What could I have done here that woulud have been more help? Strb 103B, Redshire

[Nicarasu 33]

Even though I was top in this battle on my team for damage, I feel my contribution was utterly useless. Is there anything I could have done better? I suck at this map in general, and it seems this tank is cursed for me.

http://wotreplays.eu/site/5572830?secret=d15abe5e4c427c86bc60bd7081c24545

[kolni 69,670,753]

Here are my thoughts during the game, I tried to treat it as if I went into the game so if the criticism's a bit a hard:

Post-view thoughts:

1. Get rid of that ridiculous 30x sniper mouse swipe memory you have. (You're looking at the minimap and orienting in the right direction is my first guess?) You miss things you never would have in arcade and I believe it was about 1,5k on map unawareness alone - even from your (not ideal) positioning. That turns this into an OK game for a loss, just on awareness alone. Kran is a good example - I would have killed that guy the first time around so he would have gotten one less clip off that game. Your E4 would still be alive and could get 1-2 more shots off, which brings me to the next thing:
2. Look at the bigger picture more. Chain reactions need to be a part of your thought process. 9-0 was winnable this game the second the Chieftain showed mid. That's information that normally wouldn't be assumed so the average Redshire game doesn't look the same anymore. You're now less likely to win middle - but more likely to win 9-0. Redshire is about map control, as an Strv you need to think about where your best position is RIGHT NOW, not just when entering battle. I do this every 5 seconds, minimap check and brain checks get part of your muscle memory eventually too. This could have been the difference that turned this from a snowballing loss to an even fight.
3. You are an Strv. What's the purpose of this tank? It's dealing damage. That is literally the entire point of the tank - so equip for it. When an enemy makes a mistake, unlike other TDsm you need to get more than a single shot off to make their mistake into an advantage. 0,1s matters here. 
4. No food is outright stupid - don't play the Strv if you can't afford to max it economically - it's purpose kinda defeats itself when it's not utilized optimally for it's purpose. If you played a Grille here for example. your game could have been pretty good with your identical positioning and shots you took excluding not backing up in open without a spotted 183 on the map - that can and will sometimes end your game completely. It's not often but it happens - see it coming.
5. Positioning - I saw a potential 7k game when 9-0 (that's 2 minutes before you died and the game was over) was collaping with several two shot tanks - you didn't notice. I can't tell if I was right, but I saw a chance that I could take. These decisions is what can turn games around. Strv's are great for doing just that. The dream of tanks running into you one by one can happen here if you play it out right but your positioning didn't allow for it so the chance won't appear. 

I hope I gave you a better understanding of how to play this tank. You have mechanics, awareness, decision making and positioning to work on to play this tank in the best way.

[Nicarasu 33]

3 hours ago, kolni said:

Here are my thoughts during the game, I tried to treat it as if I went into the game so if the criticism's a bit a hard:

Post-view thoughts:

1. Get rid of that ridiculous 30x sniper mouse swipe memory you have. (You're looking at the minimap and orienting in the right direction is my first guess?) You miss things you never would have in arcade and I believe it was about 1,5k on map unawareness alone - even from your (not ideal) positioning. That turns this into an OK game for a loss, just on awareness alone. Kran is a good example - I would have killed that guy the first time around so he would have gotten one less clip off that game. Your E4 would still be alive and could get 1-2 more shots off, which brings me to the next thing:
2. Look at the bigger picture more. Chain reactions need to be a part of your thought process. 9-0 was winnable this game the second the Chieftain showed mid. That's information that normally wouldn't be assumed so the average Redshire game doesn't look the same anymore. You're now less likely to win middle - but more likely to win 9-0. Redshire is about map control, as an Strv you need to think about where your best position is RIGHT NOW, not just when entering battle. I do this every 5 seconds, minimap check and brain checks get part of your muscle memory eventually too. This could have been the difference that turned this from a snowballing loss to an even fight.
3. You are an Strv. What's the purpose of this tank? It's dealing damage. That is literally the entire point of the tank - so equip for it. When an enemy makes a mistake, unlike other TDsm you need to get more than a single shot off to make their mistake into an advantage. 0,1s matters here. 
4. No food is outright stupid - don't play the Strv if you can't afford to max it economically - it's purpose kinda defeats itself when it's not utilized optimally for it's purpose. If you played a Grille here for example. your game could have been pretty good with your identical positioning and shots you took excluding not backing up in open without a spotted 183 on the map - that can and will sometimes end your game completely. It's not often but it happens - see it coming.
5. Positioning - I saw a potential 7k game when 9-0 (that's 2 minutes before you died and the game was over) was collaping with several two shot tanks - you didn't notice. I can't tell if I was right, but I saw a chance that I could take. These decisions is what can turn games around. Strv's are great for doing just that. The dream of tanks running into you one by one can happen here if you play it out right but your positioning didn't allow for it so the chance won't appear. 

I hope I gave you a better understanding of how to play this tank. You have mechanics, awareness, decision making and positioning to work on to play this tank in the best way.

I appreciate the feedback here, I had been running food up to today when I got screwed over by a fire, so I got mad and put AFE on there. As for equipment, what would you recommend? Currently I have rammer, binocs, and camo nets on there. I do have some bond vents in my depot, maybe?

As for the positioning and map awareness, that's something I'm definitely trying to improve, so that advice is especially helpful, I super appreciate that.

I don't know that map super well, or at least not the TD spots on it, I'm sure you could see my indecision there towards the end. I didn't actually know that there was a good spot to hide at the back on 9/0, I'll definitely keep that info in my back pocket for next time.

Also, I hadn't ever considered that looking around in sniper mode a lot would be detrimental, thanks for pointing that out.

[GehakteMolen 2,014]

Yeah, the 30x zoom is claustrofobic ^^