Rookie needs advice on what line to grind

[OnkelAlfa 45]

Good day WoTlabs.

 

 

First a big thanks to you all for posting these numerous threads an replays with info that a new tank player like myself can spend his evenings reading.

 

 

Then a short introduction of myself: I´m 30 years old, been playing competitively Esports games online since i was 13 (started with Action Quake 2, then Q3, CS and then 10 years with WoW (S1 gladiator, numerous realm first on the PvE scene and so forth), and besides that 20 years of playing soccer IRL. So i know the general about teamplay, making calls, communication etc.

 

Ive recently been made a dad, so i no longer play WoW with its time consuming setup, and a good friend of mine introduced me to WoT.

 

 

I found WoTlabs at around 1k battles, and been trying to mimic the info i read here, in my games played. However with only limited succes imo. I did join a casual "rookie" clan, and have done quite abit of random games with those guys, which i must say have hurt my IS-3 score a lot.

 

 

Back to the question:

 

 

Ive recently gotten my first tier X, an IS-7. I really like this tank, for the first 50 games i had 60ish WR %, but it has fallen down to 55ish now (all solo).

 

 

 

I am looking for a new line to grind, i had thought it should be the T-57 line, as i already have the M41 Bulldog, and opened up to the M49.

 

However i look at the missions, and though I've done most of the TD missions with my Hetzer, i dont see myself doing 3k dmg at any point. So i would need to get some higher TD for those. Also, i have no decent medium either (T54 mod1 prot, does not count - hate that thing).

 

 

Ive read garbads ranking of mediums and TDs, and i wonder if that still stands correct?

 

 

Should i go the WT e100 line? or maybe the batchat? Or perhaps something entirely different is more suitable for me to become a better player?

 

(I have the secret wish to one day, when im ready, play clan wars, strongholds etc, as it is mostly the team orientating things in games that makes the fun for me.)

 

 

I will be thankful for any advice or comment.

 

 

Regards

 

 

Onkel

[Britzz 500]

First, welcome to the forums

I would suggest you go for a non autoloading line, since it is a bit easier to learn. With this battlecount you still have to master the mechanics and the maps, if on top of that you add managing your reloads and the map awareness needed to play an autoloader I think it could only be detrimental. HT with autoloaders are more difficult to manage, since you can't really run away like you would do in your bulldog.

Having said this I would suggest the T110E5 as for heavy tank, it is a jack of all trades and teaches you the hull down tactics during the grind. All tanks in the line are pleasant to play and once you get how to be hulldown you can perform solidly, with the exception of the M103, that doesn't have that good of a turret.

For the mediums I would go with the RU meds, they are solid tanks, they forgive you with their armour and once you can master them you can abuse that turret armour at your advantage being aggressive.

For TDs I don't have that much experience, but a pleasant line to play is the Obj. 704 line, even though you would have to settle with the T9, being the T10 not so good. I also have the JagE100, not a competitive tank, but when you hit something for 1k+ it's satisfying Let's say that for the TDs you will have to wait better advices from people that know and enjoy TDs more than me

[Errants 425]

Grind all the lines!

 

It's what I did, and what I recommend for everyone.

[OnkelAlfa 45]

Having said this I would suggest the T110E5 as for heavy tank, it is a jack of all trades

 

 

I have tried the T110E5 limited, in the dominance setup. Ofc that is far from a normal game, but it feels bit too much like my IS-7. I would prefer grinding something that is different in its play style, but also still viable in hopefully future CWs.

 

 

I don´t know much about the obj 704, ill read up on that. Thanks!

 

 

 

Grind all the lines!

 

 

That won´t ever happen, then id be looking at 1+ year before id get another T10, which is too long. 

 

 

 

Thanks for your advices tho .

 

 

 

Bonus info: 

 

I have roughly 200k free exp waiting to be converted next time WG offers a better conversion ratio. That will likely increase, so i would be able to skip most of the "lower" tiers or specific tanks in a line, that id likely not enjoy.

