Flanking is one of the most essential and effective tactics in World of Tanks (WoT). By attacking an enemy from the sides or rear, players can exploit weaker armor and gain strategic advantages. This guide will delve into the intricacies of flanking, offering tips and strategies to enhance your gameplay and help your team achieve victory.
Understanding Flanking
Flanking involves maneuvering your tank to attack an opponent from an angle where their armor is weakest. Tanks generally have stronger frontal armor, so hitting them from the sides or rear increases the likelihood of penetrating their defenses. Flanking can disrupt enemy formations, create opportunities for your team, and significantly impact the outcome of a match.
Why Flanking is Important
- Exploiting Weak Armor: Most tanks have their thickest armor at the front, with thinner armor on the sides and rear. By flanking, you can hit these vulnerable spots, increasing your chances of inflicting damage.
- Disrupting Enemy Strategy: A successful flank can confuse and disrupt enemy plans. It forces them to split their focus, making it easier for your team to gain the upper hand.
- Gaining Tactical Positions: Flanking can help you and your team capture critical positions on the map, such as high ground or strategic choke points.
- Supporting Team Play: Coordinated flanking maneuvers can support your allies, relieve pressure on them, and create openings for coordinated attacks.
Choosing the Right Tank for Flanking
Not all tanks are equally suited for flanking. Here are some key characteristics to look for in an effective flanking tank:
- Speed and Mobility: Fast and agile tanks are ideal for flanking. They can quickly maneuver around the battlefield and reposition themselves to exploit weak points in the enemy’s defense.
- Camouflage: Tanks with good camouflage ratings can approach enemies undetected, making it easier to flank without being spotted.
- Firepower: While mobility is crucial, having a powerful gun is also important. You need to be able to deal significant damage once you are in a flanking position.
- Armor: While not as critical as mobility and firepower, having some armor can help you survive counter-attacks or skirmishes during your flanking maneuvers.
Recommended Flanking Tanks
- Light Tanks: Tanks like the T-100 LT or AMX 13 90 are perfect for flanking due to their speed, agility, and decent firepower.
- Medium Tanks: Tanks like the Leopard 1 or the Bat.-Châtillon 25 t combine speed, firepower, and some level of armor, making them versatile flankers.
- Tank Destroyers: Some tank destroyers like the Hellcat or Strv 103B can be effective flankers due to their speed and high damage output, but they require careful positioning due to their weaker armor.
Flanking Strategies
Map Awareness and Positioning
Knowing the layout of the map is crucial for successful flanking. Familiarize yourself with common routes, choke points, and strategic positions. Use this knowledge to plan your flanking routes and avoid areas where you might get spotted or trapped.
- Scout Early: Use the early game to scout enemy positions. Identify weak points in their formation and potential flanking routes.
- Use Cover: Move from cover to cover to minimize exposure. Use terrain features, buildings, and foliage to stay hidden from enemy view.
- Avoid Predictable Paths: Don’t take obvious routes. Enemies often anticipate common flanking paths. Be creative and unpredictable in your movements.
Coordinated Attacks
Flanking is most effective when coordinated with your team. Communication and timing are critical.
- Communicate: Use in-game chat or voice communication to coordinate flanking maneuvers with your team. Inform them of your plans and request support if needed.
- Timing: Wait for the right moment to strike. Synchronize your flank with your team’s main attack to maximize the impact and create chaos among the enemy ranks.
- Support Your Team: A good flanker doesn’t just focus on individual success. Provide support by targeting high-value enemies, relieving pressure on your allies, and exploiting openings created by your team.
Exploiting Weak Points
Once you have successfully flanked the enemy, focus on exploiting their weak points.
- Target Rear and Side Armor: Aim for the sides or rear of enemy tanks to increase your chances of penetrating their armor and dealing significant damage.
- Hit and Run: Use hit-and-run tactics to minimize your exposure. Fire at the enemy and quickly retreat to cover before they can retaliate.
- Focus Fire: Coordinate with your team to focus fire on key targets. Taking out high-value enemies quickly can tilt the battle in your favor.
Advanced Flanking Techniques
Feints and Diversions
Sometimes, a direct flank is not possible or advisable. In such cases, use feints and diversions to create flanking opportunities.
- Fake Attacks: Pretend to attack from one direction to draw enemy attention. Once they commit resources to counter your fake attack, switch to a different route and execute your flank.
- Lure and Ambush: Lure enemies into a trap by appearing vulnerable or retreating. Once they follow, ambush them from a flanking position.
Using Terrain to Your Advantage
Terrain plays a significant role in flanking. Use it to your advantage to gain the upper hand.
- High Ground: Gaining high ground provides a tactical advantage, allowing you to shoot down on enemies and giving you better visibility.
- Hull Down: Use terrain features to hide your tank’s hull while exposing only your turret. This makes you a smaller target and harder to hit.
- Ridges and Dips: Use ridges and dips in the terrain to stay hidden while moving. Pop up to take shots and then retreat back into cover.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Flanking requires skill and precision. Avoid these common mistakes to ensure your success:
- Overextending: Don’t push too far into enemy territory without support. This can leave you isolated and vulnerable to counter-attacks.
- Ignoring Team Play: Flanking is not a solo endeavor. Coordinate with your team and provide support where needed.
- Tunnel Vision: Don’t get fixated on a single target. Be aware of your surroundings and adjust your tactics based on the evolving battle.
Practicing and Improving Your Flanking Skills
Like any skill in World of Tanks, flanking requires practice. Here are some tips to improve your flanking abilities:
- Watch Replays: Study replays of your battles to understand what worked and what didn’t. Learn from your mistakes and successes.
- Learn from Others: Watch videos and streams of experienced players. Pay attention to their flanking tactics and try to incorporate them into your gameplay.
- Practice in Training Rooms: Use training rooms to practice flanking maneuvers with friends or bots. This allows you to experiment and refine your techniques without the pressure of a live battle.
Flanking is a powerful tactic in World of Tanks that can turn the tide of battle in your favor.
