Glen Meyers - World of Tanks: Beginners Guide

World of Tanks

Beginners Guide

By Glen Meyers

2015 Glen Meyers

This is an unofficial game guide.

World of Tanks and World of Tanks logo Wargaming.net

...Intermediate and Advanced Players

If youre already familiar with World of Tanks, you should skip this book as its designed for the beginning player. For players that are beyond initial game installation and initial game play, I recommend my other book: World of Tanks: Tips & Tricks.

...How To Use This Guide

This is a very basic guide for World of Tanks. It covers the initial steps required from a new player in order to purchase a tank and start playing the game. I recommend reading the guide from start to finish. If possible, print a copy of the guide and keep it handy while you navigate the game menu for the first time as the game interface can be confusing for new players. Once you understand the basics of the game menu and youve played a dozen games or so, you will no longer need this guide.

...Installing The Game

To install the game, visit the website World of Tanks. Follow the directions to download and install the game.

...Choosing An Account Name

When you install the game, youll be asked for an email address and a user name. Choose this name wisely. This is the name that other players will see when you play. The only way to alter this name in the future will be to spend real money.

...Buying Your First Tank

(1) Click on Tech Tree

(2) Click on any of the nationality icons

(3) Click on the purchase button for the 1st tank listed under Roman numeral I

(4) Congratulations! You just purchased your first tank.

...Crew Training

When you purchase your first tank, youll have 3 options for Crew Training:

(1) Rapid Courses 50%

(2) Regimental School 75%

(3) Tank Academy 100%

The percentage rating relates to the crews skill level for the basic operation of that particular tank. When the crew is at 100% skill, the tank will function at normal performance. Anything below 100% skill level and the tank will function at a slight impairment.

Rapid Courses (50%) are free. I suggest you go with free training for every tank you purchase, especially at the lower tiers. Theres no reason to spend credits or gold on a tank that is more than likely just a stepping stone to get to the tank you prefer to play.

Regimental School (75%) will cost credits. Credits are earned by playing in random games with your tank. Every time a battle ends, players will earn credits depending on their performance within the game. Youll then use those credits for any of the following: repairing tanks, buying ammunition, researching new modules on your tank, buying new tanks, etc. The only time I recommend spending credits on crew training is if you already know you want to keep that tank for a long period of time.

Tank Academy (100%) will cost gold. Gold is purchased through the World of Tanks website in exchange for real money. Until you acquire a basic understanding of the game, I suggest you refrain from purchasing gold and just work with the credits youll earn while playing random battles.

...How To Find Each Crew Members Experience Level

After each battle, your crew members will gain experience. You can see their percentage rating listed next to their name. If you dont know where to look to see each crew members experience level, follow these steps:

(1) Click on Garage at the top of the screen

(2) Click on any tank listed inside your garage (Tip: theres a small globe icon on the bottom at the far left of your garage. Make sure this is set to all nations)

(3) After youve clicked on one of your tanks, a large image of that particular tank will be displayed in the middle of the screen. To the left of the tank youll see the crew members. Each crew member will have a percentage rating listed next to his name. Ideally, you want each crew member to be at 100% training in order to operate the tank normally. Your crews will eventually reach 100% experience after youve played enough random battles with that tank. The only other way to reach 100% experience is to purchase Tank Academy training with gold (real money) which I dont recommend for new players.

As a beginner, dont worry too much about your crew training. Instead, focus on learning how to operate the tank and how to play the game in a manner to assist your teammates.

...Ammunition

Before entering your first battle, you will need to load your tank with ammunition.

(1) Click on Garage

(2) Click on your tanks icon (Tip: make sure all nations is selected on the globe icon to the far left of your garage)

(3) After youve clicked your tank and its image is displayed in the middle of the screen, look directly below the tank. Youll find a button titled Service. Click that button.

(4) A new window will pop open with more choices inside. Dont try to figure out the different options listed. At this time I only want you to toggle two options: Repair Automatically and Resupply Automatically . Those two options will be listed at the top of the window. Check the boxes next to them and then click ACCEPT at the bottom of that window. Your tank is now loaded with ammunition and will automatically be repaired and reloaded after each game.

...Tank Controls

To see the default keys for moving your tank and shooting, do the following:

(1) Click the ESCAPE key

(2) Click SETTINGS

(3) Click the CONTROLS tab

I suggest you keep the default key controls the way they are. Youll need to learn how to move forward, move in reverse, turn left, and turn right. Youll shoot with your left-click mouse button, and youll aim your turret with your mouse. When you have time, look through the available key settings to learn about other things you can do while inside a game. For now, knowing how to move your tank and how to shoot is all you need to know.

...Ready For Battle!

Now that your new tank is loaded with ammunition, its time to fight your first battle. At the very top of the screen youll see a big red button that says BATTLE. Before you click that button, look to the right and youll see the words Random Battle. If you click Random Battle, youll see many choices for the types of battles you can play in World of Tanks. For now, just leave it selected on Random Battle and then click the red BATTLE button.

...The Loading Screen

Prior to the start of each game, youll experience four phases:

(1) The first thing youll see is a list of current tank types waiting for a new game. Theres nothing to do here except wait. The game is in the process of matching players for a tank battle. This phase usually lasts a short period of time, a few seconds or less. In the higher tier battles, this first screen can last significantly longer, sometimes for a few minutes. Be patient and just wait.

(2) The second screen youll see is a list of player names on both teams. When youve reached this screen, the teams and players and map have been selected. Youll see your user name listed on the screen alongside your teammates. At this point the game is waiting for players to enter the game. Because everyone has different internet connection speeds, some players will enter this screen very quickly and others may take some time. The players with their names listed in white are the players currently in the game. The players with their names listed in grey are still waiting to see the screen youre looking at (either their internet connection is slow or their computer is slow and it takes them a while longer to enter the game).

(3) Countdown. You will see a countdown timer in the middle of the screen. When it reaches zero, the battle will begin.

(4) The battle starts! At this point the game becomes live. You can now drive your tank and shoot and kill and be killed. This is where the action begins.