Edited June 6, 2015 by OnkelAlfa

[#NightWolf5628 58]

First, welcome to the forums

I would suggest you go for a non autoloading line, since it is a bit easier to learn. With this battlecount you still have to master the mechanics and the maps, if on top of that you add managing your reloads and the map awareness needed to play an autoloader I think it could only be detrimental. HT with autoloaders are more difficult to manage, since you can't really run away like you would do in your bulldog.

Having said this I would suggest the T110E5 as for heavy tank, it is a jack of all trades and teaches you the hull down tactics during the grind. All tanks in the line are pleasant to play and once you get how to be hulldown you can perform solidly, with the exception of the M103, that doesn't have that good of a turret.

For the mediums I would go with the RU meds, they are solid tanks, they forgive you with their armour and once you can master them you can abuse that turret armour at your advantage being aggressive.

For TDs I don't have that much experience, but a pleasant line to play is the Obj. 704 line, even though you would have to settle with the T9, being the T10 not so good. I also have the JagE100, not a competitive tank, but when you hit something for 1k+ it's satisfying Let's say that for the TDs you will have to wait better advices from people that know and enjoy TDs more than me

 

Really good advice by him. The most similar tank line to IS7 would probably be Chinese. They are almost identical apart from T5 and T6 tanks which are meds.

WZ-111-1-4 is a op IS8, 50 more alpha and better dpm. Much better armour aswell. Heard alot of good stuff about it, same with E75 and ST-I. 113 is considered 

lackluster by some, but it would seem enjoyable to me.

 

With the mention of those two, I'd definitely say E100/IS-4 as well. I really enjoyed the IS-4 line, every single tank. You might not enjoy it though,their T6-T9 exchange alot of speed for alot of armour.

 

Tiger I is either decent or op, AMAZING gun but pretty bad armour. Tiger II is mixed, also haven't played either of them :/

E75 is kinda like a IS8, but relies more on sidescraping, and I think an even faster turning speed. E100 in my opinion,isn't very good except for pub battles. 

 

Save your free exp to either get through every tier up to T4, T5 is enjoyable for me, same with T6. T7 is just nessescary. Then use free exp for modules aswell. 

Or use ONLY free exp on modules, but grind through all the tier except maybe T3. But it's your preference.

 

Good Luck!

 

P.S. My only T10 is IS4 so don't take my word for it on the other tank lines.

[OnkelAlfa 45]

WZ-111-1-4 is a op IS8, 50 more alpha and better dpm. Much better armour aswell. Heard alot of good stuff about it, same with E75 and ST-I. 113 is considered  lackluster by some, but it would seem enjoyable to me.   With the mention of those two, I'd definitely say E100/IS-4 as well. I really enjoyed the IS-4 line, every single tank. You might not enjoy it though,their T6-T9 exchange alot of speed for alot of armour.

 

Of the two you mention the only one id chose is the E100, and it is indeed very much in my view. However, id like to get a medium or TD before going for another heavy. I already have the KV-4 unlocked, and did enjoy the sidescrabing in both my T150 and the KV-3 (did the 8k blocked/dmg mission in my KV-3), but i have not read that much good about the IS-4 in reference to CWs.

 

 

I´ve recently found RBS´s article on CW ready tanks http://wotlabs.net/articles/best-tanks-clan-wars/ 

 

If the info from that article still stands, ill be looking more into the RU meds and the Bat.

 

 

 

Again thanks for taking the time to give me your views.

 

Regards  Onkel

[Kristoffon 53]

E100 is the best heavy in the game (or at worst, tied), all the tanks in the line are good, get on with it already.

