So you're diving into your first battles, that's great! Let me offer you three quick tips that will help you do better right away.
1. Don't block a teammate's retreat
I even see people in higher tier battles break this rule occasionally. When you're in battle, especially if you're "side-scraping" (That means using the side of your tank, at a steep angle to the opponent, from cover, to bounce shots) it's really important that you can back up quickly when you need to. There are few things more frustrating than hitting "S" on your keyboard and finding that you can't back up because a teammate has pulled up right behind you.
Blocking a teammate like that almost guarantees they're going to take damage, and many times get killed, because they can't get back into cover. That just hurts your team and pisses off the teammate you hung out to dry.
In battle if you pull up to a teammate, pull alongside them or stay well back leaving them plenty of room to back up into cover if they need to. Just like in your car - don't tailgate.
2. Don't camp
New tankers can sometimes be a little tentative and just crawl into the nearest bush at the start and sit there at the spawn (see below) waiting for a red tank to come along. That's called "camping" and is a pretty good way to lose. While you're sitting there in the spawn area your teammates are now 1 tank short-handed on the battlefield. The only time you're likely to get to do anything is when your team has been beaten and the enemy is rolling into your base - now you're outnumbered and likely to get quickly killed.
Get out into the battle! That's where the action is, that's where the fun is. Plus you can actually do some good out there. Not sure where to go? Then follow the herd. Chances are at least some of your teammates are familiar with the map. Follow them, learn from what they do, and help them.
This is especially true if you're in a tank (as opposed to an artillery or a tank destroyer). Can't tell you how many times I've seen guys in speedy light tanks just hiding behind a rock in the base during the battle. Useless waste.
Exceptions: There are a couple of maps and a couple of scenarios where hunkering down near the spawn or base is o.k. For example:
- If you're in an SPG (artillery) then you're not going to go roaming around the map very often. In that case you're expected to find a hiding place in the rear to take shots from.
- If you're in a tank destroyer (TD) on a map like Abbey or Mines there can be some value in taking up a strategic support position near the spawn or base, on high ground, where you can take shots at enemies across the map.
- If you're in an assault match and you're playing defense then there's much less call for running out into the countryside. Taking up a smart defensive position in cover where you can shoot oncoming red tanks is usually a good idea in that kind of fight.
As a general rule, however, getting out into the battle is how you'll earn more XP, earn more credits and gain more experience. Sitting in a bush by the spawn just wastes time and hurts your team.
3. Work together
Especially when you're new, one of the easiest ways to get sent back to the garage (i.e. killed) fast is to just go charging off on your own. World of Tanks is a team game, at least on some level, and you'll have the most success when you work well with the rest of your team. Communicate on chat, platoon when you can, but if you haven't done any of those things then just pick a teammate - maybe the top tier on your team - and be their wingman.
The most important thing you can do while being their wingman is don't get in their way. First and foremost see tip #1 above - never block their retreat. Try not to get in front of them and block their shot either, if you can help it.
If you're in a faster tank consider driving a little ways ahead of your teammate so you can spot for them. If not try running with them (but don't get in the way) and shoot at the same red tanks they do. If you get in a good rhythm you can shoot while they're reloading, and vice-versa, to help cover each other. If nothing else you give the red tanks somebody else to shoot at while your teammate deals with them.
At the very least you can trail behind them and watch their back in case any enemies try to flank them.
Almost every time I've had a successful battle it's been because our team worked together well, coordinating fire, spotting and making it hard for enemies to flank.
Now...go be epic.
Term of the Day: "Spawn"
A regular feature I want to do is a "term of the day" where I help you get up to speed on terminology you'll see in the game.
This week the term is "Spawn". Put simply the spawn is the place (or places) on the map where you and your team start the battle. Often, but not always, that's at, or very near to, your base. But in some battles you won't have a base and in some battles your team may have two or even three spawning areas.
Whenever you hear the term "spawn" just know that it's the place on the map where you and your team started the battle.
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