Fireline
Side by side. Sometimes slightly wedged formation. First tank takes best (inner corner) position. Other tanks fall into place. Trade shots with enemies. Can be done aggressively, semi aggressively or defensive.
Please note that the position of the first tank usually is not smack on the corner but usually a few meters from it. This adheres to the general "be on level ground" rule when in platoon and the main reason is to always have manuverability, more easily get firing angles even on retracting enemy and to simply not get stuck on the corner or lose speed. Keep formation even while advancing or retracting! Try to think of "imaginary rail tracks" running along the route we are going. Don't go in the path of your team mate! This is called a moving fireline! Minimap
Do I even have to say it? Use it! --> Do we have a lot of tanks in the side we are going? Well, push harder! Do we have a few tanks in the side we are going? Stay further back!
As a platoon we should play more carefully then when solo playing as our capacity to carry games is much higher(!). An important implementation of this is to not overextend (if not part of a baiting tactic) or put yourself in a position where you can't relocate (especially important for mediums early in the game). The minmap can also be used as a lazy mans rear view mirror. For example lets say you are guarding a field, aiming in that direction. If a red dot suddenly appears behind or near you...then you know there is an enemy there without having to turn the camera the whole time right... Don't get hit by arty
Note: As of patch 9.18 arty is not really a danger in higher tiers. More of a nuesence. However...in lower tiers they can still be dangerous so I will leave the old text here.
Easier said then done but dont underestimate the power of randomness. Play an arty and try to hit an idiot player. Exactly! You can't hit him! Because he is moving like if a monkey and his brother are at the controls. Adapt normal arty avoiding techniques. Stay arty safe. Point your "aim-beam" on the minimap towards suspected arty location. Have a mountain or other terrain/obstacles between you and the line of fire from the arty. Don't be spotted too many times or for too long in the same place....doh. Be careful! Assume the arty is always aiming for you if you dont have other information. Remember...as a platoon we can carry later. Don't die. In some cases use spall liner. Map tactics
This ofcourse depends on the map but there are things that seem to apply to many maps. One thing is that there is generally a left and a right side. Then one of the sides is usually easier to defend while the other side is easier to push. Generally we will go with most of the platoon in the "pushable" side.
Note that it is not always the best to keep the platoon together. It depends on what map we are playing at, what tanks we use and what tanks we are fighting against amongst other things. Again...winning the game is the highest priority...not saving our own asses. It is quite common that we adapt a 2+1 split of the platoon. On extremely campy maps or in endgame scenarios on large maps we even all stay at distance but still within sniping range so that we can all "crossfire", spot and bait for each other. Try to learn the "stages" of the maps. A stage is usually a "corner" which when moving past it can not easily be returned to. Before passing a stage the platoon generally needs to communicate or be "ordered" to advance. There can be different stages on a map in the beginning of the game compared to in the end-game but usually they are similar. Sacrifice
Some manuevers will require this. Maybe more enemies then expected will appear but still all our decisions should be as "right" as possible.
Naturally we will try to help a platoon mate in need...even if he "overextended" by mistake...but only to a certain degree. The whole platoon should not die because of "sympathetical reasons". If part of the platoon can relocate and survive they should do so. |
Pushing on targets
Sometimes we will expose ourselves more to enemy fire than usual. This is called pushing on the enemy or focusing fire...and can be done in numerous different ways. Sometimes with our faster tanks flanking in on the enemy.
Timing is of the essence. Especially when pushing autoladers or high alpha tanks. Pay attention to teamspeak. The commander might say the name of tanks. Then theese are the targets for the push. Also be prepared for very quick changes in target focus! Normally in a push it is of PRIMARY importance to concentrate on how you and all others are driving and concentrating on how everyone will have the best shots possible on the enemy target so that he is killed as fast, effectively and even elegantly as possible while even lining up and preparing for the next target while doing it. Stay on level ground and exposed to the enemy we are attacking. Dont drive to close to corners. Of SECONDARY importance is to possibly stay in cover or partially in cover from other enemy tanks, snipers and arty. This is normally what fails in an unexperianced platoon or when platooning with less experinced platoon players and I can understand that it can take time to learn "how to drive" and also to TRUST that this actually works and that EVEN if we get punished hard the damage dealt by us or other tactical benefits will lead to victory. Also you need to understand the roles of the different tanks in theese pushes. Faster tanks flank more and usually drive further "outside" while harder tanks engage/start the push. Facehugging, sidescraping and ramming
Forget what you have learned when solo playing in random games! Sidescraping is much less used when platooning and should normally only be used if you are completely alone at a corner.
Facehugging is also not good. It prevents your team mates from shooting at the same target. Ramming as well...it falls under the same cathegory as facehugging. Added the risk of getting sniped or artied because you lost your mobility and in worst case tracks in the ram. Blocking a FAST enemy from escaping SHOULD be used though. Usually by just slightly blocking the enemy and then backing away to again open up all the firelines. Baiting
One of the most basic and classical tactics in WoT that should not only be used within the platoon but by all players in the team (if they have the brain for it).
It is pretty self explanatory but the WoT wiki describes it more in detail. Communication
This is why we are on teamspeak. Examples:
- "Arty has fired!" (If the enemy has more then one arty it can be good to say which one it was if you know. Also in some cases give a rough estimate of the position of the arty if you know.) - "Jagdtiger shot me from E5!" - "Should we push?" - "I might need help soon!" (A good heads up for the platoon mates so they can prepare and not go to far from positions where they can support you.) - "Help me!" (If you need help ASAP. Remember that you can usually support a platoon mate either by being close to him but also through snipe support at times.) - "I was spotted!" (Usually only important to say this if you are snipe supporting someone but might also be important in other cases like if you are on scout duty.) - "I am relocating/changing flank." (It is very important to give this information to your platoon buddies. ESPECIALLY if you are snipe supporting someone!) - "Can you spot the Tiger for me?" - "Panther is shooting me from your side please engage him!" - "I can't snipe him, he is in cover." - "You two go left I will go right side!" - "All tanks back to de-cap!" |