 

The Hetzer line is solid but IMO the WTE100 line is more fun, well at least up to the Borsig where I sit, which is ridiculously op if you figure out how to play a slow ass paper tank, having a turret in a td is just... awesome. The pitfall being the tier 7, the Sturer Emil, which is a dog that can barely outrun a tree (comes with an amazing gun though). I kept my sanity through the Emil grind (free xp the gun) and the Borsig was worth every game in that turd. Also the WTF100 gets use in CW which the JPE100 barely does.

 

Final tip: pay attention when the 9.9 public test comes out, download it and try all the tier 10s yourself

[CraBeatOff 5,741]

Your gaming history is virtually identical to my own.

Go for a true medium line. Classic t-34 to 62A/140. There is no better place to learn mediums and the lessons up that line are well staged.

[EchelonIII 1,255]

If in doubt, US heavies or Mediums, easy to learn, easy to play, maximum comfort

I made a post ranking the tank lines with regard to the ease of learning and grinding, it's been more than a year though so it's a bit off (esp stuff like the TDs)

I've changed the category names to suit the ease of playing instead of actual quality

 

Maximum Comfort

E5 - US Unnerfables

M48 - US Classic Comfort

IS-7 - USSR W+M1

 

Easy Mode

E100 - German Blueprint Tanks

113 - China will grow larger

JPE - German Phallic Cannons

62A - USSR T54_bestmed_NA

183 - UK Clickers

E50M - German Heavy mediums

268 - USSR Easy DPM

 

Hard Labor

E4 - US Fake Heavies

IS4 - USSR Failmaus

E3 - US Point 'n Click

263 - USSR E3 Edition

 

Play 4 Unfun

215B - UK Bunkers

WTFE - German HE magnet

50B - French Pseudomediums

430 - USSR Pancakes

Maus - Fascist Box Tanks

121 - Chinese Bad Knockoffs

57 - US French Tryhards

 

Potato Class

STB1 - Japanese Kaiju Tank

Leo1 - German Light mediums

BC25 - French Pseudolights

F155 - French 263 Wannabes

[OnkelAlfa 45]

The Hetzer line is solid but IMO the WTE100 line is more fun, well at least up to the Borsig where I sit,

 

 

Yes, there is no doubt in my mind that i want a TD with a turret. The Hetzer is fun for its tier, with that insane 400 dmg gun.

 

However, i can´t see myself go further up that line, a friend have up to the Ferdinand which I've tried, and that play style was´nt for me. The Borsig looks really fun indeed, and will be the line i go for eventually for a TD.

 

Final tip: pay attention when the 9.9 public test comes out, download it and try all the tier 10s yourself

 

I play on a Mac, having borrowed my windows laptop to a friend that had his pc crash. When 9.8 public test was out i didn't see an option to download a Mac version(?), sound advice tho. Ill do that if i get my windows laptop back.

 

Your gaming history is virtually identical to my own. Go for a true medium line. Classic t-34 to 62A/140. There is no better place to learn mediums and the lessons up that line are well staged.

 

 

 

Would that still be the case if i decide to go the T-54 lwt. line ? (Just to grap the T-54 lwt. for team battles, or should i go the true medium line?). Remember that i will like "cheat" and throw free xp at it, to ease the grind.

 

 

However between you and 

 62A - USSR T54_bestmed_NA

 

 

Much seems in favor for the RU mediums. From what i gather they are good at CWs aswell? (Which is the ultimate goal).

 

 

 

I have no doubt that i can raise myself above tomato level, and my first 105 games in my IS-7 is at 1620 wn8 with 55%. That is by no mean enough for me, but it makes me trust that i will at one point be semi decent, as I´ve been in all games that i have played. So please don´t withhold tanks from the perspective that they may be harder to master, i will learn it from replays, streams, articles and forums.

 

 

 

Thanks again everyone.

