Hello all you pilots out there, and welcome back to the Spider Tanks Showcase!
In this edition, we’re diving into a newer tank body in the arena, but one that offers some things no other body can. This mighty body forgoes the legs of most of its competition for a smooth ride over a more traditional tank drive system.
That’s right. This week, we’re talking about Tracks. Tracks is a retro special, sporting an antique track design that was popular on the Canadian subcontinent in the 15th century of Earth’s ancient past. This tank proves why such time-tested designs were popular, as it’s highly efficient and capable of amazing bursts of power when piloted by a skilled technician.
Tracks is big. Not Titan big, but pretty dang big. Usually, Energy is strictly a function of size – not in the case of Tracks. Tracks has the single highest Energy gain of any tank body out there, meaning you can use more abilities more often.
Like the Nomad, Santa’s Sleigh or Snoop’s Bumpin Lowrider, Tracks is a directional drive body. This means that it can move on impulse forward and backward but not side to side. You’ll have to adapt to this driving style if you’re not used to it, but the key is to stay in motion at all times if possible. It’ll take a while to accelerate from a stop, and you can’t turn while not moving. Keep agile and keep turning so that you can react quickly.
The Charger: Tracks/Carver
Remember how we said you get more energy than anyone else using Tracks? This combo takes full advantage of that. A Carver requires you to be up close… not a usual choice for a massive tank. With Tracks’ burst ability thanks to its energy though, you can cover a surprising amount of ground fast to chop down the competition.
Speed Boosters cost very little Energy, and with a high level Tracks you can theoretically use them pretty much whenever you need if you’re conservative with your Energy when you don’t need. Throw in a Repair Drone for another low-cost ability to keep you running smooth and you can use more abilities during the match than anyone else.
Opponents will think they’ve got your speed and reach down, then you kick on the afterburners. Make sure that you’re well repaired when you attack and choose your window well. Once you go sprinting after an enemy you’ll be a sitting duck if you turn around, so make sure they end as pieces and not you.
Mobile Triage: Tracks/Repair Artillery
While Tracks’ consistent Energy and toughness are huge assets, for many pilots the drive style of Tracks will often be a disadvantage. We can minimize that liability though by staying on the periphery of the fight when possible, and artillery makes that more possible.
With this, you’ll be playing support most often. You’ll still have the massive Energy gain to scramble and reposition if you need, but you can stay moving on the outside of the conflict, ensuring that your team stays healed and supported.
With Tracks large amount of Energy, Repair Zone could come into play as well here. Usually this ability is only useful in very few situations due to its high cost, but with Tracks you could lay down a repair zone every 20 seconds or so, allowing you to heal both team members at once.
The Burster: Tracks/Bouncer
This combo accepts that Tracks won’t be the fastest around, but it’s a much more traditional way to make a hard-hitting tank that has the chance to put out big bursts of damage when needed.
Bouncer can absolutely tear up an opposing team if you get them at the right time, and Tracks’ ability to utilize excessive amounts of Speed Boosters plays a key role here. With Tracks you can afford to be on full Energy most of the match, which means you can always be ready to make a sprint.
With this combo, you’ll want to get in and unleash your bouncies – then get out and bide your time until your next attack. Don’t boost as soon as you start your approach and give away your position. You want to save that booster until the last possible moment so that you can still use some of it to escape and prepare for your next pass. This opens up your allies to come in and clean up the mess or set you up for another run.
On Track to Victory
Tracks may be a blast from the past, but it has a lot of modern relevance in today’s arena. Don’t be turned off by the directional drive system without hopping in the pilot seat and giving this one a try… it can make big plays happen once you get used to its tendencies!
That’s all for us this week, but we’ll return next week for another Spider Tanks Showcase!
Have a body, weapon, abilities, map or game mode you’d like us to cover that we haven’t gotten to yet? Let us know on Discord and we’ll buckle up and get it ready!
When the outbreak began, billions of peoples’ stories changed drastically overnight. Only a small percentage survived. Some survivors would go on to become heroes of this new world, creating order from chaos and rebuilding from the ruins of the old world.
Tomorrow, the story of a new hero begins. An original character is coming to The Walking Dead: Empires Store – say hello to Eleonore!
Once upon a time, Eleonore was a journalist, chasing leads and finding meaning in the stories of others. Now, she uses those keen instincts and inquisitive nature to navigate the dangers of this world to survive. Your empire is young. Heroes with tenacity like Eleonore can help you grow strong.
Eleonore Sale Details
The Eleonore sale starts on Friday, August 16th at 7am PT. All rarities will be available in this sale.
The sale will continue until the supply has run out, or the card is removed to prepare for new Hero Cards.
All Eleonore Hero Cards will fulfill directly to GalaChain and will be immediately available to use within the game.
Eleonore’s a hardened survivor who wants to regain the sense of purpose she had in her old life. Building your empire could be that purpose.
Build the Future
This weekend starts the Build the Future event. Have you scavenged enough resources to climb to the top of the leaderboard?
