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Tank Control using keyboard: a/the/my method (forget the mouse)
By Gurgeh
Originally I posted this under 'General Discussion'. Someone suggested I post it under 'Guides' so here it is...

In short

The tank can only move forward and back along the direction the camera is currently pointing. First lign up the camera (num pad), then move (cursors) [tank will turn automatically]

See How-to content below for more detail.


Why

Having played this on the PS3 I was thrilled when it was released on the PC/Steam. Everything was going great until I tried to control the tank... the mouse look around I used on my soldiers actually moved the tank wasting AP counterproductively. It wasn't obvious to me how to look around and move my tank separately and deliberately. I searched the Steam discussions and no thread spells it out simply as far as I know.

From one Steam post, a few other articles, and my experience of the PS3 I pieced it together. (I know it's hardly the 'The Enigma Code'.) However, I thought I'd post it here succinctly for others to find. It concerns me to think someone might give up on this game because the tank control seems buggy. (Sadly it sounds as though there are other control/behaviour issues besetting some people, for whom this guide will not be relevant.)
   
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Created by
Gurgeh
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Category: Gameplay Basics
Languages: English
Posted
Updated
16 Nov, 2014 @ 2:46pm
23 May, 2015 @ 11:58pm
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Guide Index
Overview
How-to 
Comments
How-to
The tank can only move forward and back along the direction the camera is currently pointing. First lign up the camera (num pad), then move (cursors) [tank will turn automatically]

a) *Do not use the mouse at all with the tank*
b) Use number pad (num lock) <4>,<6> keys to 'look' left and right (<8> & <2> up and down might be useful too).
1) To move the tank in a specific direction use the above 'look' keys <4>,<6> to line up the direction you want to move in with *dead centre* of your screen...
2) Then press the <up> cursor key (<w> might work too?). The tank will then automatically turn on the spot until it is lined up along the direction you are looking in, then start moving forward.

(<left>,<right> cursor keys can be used to turn the tank manually)


NB: Moving Backwards

The process for moving backwards is *almost* the same but not quite. This time you have to:
1) Again 'look' in the forward direction (opposite) of that which you want the tank to reverse in.
2) Then use the <left>,<right> cursor keys to manually turn the tank till its facing the direction you are looking.
3) Use the <down> cursor key to reverse the tank towards you, away from the point you are looking at.

If you skip (2) you will find that for most angles the tank instead tries to turn over 90 degrees to face you, pointing its vulnerable backside in the wrong direction, and wasting AP, then moving forward towards you instead of reversing towards you.

Alternatively:
Originally posted by Killcreek2:

You do not actually need to face the camera front, while reversing.
If the tank['s rear] is lined up within ~10 degrees of the direction you want to reverse, you can aim the camera in that direction [numpad] and press forwards [W] ~ the tank won't try to turn if it is almost lined up, so use A/D [inverted while reversing] to manually tweak before reversing "forwards" with W.

Finally

This is exactly how I controlled the tank on the PS3 with analog stick (camera) and direction buttons (movement) on the game pad. Only here we use <4>,<6>,<8>,<2> (camera) and <left>,<right>,<up>,<down> (movement)

Hope this helps someone.
8 Comments
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SeelTempest 12 Mar, 2017 @ 2:38pm 
Before reading this guide I was struggling to control the tank with the mouse and losing battles! Thanks for this helpful guide.
FalterXV TTV 30 Jul, 2016 @ 10:51pm 
alternativly i have found, with some experimentation might i add, that aiming your tank's weapon, (enter aim mode, then exit once positioned,) will have your camera facing in the desired position, it might take a little longer, but for those with control issues, it might save you a lot, it is what i did before reading this guide, and using an xbox controller with this game is impossible for me at least (too sensitive on lowest possible sensitivity), thanks for your work sir.
Killcreek2 24 May, 2015 @ 12:51am 
Wow, totally fine by me & thanks for the credit. :ghsmile:
Gurgeh  [author] 24 May, 2015 @ 12:04am 
Thanks Killcreek2, yup spotted that a while after my self and went "oh..". I've amended the guide quoting you with some paraphrasing. Hope that's ok. Let me know if not.
Killcreek2 23 May, 2015 @ 11:35pm 
You do not actually need to face the camera front, while reversing.

If the tank is lined up within ~10 degrees of the direction you want to reverse, you can aim the camera in that direction [numpad] and press forwards [W] ~ the tank won't try to turn if it is almost lined up, so use A/D [inverted while reversing] to manually tweak before reversing "forwards" with W.

But you are spot on about the mouse ~ I always let go & move hand away before even selecting a tank. :D
M3mph1s 15 Feb, 2015 @ 7:06am 
very good guide thanks :)
Pepi 11 Feb, 2015 @ 3:54pm 
I just started the game yesterday, and I had trouble controlling the tank. Very useful.
D3lux3 10 Feb, 2015 @ 10:24pm 
Thanks!