 

 

Onkel

[HS5 139]

Can't go wrong with RU meds, good for randoms and always use in CW. If you are going to play in randoms then I would recommend going through medium line, but if you want/can play a lot of team battles or SH then lights might be better as you can grind T54lt there and only need to play in randoms until that. And you get T54lt which is pretty much the thing to have in team battles and SH. You might have a bit problem with crews as if you progress from T54lt you really want to keep your crew in that so you need a new crew for T54. But then again T54 is pretty ok even with new crew, I think I have grinded two new crews with T54(while still maintaining 69 % winrate). And from T54 you can open both T62 and O140 so if you want CW tanks fast that is pretty much easiest way to do it.

[EchelonIII 1,255]

The gloriousness of the T-54 is the sole reason the RU Med line is amazing, the T-43 and T-44 are relatively meh for the tier, but the T-54 is so good that grinding out 2 CW-grade TXes in it is an absolute pleasure.

[OnkelAlfa 45]

RU meds it is then. 

 

 

 

I have the T54-prot 1, which i have a crew i can move over in the T54, when i reach that. I will most likely free xp all the way to T54lwt, and then grind on from there (i do enjoy playing scout in my M41 Bulldog, in random games).

 

 

Mean while i will slowly start up in the WT line, and likely use some free xp to skip some of the stock guns.

 

 

 

Thank you all for your advice, you helped a ton

 

 

Regards 

 

Onkel

[OnkelAlfa 45]

A small update of thanks, for making me head towards the russian medium line.

 

Ive nearly unlocked the obj 140 (and with discount now = uber bonus!), and i must say that the t54 is a great tank, that i will defiantly keep even after unlocking both the 140 and t62a.

 

Being a rookie, im really happy with how i play in this tank and the amount of fun i have.

 

I don´t have any friends playing t9+ so I've played it solo @ 146 battles at 55% wr and 1877 wn8, which to me seems a reasonable end goal. 

 

end of update, and another thanks for the advices

[exafro 2]

I just ground up to the T-54 as my first tier 9. I actually really enjoyed every tank in the line so far. T-34 + T-34-85 are borderline OP. T-43 is a fun little flanking monster, and the T-44 is pretty good too. I have managed a ~60% winrate in all of these solo, and I'm not even that great of a player. Definitely go up a RU med line, you will not regret it.

[OnkelAlfa 45]

Hey exafro

 

As i posted above, i did go for the RU medium, which is enjoyable :). I have the 140 and are lacking 90k xp for the 62a.

 

In the meantime, i have swapped clan to some more likeminded players, that do CW/SH. Highly enjoyable, and i am happy that i went up through the T54 lwt. so that i can use that in tier 8s.

 

On the advice from my new buddies, I've gone up the T110E4 line (just unlocked T28p), and the Batchat line (halfway through the 1390).

 

Both lines are treating me well, and have basically helped me stat pad a bit ;).

 

 

Next thing ill go for will be the 50b.

[Itchi 402]

 (just unlocked T28p)....

....and have basically helped me stat pad a bit 

 

 28p is tough, be ready for many dumpster games. 

[OnkelAlfa 45]

 28p is tough, be ready for many dumpster games. 

I do dread it  - not moved on from the T25/2 yet, i had a small hope for a little while that i would be able to get 3 marks on it, but i guess lll have to admit that it will take more than i can do now, to make it past 87%ish that i hover at now.

 

Perhaps i should just make the move and take the beatings that come from it

[OnkelAlfa 45]

New update.

 

Used free xp half way through t28p - hated that thing. Did  TD15.2 in my third t30 game. Fun gun.

 

Then I finished the 1390 grind and used free xp past the Lorraine 40t. Kept my 1390 crew and put 3 girls in the BC25.

 

I now wonder if I should use the next 60k free xp on getting a US arty or start on the amx 50b line.

 

Now for the more important question:

My wn8 goes up, padded some by the Cromwell B, that I bought for cw and grinding credits. I also believe I padded on the 1390 (did get 2 moe, disliked it tho and used at least 3 mil credits shooting gold on it)

My win rate are improving, but is still far lower than I would like. I watch Zeven's stream (and sela + others).