Grow Your Empire
An empire isn’t built alone. You need heroes you can trust to fight like their lives depended on it. Eleonore is ready to do more than just survive. She’s ready to help your empire become the beacon the new world needs.
In the context of web3 and blockchain technology, nodes are essentially points within a network where data is processed, stored and communicated. Think of a node as a server that contains a copy of the blockchain and participates in the process of validating and relaying transactions.
Each node in the network ensures that the blockchain remains accurate and secure by cross-checking data and maintaining a shared ledger.
Nowadays you’ll see more and more of the term DePIN (Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Network, which accurately labels the way that nodes contribute physical computing power to a decentralized network in web3.
Nodes are crucial to the functioning of decentralized networks. Unlike traditional centralized systems where a single entity controls data and operations, decentralized networks distribute these tasks across multiple nodes. This distribution enhances security, reduces the risk of data tampering, and increases the network’s robustness against failures.
In simple terms, if you imagine a network as a city, nodes are like independent businesses that all agree on the same rules and work together to keep the city’s economy running smoothly. Without the effectiveness of these companies, the city would not be able to operate smoothly and provide necessary services to its inhabitants. Additionally, the viability of the entire city does not have to rely on the viability of any one business, because all the others agree on the same rules and continue to hold up the city’s infrastructure.
Each business keeps its own records, but they all share and validate information to ensure everything is accurate and consistent. This is how blockchain nodes work together, even as their operators are most likely strangers to one another, spread throughout the world.
Centralized networks are limited by things like land, real estate, energy and human resources. The larger a company gets, the more resources it must consume in an organized manner to maintain effectiveness. Decentralized systems are more scalable because they create the opportunity for remote node operators to shoulder much of this burden.
Gala Founder’s Nodes: A Specialized Role
Gala Founder’s Nodes are a specialized type of node within the Gala ecosystem. While they do not validate blockchain transactions—a task managed by the Hyperledger Fabric protocol on which GalaChain is built—they play several critical roles in supporting the network’s infrastructure.
Functions of Gala Founder’s Nodes
Decentralized Storage and Computing Power: Founder’s Nodes provide much of the necessary storage and computing power for the Gala ecosystem. This ensures that various applications, especially in gaming and entertainment, run efficiently without relying on centralized servers.
IPFS Distributed Hash Table Routing: Founder’s Nodes are instrumental in the InterPlanetary File System (IPFS), a protocol designed for decentralized file storage. They account for a large portion of the IPFS routing footprint, making decentralized internet performance significantly more robust throughout the world.
A Huge Piece of The Decentralized Web is Powered by Gala’s Node Network
Gala Founder’s Nodes account for nearly 30% of IPFS servers and Gala is leading the charge in decentralizing the internet.https://t.co/kg4CMUVr9O
Supporting Future Workloads: The scope of responsibilities for Founder’s Nodes is expected to grow. They will soon handle additional tasks such as bridge transactions and chain security, further enhancing the network’s efficiency and capabilities.
Token Distribution and Governance
Founder’s Nodes are also integral to the Gala token ($GALA) distribution process. New $GALA enters circulation by emission to Gala Founder’s Node operators as a reward for powering the network. The total amount of distribution is determined by the difference between the token’s current total supply (in circulation) and its max total supply, allowing dynamic variation of distribution based on how much $GALA is being used and burned throughout the world.
In simpler terms, Gala Founder’s Node operators are essentially licensing their computers as employees of GalaChain, putting them to work in the background and receiving $GALA regularly in exchange for that work. This method of decentralization reduces Gala’s costs for hosting and storing content through centralized providers such as Amazon Web Services.
Moreover, operators of Founder’s Nodes participate in governance decisions through consensus voting. This democratic process allows node operators to influence significant ecosystem decisions, including the distribution of tokens and other critical changes.
Why Gala Founder’s Nodes Matter
Gala Founder’s Nodes are the backbone of the Gala ecosystem, providing decentralized infrastructure support without involving themselves in transaction validation. This specialization allows them to focus on enhancing the network’s overall functionality and security, making GalaChain a more efficient and resilient blockchain solution.
Nodes are fundamental to the web3 world, enabling the decentralized systems that underpin blockchain technology. They ensure data integrity, enhance security, and support the network’s resilience. Gala Founder’s Nodes, in particular, exemplify how specialized nodes can provide critical infrastructure support, contributing to a robust and scalable decentralized network.
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Once you’ve gotten a taste of the excitement that comes with playing Sweep It Poker on Gala Games, you may want to head out to play a real table game, live and in person (Yep, they still happen).
When you play poker at a table, it’s absolutely the same game, but without the comfortable confines of the gaming interface, it becomes easier to get nervous. Nervous is one of the last things you want to be when playing a game of IRL poker, up there with out of chips. 😉
IRL Poker Tips
Note: The tips discussed below are not financial advice, but general guidance designed to enhance your poker experience.
With the ease and convenience of enjoying quick games online, in-person games may be harder to come by in 2024. Still, there’s something truly special about playing poker in person, sitting at a table. Maybe it’s the sound the chips make when you pick up a stack and let them slide through your fingers, gently clinking together as they fall back to the felt. Maybe it’s the way the cards slide across the table, the comfy chairs or the company of good friends. Whatever your reason for enjoying this classic game, we highly recommend it whenever you get a chance.
