I shall add some social advice too if that's okay. I have always been fully specced into drop ships with no suit skills. I have done this in every build and still am. How is relevant to tanking? I run with tankers. Usually two of them. If you run with a drop ship he can tell you where the enemy tanks are even which way the turret is facing well before you can see him or he even sees you. I can report swarmes and forge positions. Another thing we do is fly in early. DELIBERATELY get swarmed then leave. A DS can suck up the attention and AV fire of your enemies. So make some DS friends.

Try get some air support. The advantage of the reports from the sky cannot be overstated.

On a slightly separate note, running with many tankers as I do I hear a lot of disrespect for long range rail tanks. Those that do it from the red line are considered by many to be cheap and low in skill. I watch many tank battles from the air and the respected tankers are the ones I see who display skill at supporting the infantry, get into the fight (wisely no all gung ho) and work as a team with other vehicles on the ground and air. I have tried long range railing and its too easy.

If you want respect, don't range rail.

Hierarchy of tank builds in relation to how hard it is to get kills with a certain build

1) 25:0 with a rail; all kills within 50m (this is the hardest possible thing to learn)
2) 25:0 with missiles (fairly straightforward, but missiles have very low splash damage)
3) 25:0 with blasters (easy weapon, but you do put yourself in considerable danger due to the short effective range of the turret)
4) 25:0 with rails beyond 200m (dont be this guy, but be able to do it)

me too more of a challange =more phun

Well who do you think has been tag-teaming every tank post with you for the last week? lol

Now I'm sad. :(

Who has told you of my secret identity as not being an internet girl!?
-Alt #4...I have a few bc I get banned...3 times now