Some fun tips for German Tankers on Finnish - My Top 20

[ShampooX]

There’s a lot of new players coming into TC this year.  And thank God because it’s such an awesome game.  I’m no superstar here, but I’m usually “top 40” on Finnish; mainly because I don’t rack up big scores playing against AI - I’m more of a live engagement kind of dude.  My live kills are among the best.  So hopefully, some of these observations and tactics will help you get the most out of the best combined arms sim out today.

1.)    If you drive/play with all your visors closed, your crew will get wounded less easily by surprise attacks and air attacks.  I usually always drive with my commander out of the hatch (until contact) so adequate vision is not a problem with this technique.  Your crew will always last longer if you aren’t the one initiating first contact when you are struck first with your visors closed you should be better off.

2.)    Along with #1 always remember that 95% of tank engagements are won by he who shoots first.  Always be in position to be that guy.  Don’t rush.  Keep “movement to contact” to a minimum, and if you must charge the CP, do so with at least one other ally close by or directly supporting.

3.)    Always communicate: enemy tanks spotted (type, location, direction) and sitreps about CP’s or AI bases whenever possible.  Use map grids and keypads and other descriptions in detail if possible.  Always differentiate between the activity occurring in Sector 1 or Sector 2.  It’s worth the small amount of extra time to type out good comms.  Make it a habit.

4.)    When attacking a CP, always use a bounding overwatch with a partner.  If you are unfamiliar with the term, google it.  Attacking a CP alone, unless at the very start of a mission, usually ends in your demise.

5.)    When entering a new mission, you can gauge enemy strength at each spawn by clicking on their respective team icons, but not joining up in an enemy tank.  Use this intel to plan your mission.  If you like to attack AI, stay away from enemy live tanks.  If you prefer live battle (like me), then use this method to find out where they have the most live players.  Report what you learn to the team when you spawn in.

6.)    Roads: both a blessing and a curse.  If you move on roads make sure to stop periodically at major terrain or directional changes as these will be frequent ambushing points.  Stop to scout them thoroughly and try to do so from a position of overhead cover. Your dust is also at its most visible to planes and on the ground when hauling ass down a road.

7.)    Bridges: also make sure you spend a few minutes paused to overwatch before crossing.  You might just catch one of them carelessly crossing towards your side.

8.)    Ambushes: you are able to fall some trees by slowly running them over.  Others are not able to be brought down.  Try to find an area where three or four trees are close together and knock one down in a manner that allows you to hide in it and have a tactical view of the area you are orienting towards.  This also gives you some cover from above.  Pull back into the fallen tree until only the cannon scope can see through.  This will ensure the majority of your tank is covered up but give you an excellent view of the target area through the cannon scope.

9.)    A note on fallen trees:  These are a bit of a bomb-magnet for experienced Ivan flyers looking down and hard to find you.  If you have time, knock three or four trees down in your AO first, well spread out, then go to your spot.  You will find they often target these other spots blindly and waste their bombs.

10.) Hiding from planes: I find that a spot where three or four trees are in close proximity – in a regular forest, or at least 50 meters back from a tree line – are almost impossible for even the lowest flying Ivan planes to detect you.  IL2’s will get frustrated and start using their AI rear gunners to locate you.  Thus, if you hear MG fire pinging around your POS, move to another cluster of 3-4 trees nearby immediately.

11.) He who listens best, shoots first…and you already know the rest of that story.  Once you have found a great ambush spot, are well cameoed-up, and engine off, you will find your ears begin to play tricks on you.  The electric motor on the PZK-IV and the fans on the Tiger and Panther start to sound like enemy engines sometimes.  You can turn the noisy PZKW-IV electric motor off, while keeping the turret unlocked (to avoid that stupid automatic high-port barrel lock position) by popping the Gunner’s hatch.  In a few seconds the noisy motor shuts off.  In the Tiger and Panther, you can lock the turret to eliminate those hissing fans and the gun stays in a horizontal position and can be quickly unlocked when you hear the enemy coming.  And you will hear him far before you see him or he even knows you are there!!

12.) When you hear that enemy tank approaching make short bursts of your own engine to orient your front towards the direction they are coming from.  Keep listening and adjusting and going silent.  You’ll have the slimmest profile.  You will most likely get the first shot.

13.) Once you have made your position known by totally killing the guy from “out of thin air” – it’s time to relocate.  He’s talking to all his buddies, of that you can be sure.  Wait and listen first to make sure he doesn’t have a friend who’s now looking for you…if it’s clear, then move back or laterally to another firing position: preferably one that has overwatch on the kill box you just departed.  If you have good distance and time – move forward a bit but remember Ivan tanks are crazy fast and they will be back soon. Revenge killers are easy targets because you already know the probable directions of approach and they will - 90% of the time - be trying to find you in your old position, even if they try it from a different direction.  So already have a plan for a Rally Point after initial contact.  And make sure your new RP has a field of fire into the old POS.  Then it’s just sitting back and waiting for them to come again.  And they will, they always do.  Check my Killboard, I have a lot of 4,5,6,7-0 victims on there – nearly all revenge killers who didn’t know I simply moved and was still waiting for them.  Some never learned the lesson after the fourth or fifth time.  I love those guys.

14.) In addition to, and on the subject of revenge killers in #13; never chase after an enemy who’s already in a wooded position.  You are like a deer chasing the hunter.  You will nearly always lose the first shot rule.  He will always hear you first, and probably then see you first too.  You will die.  Instead, find a safer POS where you can quietly see him from when he decides to push back to the tree line or his original POS.  He will, and if you have patience, you will be there to take him when he does.

