Tank Tips

By Wendell Scott

MechAssault 2: Lone Wolf features a number of new combat vehicles that will shake up 'Mech combat, but none is more misunderstood than the Tank. They were a dangerous nuisance in the hands of the enemy during the first game, but a good 'Mech pilot could wipe out a whole column in under a minute.

For the sequel, FASA and Microsoft Game Studios made sure that 'Mechs are still the toughest kids on the block in head-to-head combat, but they also made the Tank versatile and powerful enough to be a part of any team's winning strategy.

One of the sweet new rides in Mechassault 2.

If you want some practical experience with the Tank before you take it online, you can see its abilities on display during the single-player campaign. During the Tank Rush mission, you must commandeer an enemy Tank to sneak through enemy checkpoints. This ruse doesn't last long, and soon you're in a pitched battle deep inside enemy territory.

The Tank Rush mission lets you get a feel for the Tank's speed and maneuverability, while testing your quick reflexes and longer-term strategy. Tank Rush does a great job of introducing the new vehicle and introducing you to its strengths and weaknesses.

On the plus side, the Tank is lighter than most 'Mechs, and faster than some, with better armor than either BattleArmor or the VTOL. Its default weapons (cannon and machine gun) do well against non-'Mech opponents, and if you can score a power-up or two, you can even take on the big boys themselves.

As part of a coordinated multi-vehicle attack, the Tank's mobility and decent firepower make it lethal; however, the Tank is at a disadvantage on its own, as it is slower than light enemies and weaker than strong ones. You'll just have to learn to use its strengths and compensate for its weaknesses.

Sniper-cannon.

The Tank's mobility is your first and best asset in combat. At medium and close range, your Tank should never stand still. Use its mobility to keep enemies from getting a lock-on and dart behind cover when they do. The Tank's treads allow it to climb all but the steepest hills, and you can fire in one direction, while driving in another, to bust out your offense at any time during your defensive dodging. You can even use your tank to shoot enemy ‘Mechs in the legs and knock them down, which comes in quite handy.

The confusion of a fast-paced firefight is an advantage that the Tank pilot must exploit. With the ability to zip out of danger after a volley has already been fired, the Tank can often force enemy 'Mechs to hit their own side.

At long range, the Tank cannon's sniper scope is one of the most powerful weapons in the game. The ability to take out enemies before they even know you're there is meat and potatoes for any sniper, and the Tank is no exception. Sniping can clear out enemy turrets, take out BattleArmor, and shave a few health bars off heavy 'Mechs long before the enemy is close enough to fire back.

Since the zoom feature can be employed while moving, you can recon the road ahead and blast any opposition to pieces without slowing your progress. If your team is charging back to base with the flag, a properly positioned Tank can help clear the path or deter pursuit before the flag carrier is ever in danger.

Keep moving, keep shooting.

Finally, its long-lasting NullSig defense makes the Tank a solid choice for stealth missions, especially if your team has no 'Mechs with NullSig. The Tank is low to the ground and fairly fast, so it's possible to go unnoticed by larger 'Mechs and VTOLs, even without the invisible stealth mode.

You can penetrate deep into enemy territory and claim flags, checkpoints, and other multiplayer objectives by carefully darting from cover to cover to avoid a face-off with the enemy. This is especially true during a battle when rockets and autocannons are going off all around and nobody is likely to notice you zipping past them to objectives beyond.

Multiplayer matches in Mechassault 2: Lone Wolf will be won by the team that makes the most of its vehicles. Depending on the game type, map, and makeup of your team, the Tank can be all you need to become unstoppable.