 

What skills and/or awareness should I focus on improving?

 

Regards Onkel

[Itchi 402]

New update.

 

Used free xp half way through t28p - hated that thing. Did  TD15.2 in my third t30 game. Fun gun.

 

Then I finished the 1390 grind and used free xp past the Lorraine 40t. Kept my 1390 crew and put 3 girls in the BC25.

 

I now wonder if I should use the next 60k free xp on getting a US arty or start on the amx 50b line.

 

Now for the more important question:

My wn8 goes up, padded some by the Cromwell B, that I bought for cw and grinding credits. I also believe I padded on the 1390 (did get 2 moe, disliked it tho and used at least 3 mil credits shooting gold on it)

My win rate are improving, but is still far lower than I would like. I watch Zeven's stream (and sela + others).

 

What skills and/or awareness should I focus on improving?

 

Regards Onkel

For starters, make your mini map 2x as large as the default size (if you haven't already)

[OnkelAlfa 45]

I already have that. Good point tho, thanks. 

[OnkelAlfa 45]

Since my last post my recent have gone up to 55% and the curve is going up. So hurra :). I guess i am improving at the least.

 

Besides that i have now improved my overall with 5 % total, from 46% when i discovered wotlabs to now 51% straight! Really happy about that improvement. Thanks to everyone contributing to wotlabs!

 

I finally did the T28C missions, and moved on to the T55a. Having girl crews in my obj 140 and the bat chat.

 

About the next tanks that i am grinding, I decided not to go for the AMX 50b, but pick up the T110E5 line, where i am currently on the T29 (great tank, very fun).

 

I also skipped the last 50k+ xp on the T28p and got the T30. The T30 is luckily a lot of fun, and i enjoy every battle in it.

 

As for artillery i REALLY dislike it it. I picked up the tier VI US arty, and boy is playing artillery boring. Not only that, i also seem to suck at it. I get bored and loose all focus, and basically is a liability to my team. Atleast thats how it feels.

 

So for now i will not be doing the arty missions. That thing will be parked in the garage.

[Archaic_One 1,853]

The T29 is my most played tank, I still play it at least once every session even though Ive ground out the E5.

[OnkelAlfa 45]

Time to a small update:

 

I´ve sort of plateaued my recents stats. In the late fall/early winter i was upholding 2150-2200 recent wn8 with 58-59% wr. That fell all the way to 53% wr and same wn8 here at Christmas. I guess I just played shit and basically unfocused..

 

Ive sort of picked up my game again the last few weeks, now at 2270 recent wn8 and improving my wr again (only 55% still, but 7day stats are better).

Ive set some goals for myself until summer, namely:

 

Get done grinding E100 before easter (missing 100k xp).

Get the AMX 50b before summer vacation (half way through AMX 50 100).

Get 3 full crew skills on the Rudy, and move that crew to the T62a (unlocked, not bought).

 

Besides that i hope to bring my recent WR up to atleast 58% and my recent wn8 into the uniscum level.

 

Last but not least:

A question to the experienced CW players

I have the following tanks in my garage: T110E5, T110E4, Obj 140, IS-7, BatChat with E100, 50b and T62a in the pipe line.

 

What should my next goal be? 

 

I was thinking either the Action X or the obj 263 ? (I have a close to 5 skill cromwell B crew for the Action X and bought the ISU-122s to train a TD crew).

 

Or are there some other relevant tank that I am missing?

 

 

Thanks for reading

/ Onkelalfa

 

[OnkelAlfa 45]

TL:DR:

 

A question to the experienced CW players

I have the following tanks in my garage: T110E5, T110E4, Obj 140, IS-7, BatChat with E100, 50b and T62a in the pipe line.

 

What should my next goal be? 

 

I was thinking either the Action X or the obj 263 ? (I have a close to 5 skill cromwell B crew for the Action X and bought the ISU-122s to train a TD crew).

 

Or are there some other relevant tank that I am missing?