Tried WoT ages ago but the extreme arcade approach made me even prefer playing Tiger vs T34 with the monitor turned off.

As one of the dev's from "americas army" is involved I was expecting MUCH more. Obviously they aim for quick bucks on instant.gratification generation instead. :(

So, how "free" to play is it really? I've heard different opinions - people that have wasted more money in this than they have on CoD, for instance, but some people still say it's free.

Do you need to invest money to be competitive?

I had to uninstall WOT due to terminal levels of frustration. I could play ok-ish (I was nothing special as a player, look me up on the EU server, not too terrible but hey :) ), but the game is just so utterly random, and sometimes the game REALLY hates you with it's random dice rolls. Fire at side armour of tank with decent gun - 'That one just bounced!', X3. Arty hits, tracks are destroyed with EVERY SINGLE SHOT, random ammo rack explosions etc etc etc.

Reinstalled T34 vs Tiger, Steel Fury, and Steel Beasts Pro PE....aaaaaaaaaah, much better!

I strongly recommend NOT to install World of Tanks. IMHO. And don't let the 'oh, but it's free!' make ANY impression whatsoever - yeah sure, it's free IF you like to grind and grind like a motherf***** :-D

Edit to add: I'll make one recommendation if you can't resist it - DO NOT go above Tier 2 tanks. My most consistent fun, every time, was with my little PzII. By lightyears.....still not enough to keep it though.

Nope, you don't need money to be competitive. To be honest, buying a Gold-tank (premium-tanks that you have to pay RL money for) just makes you a target. And if you don't understand the basics, you won't do good when you get up in the tiers.

If you DO choose to go premium, however, you will see that you gain more XP and credits per match, which again will let you rise up the tech-trees faster. But it's by no means a necessity, you just spend a bit more time on it.

The thing to remember, though, is that WoT attracts the scum of the online world as a general rule. You also have to take it for what it is: An arcadish approach to WWII Tank-combat. It's not in any way true to realism, it has the odd quirk and strange behaviour, but despite that it's still a fun way to pass some time while you wait for something different to come. Just don't expect it to be anything like Steel Beasts etc.

Gold Tanks are the "Fast and Easy" answer.. but not really, because they are extremely limited at the same time. They are actually the WORST in every class if you ask my opinion as they cannot be upgraded and are extremely slow.

I did get the premium account (9.95 euros for 30 days) to climb a bit faster in the tech trees.

I realized that thats what keeps me coming back playing it, to get that upgraded gun, or the more powerful engine.

Having to deal with "idiots" in the public matches is a necessary eveil getting there, lol.

Another reason i play it is because its very easy getting online playing for 15 min and the end the game. If it where for ex IL2 Sturmovik u could easily waste an hour without anything happening what so ever.

Baron : Totally agree.. It's addictive and always brings you back for those upgraded parts!

I have a nice way of dealing with people that behave like utter muppets. I note down their names on a little list, and any time I come across those people, I go after them specifically and relentlessly.

Childish? Quite possibly. But it's both insanely satisfying AND hilarious when they go into a rage because you scrogged them for the 5th time running.

I also tend to deliberately taunt the ones that cannot or will not behave. While also childish, it's often quite a lot more fun than the game itself. It brings a special kind of satisfaction to first kill someone and then have their entire team turn on them when they start behaving like children.

Yes. Seriously played it with 2 people from my squad waiting for CloD to come out for about 6-8 months. Spent the cost of CloD every 6 weeks. It was fun though :grin:

But... you can have the same fun with PzII and AT-1 on low levels if you stick to them and it is free. But... the game is designed to make an impression you gain something by going to higher levels and spending money. You just can not resist unless you are a yogi.

It is much easier to wait for CloD patches than to the next tank upgrade that you can buy 'just' for $15 NOW :grin:

Anyone who is going to start playing WoPlanes or WoWarplanes get your wallets ready :)

Do not say you were not warned. :grin:

Or go play Navyfield. Is basically the same rip off, but slower. Tried WoT for 5 Minutes put it was too hectically for me eyes and confusing rushing around. Guess I am getting old. ;)

I still play Navyfield once a month just to kill 15minutes and I still wonder about some players I see and which are proud of spending 800€ just see themselves in the top ten of a stupid PC game. :rolleyes: