World of Tanks - New Player Guide

[mmorpgcenter]

Basics:

Controls:

W: Forwards
S: Backwards
A: Turn Left
D: Turn Right
R: Auto Accelerate
F: Auto Reverse

Shift: Turret View "sniper view" / Top view for SPG's
Space: Quick stop you continue moving after you press again or after you fire.
Return/Enter: Team chat
Return/Enter + Ctrl: chat to all (doesnt work in Closed Beta, write the message and click on message to all)
Left click: Fire
Right click: Auto lock target (only works if you have target highlighted.)If you hold right click (just in front of you) you can rotate your view without moving the turret.
Scroll wheel: Zoom in and out
Number keys 1-4: Selects ammo type
F1: Help screen
F2-F7: Auto chat comments pressing F1 in game will explain these and the above.
Space: Quick stop you continue moving after you press again or after you fire.
Shift is also a "top view" for SPGs.

General tips:

Gold: The best use for gold right now is to save it and buy a premium account which will earn you more xp or credits than if you traded it for either (so long as you can put the time in after buying the premium account.)

Selling tanks: Although this should be patched soon make sure you take your crew out of your tank before selling it or you will lose the crew and all the experience they had.

Artillery defense: In the early stages against light tanks artillery is very effective but it is limited by it's arc of fire meaning if you are close to a object be it a cliff or a house say on your right side and the artillery is also right side it is virtually impossible for the artillery to get the right arc of fire to be able to hit you. However if the artillery is to your left and it's a open space the object to your right will be of no use defending you.

Artillery attack: Try to never approach artillery head on it's the easiest way for artillery to get a fix on you and fire. Artillery has a big problem with turning and keeping a steady lock close as fast as possible and try to stay out of direct sight of his gun by turning around and around his position firing at him you can briefly pause if you are at his sides or rear for a more steady shot.

The best tip I can give you for artillery is to play it a few games and you will see the problems it faces and can quickly learn to use them to your own advantage.

Light tanks: Light tanks are everyone's eyes especially the artillery which rely on them to spot targets for them. The best use for them is to rush the enemy positions and weave and dodge enemy fire giving your team much needed intel on where the enemy is heading and opening up the chance to get some long range shots in for a crucial starting edge. They are also extremely important if you can get to the enemy base and take out the enemy artillery early in the game.

Keeping the above in mind light tanks are extremely important to scout the enemy but at the same time all rushing off and dying early on is also a bad idea as you leave your heavier tanks alone and they will struggle to see the enemy with the shorter view range they have sticking with a heavy tank turns a blind monster in to a heavy demon now he can see further with your help.

A big mistake I see light tanks making is rushing and then stopping to fight a tank that is of a better class than them ie light vs medium remember your limits of you will end up a smoldering wreck in no time.

[ElcomeSoft]

A really nice gentle guide to break people in to World of Tanks. I have recently written a few in-depth World of Tanks guides, each covering specific tank classes, available on my site.

They are coming out with an update very soon to include US Tanks

[Jilted]

I never heard of Word of Tanks before, did some search about it, looks amazing, I also see they are still in beta testing.
So, this will be a free MMORPG or not?

[ElcomeSoft]

Free to play with microtransactions for Premium Account (+50% credits, +50% experience per battle), certain one-time use consumables, experience transfer, enhanced crew training, buying extra tank slots and certain, more powerful ammo.

Consumables and gold ammo are most likely reserved for clan battles. No-one uses them in standard battles because they are not cheap and gold has better uses, even in closed beta with free gold

I have heard that 2,500 gold, the equivalent of 30 days premium account, will set you back between 10 and 15 USD.

[Jilted]

Seems like a pretty good deal. I got to admit the idea is unique and the game looks fantastic.

[rad3zy]

The game is wild. I play it when I have some spear time and while I was browsing the web, I found this:

http://www.mydaily-gadget.com/featur...-win-a-t-shirt

It's a website where you can post some questions to the game developers and, if they are good, you win a free World of Tank T-Shirt.

[vjgamer]

I agree, this is a 1-2-3 for noobs...

[ForTheCity]

this is good and easy to read. thx. still can't get into tanks tho.