I just got into this, great on-line game! Working on the Russian tanks, upgrading as best I can, without spending any actual cash.

Yep, 3 players only for a platoon. Still beats going solo. If you want to clan-war, you need at least half of your guys on tier 9 tanks, else you don't stand a chance.

I used to be part of the SimHQ group but only a few members and not online too often so switched.

the engagement range in this game is a joke. get a larger environment. real ballistics(not some auto range adjust bs) and this might just be fun. in it's current state, it's more like tank quake.

Are you saying the engagement range is short? Have you tried playing on the El Halluf map? That is a big open environment. Most of the time though, it's the terrain that gets in the way.

Having said that, there are lots of complaints regarding line-of-sight and camo issues in the game. And you'll notice your tank only has a certain "sight range," meaning if it's further out than that, you will not see the opposing tank.

This is almost the 'perfect game' for me.It's simple to play,not requiring too much skill.Perfect for when I've had enough of the 'realism' of SB Pro et al.
It is fun,although a bit of a slog through the research trees.
Playing with clan-mates is a right laugh via a platoon using TS.

I have played it non-stop for the last 3 nights,starting at 7 and ending up going to bed after midnight.I see tanks in my sleep.
When I watch youtube movies on WoT I try to change my view with the mouse.I need a break.

I only have issue with the cammo system... Once I've spotted a tank, it should not just dissappear once it goes behind a tree, or bushes or something and sits for a while. I should still be able to spot it! I've seen enemy tanks by the flag from a distance, then they just sit there and they disappear on me until someone else spots them or they move... I understand they are trying to model the limited viewing from inside the tank, with an outside view system that exists in the game, but there are real issues with how it's done.

I think the logic is that someone else on your team sees the tank and radios its location back to you. If YOU spotted the tank and it moves behind cover, you "know" it is there for only a short time. If you do not "see" it again due to cover, it "disappears" because you do not know if it is still there or not.

For instance, you are at the very back of the map and an enemy is at the very front. One of your team mates goes to scout. If either/both of you got a good radio, he will be able to "radio back" to you the target enemy's position. If not, he will see it but not you. Thus it is important for scouts to have good radios.

Your view is not different in or out of the tank, meaning you will not see targets further if you opt for the external view. What affects view range is your crew skill, tank mods (binocs or optics), and any intervening terrain (bush, building, rock).

I think you are right. And I agree with Chucky in that this game represents to date a near perfect synthesis of game play and simulation with it being infinitely repeatable due to all the variables in play not the least of which is human skill and team tactics. Last night I entered a Standard Match where one of my team mates immediately complained over the lack of balance in the Matching system (the enemy had a bunch of Tier VII tanks vs our side which was dominated by Tier IV and V). Less than 7 minutes later the game was over and the middle weights (our side) had won eliminating all the opponents tanks while losing only 2 on our side.

I have seen this happen often enough to know that it is not unusual and highlights the concepts of "momentum" and team work in achieving a rapid rollup of a slow to respond opponent who may be technically superior.

I think the game does a remarkably good job with all the variables in play to allow one to enter a game and play with minimum overhead (learning, tweaking, configuring) while it has enough depth and complexity to keep you coming back for more.

Balancing is an issue for some players - they will look at the teams and say "I'm matched against a **** tank several tiers higher".

The devs have explained that the balancing takes into account the "weight" of every tank in a team. Several factors are considered in this figure, not just it's physical weight!

I enjoy the variety in the teams. No complaints here.

Vitesse is right. "Bigger" tanks are not necessarily "better." Having said that, the matchmaking sometimes has some odd moments...

This game is very easy to get into, all you need is the standard keyboard and mouse. Drive, point, shoot. As to actually winning... the tactics, coordination, and luck involved makes it very addicting.