Laddorus Sarum
Neanderthal Nation
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Posted - 2013.06.01 06:10:00 -
[1] - Quote
Sup.
This is going to be a no-BS guide that I wish I had access to when I first decided my roles. Laddorus is a heavy, and another character of mine is a armor tank. Speaking of which, special shout-out to General Grodd who let me pick his brain in-game about some aspects of HAV.
We'll start with the HAV.
Note that there are two kinds of HAVs. The shield tank, and the armor tank.
Shield tanks are:
Faster
CPU-intensive
More dependent on high module slots
Armor tanks are:
Slower
Power grid-intensive
More dependent on low module slots
Please note that I highly suggest, before spending any skill points into Caldari (Shield) or Gallente (Armor) vehicle command trees, to thoroughly play with the militia-grade Sica and Soma tanks.
I have little experience with shield tanks. They are fun, and probably the first choice I would consider as a newbie. Natural shield regeneration means less management of active modules and thus a less complicated experience for new players. Faster movement speed and better acceleration means better maneuverability and better chances at survival when **** hits the fan. Lower armor means less of a buffer-zone when your main line of defense is down.
I have some experience with armor tanks. These bad boys are made to take a beating due to their higher potential for total HP. We'll define HP as the combination of shield points and armor points. However, this doesn't mean you can blindly drive into battle and not expect to get blown to bits. It is imperative to learn how to manage your active modules, especially since your only way of regaining any lost HP (other than repair tools) is by using active repair modules. Also, since swarm launchers move faster than you and ever since players decided the LAV is better used as a GTA-style sidewalk cleaner that could only be countered with AV grenades, active armor hardeners are a necessity when being attacked by infantry or missile tanks.
General tank tactics:
As a shield tank, hit-and-runs are possible. However, I would prefer to sit back and snipe with my rail gun. Why? Early on, your shield won't have the capacity of a veteran player. Thus, you'll die. The rail gun is great to score war points, since that is your main job: take out installations, enemy vehicles, enemy infantry - in that order.
As an armor tank, don't stop. Every once in a while to mow down infantry with your blaster is fine, but otherwise it takes far too long to get up to speed and you do not want to be caught with your figurative armor repairing/hardening pants down. Yes, you can take a beating, but does that always mean you should?
Hang behind infantry. Why else are they being paid? If you've ever played Starcraft, consider yourself as the Protoss Carrier, but with your own personal weapon. You sit back, take some damage, look pretty, while your fleet runs in like hungry piranhas and devours the enemy. You are a deadly distraction. You provide cover and support.
Know your limits. Tanks are expensive, and sometimes it is better to play in a MLT Frontline suit rather than lose a couple million ISK in a game. Your K/D can't buy you nice things, but ISK can.
Play conservatively. Hell, this is advice for every player.
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