15.) If you have fought your way through to, and capped the CP, and there’s nothing left to do but push on to the enemy spawn just know that within about 2.5-3 kliks you will show up on the Ivans map.  Many angry Ivan planes will come in low looking for you.  Unlike our Luftwaffe, they get seriously pissed when they see us on their map.  Never approach an enemy spawn where this is not sufficient cover as the planes will make short work of you.  In the right scenario you can hit enemy spawn from about 2.5k or more and nobody will even know you are there if you are well concealed.  Thus, you proactively deny the CP from them.  Make sure you check the map to see nobody is coming after you from the direction of one of the other enemy tank spawns – I’ve seen them get so pissed they drive 10k from another spawn just to try and kill me. Remember, spawns always have 2x 76mm AA and those puppies will kill you from a long way away.  Find them first and kill them.  They always have one other smaller AA gun that you need to kill next.

16.) Don’t just think about your plan.  Study the map as if you were playing the enemy side for a moment, and decide what you’d do in their position.  It’s time well spent and will help you see potential blind spots in your own plan.

17.)  If you encounter multiple enemies from a hidden position:

a.       2: wait until one goes into defilade or behind an object that obscures your shot on the other one.  Always shoot cleanly when only one can see your muzzle blast….if possible.  If not possible, always shoot the enemy in back.  This way the lead tank does not sense the attack for a couple of precious seconds since he won’t see the hit: seconds that can give you another “free reload” and a clean second shot on him or a kill shot on the first target if you still have time.  But always be aware your muzzle blast is the "hey I'm over here" message to the entire map - enemies and friend alike, near and far.  Your brightly lit sabots traveling away in the slight, but telltale, ballistic arc of a tank round also give you away.  "Shoot and scoot" is a concept you might need to get familiar with....especially if the whine of a dual engine P38 is droning nearby in your cans.

b.       3: I would not take this gamble but if you do, use some tips from A above.  Statistically you probably won’t make it.

c.       4+: just don’t do it.  If you are in strong concealment (as you always should be) and there is a chance they will drive by, just let them bypass you, report the parade to your team, then nail them from the rear in the best order you feel is possible.  If not, bail out of your tank, report the situation and come back with another plan.  At least you live.

18.) A note on German CAS:  that is to say that basically… it’s not good.  It sucks actually.  Ask for it of course when you need it….. but don’t expect it.  On the other hand, Ivan CAS is relentless.  I’ve watched a single SU-152 cap a CP from 2 Panthers and 2 Tigers because he had CAS that was working with him.  Ivan owns the low altitudes.  If you are a new German Tanker on Finnish, just learn to expect and deal with this.  Our fly guys are off doing other things – not sure what actually – but it’s apparently not working with us.  If you find one willing to help, be very nice to them.  They are a rare bird.  Literally.  But always expect to be jumped by Ivan in the air, and plan your routes and cover accordingly – especially across those lonely, open fields of Stalingrad.  On this note, get to know the sounds of our planes and theirs.  This really only comes with time and I can tell you I'm no expert at it - but the P47, P51 and P38 all have very distinctive engine sounds from an ME, FW or HE.  In fact just knowing the sound of a U2 Biplane will help you a good deal in how you decide to hide or fight.

19.) I’m not much of an AI player but I will give this small bit of advice.  When approaching an AI line from anything inside 2.8 kliks – make sure you can see any Zis-2AT and 76M AA guns and deal with them first.  They can disable a Tiger in one shot, KIA everything else, and their gunners only need a couple shots to range you and their ROF is insanely high.  They can see you through trees too, so make sure your FOF is clear.  Their AT may be pointed away from you but it can 180 around and sting you in a second or two.  Be merciless with them.  At each enemy tank spawn there will always be 2X 76mm AA and one smaller AA battery…that little guy can do a job on an open turret commander not to mention your tracks.

20.)  Be nice to new players.  We were all new once. When a new tanker asks us how to repair, or how to open up the map, or whatever ….and we say “CTRL E” (bail out), that’s just kind of a dick move.  I did it once myself, so I’m not here to preach.  You won’t feel good about it later, trust me.  It’s like banging an ugly chick after the party.  You’ll just hate yourself even more in the morning.

Edited October 14, 2021 by PoopshipDestroyr

[Zinovy_Kolobanov]

Only play German?

[moustache]

it's working with allies tank... you're just less scared from metal bird...

[OG_NickNack68]

Hey poop,

That's good advice, lots of things that I just don't think of. I saw your advice in action last weekend I believe and your tactics worked impressively. If I'm flying Axis I'll give you CAS for sure. Kinda situational this as I always play whatever side is the underdog. Thanks again for the info, especially #20. Nothing turns people off like a arrogant jackwagon. It's always nice to have fresh meat.

Salute!

Nick

 

 

[GenMarkof007]

S! @ShampooActual

 

Just found this post... real good stuff...
I would say, this is a must for any first time IL2 tankers!

 

I do like your no 18 info on German CAS...
I think that many German pilots are a little more on the stats, and Allied pilots are a little more on team playing (combined arms).
It would be great if they would try to do a little more CAS for German tankers...

 

Again, a big thanks for these great tips.
 

Cheers,
GenMarkof +

 

[ShampooX]

@GenMarkof007 thanks for reving this blast from the past.  I should add to it.  But hten some thing should still be kept secret.