When you join a live poker game, you’ll always want to be prepared for the situation. Making an etiquette slip or a faux pas can be very embarrassing, and depending on the type of game you’re involved in, it could cost you dearly. Let’s not forget that almost all live poker games involve money.
Tip 1: Crime Doesn’t Pay
This one may seem obvious, but I’d be lying if I told you there weren’t plenty of opportunities to get involved in shady poker games. You’ll want to avoid those games, not only because of the laws you’ll be breaking by participating in unlicensed gambling, but also because tricksters and hustlers can often be found in those circles, watching and waiting for newbies and their tale-tell signs.
Because poker is a game of skill with elements of chance, truly skilled players thrive on a level playing field. This means that a professional poker player can make the most money in a 100% legitimate game. When a game involves any activity that is… legally questionable, you’re more likely to find players with looser ethics than true professionals. Many of those players might be playing a different game with entirely different rules, whose object is simply to take as much money from unsuspecting players as possible.
Know the Laws – Before setting out to play poker for real money, make sure you’re aware of the gambling and gaming laws where you live. In the United States and most other localities, the safe bet is to play in a licensed casino. There you’ll enjoy the oversight of extensive security personnel and standards of elegance that will elevate the entire experience. Of course, you’ll always pay the house in subtle ways, such as tournament entry fees or per-hand rakes on the pot.
Specific laws in the United States vary state by state, mostly involving the severity of punishment and classification of crimes related to illegal gambling. I won’t get too deep into the specifics of gambling laws, but understanding the ones that apply to you is always a good idea when preparing for a poker experience.
If you ever find yourself in a game with questionable legality, don’t make a scene. Just get out of it without drawing unnecessary attention to yourself and hold out for something recognized by the authorities as a legal activity. Trust me, it’s more fun (and less risky) that way.
When you approach the poker room and see a $1/$2 No Limit Hold ‘Em cash game with a couple seats open, take a few minutes to survey the game before you grab a seat. Chances are you’ll notice a few things:
A few players will have chip stacks much larger than the $200 max buy-in. This means that either they’ve been sitting there and playing for a while, that they’ve been winning a lot, or both.
Short stacks go all in. If you’re short-stacked in a $1/$2 cash game, you’ve only got one hand worth of chips in front of you. You’ll be expected to play tight, then make an all-in run at your first good hand.
Rebuys are common. You’ll probably notice that in total, there are more chips on the table than the $200 max buy-in per player that is initially allowed. This signifies that rebuys are frequent.
If you’re setting out to play a No Limit Hold’em game at the $1/$2 level (typically the lowest casino stakes you’ll find), then I’d recommend being prepared to rebuy two or three times at the max buy-in. That means you’ve walked in with $600-$800 to play with, even though you only start with $200 in chips. Your opponents won’t know how deep your pockets go and you should definitely keep that to yourself. If and when you bust out on a bad break, you’ll always need to make the important decision of whether to continue playing with a rebuy or stand up, admit defeat and walk away.
Let’s take a look at an example of preflop action to explore why it’s so important to max buy-in when you join a cash table.
Example
Hole Cards – K♣K♦
Position – Button (last to act)
Total players – 8
First, two players immediately following the big blind limp in for $2. The next two players fold and the 5th player to act raises to $10. Then the action is on you and you want to re-raise in an effort to see fewer post-flop players with your awesome hand.
The pot is now $17 and the action is on you. With a pre-flop raise to $10, you’ll need to reraise to at least double that, and to stop there would make you appear weak. So you decide to reraise to $40.
The small blind and big blind both fold to your reraise, but you get a call from the player to the left of the big blind, who previously tried to limp in from early position. The first raiser also calls, and you’re one of three players heading to the flop with $137 in the pot and only $160 still in front of you from your max buy-in of $200.
If you see a decent flop and wager that you still have the winning hand with your Kings, you can probably count on committing most (if not all) of your remaining chips to this hand. If they check around to you on the first round of betting, you’ll need to throw down at least half the pot to knock them off their draws.
If there are no straight or flush draws to threaten your hand, then you could consider checking to slow play, but that will only draw out early position overbets from your opponents after the turn card. At any rate, with three more rounds of betting, you can pretty much assume that more of your chips are going into that pot, unless you’re ready to fold.
They call it “No Limit” for good reason. It’s often about posturing and making bold moves when you know you have the hand clenched at that moment, knowing any card could change the outcome. When you win a pot post-flop, you want to make sure it’s a big one. But you’ve got to throw a lot of chips into the middle of the table to win a big pot. That’s why you should always be prepared to buy in at max and rebuy a few times. If that puts you off, then consider tournament play, where you’ll find fixed single buy-ins, often at a lower cost and risk.
You may have seen movies or TV shows that glorify the naive beginner at the poker table, telling stories about clueless players getting somehow lucky. Let me assure you that this idea is fictional. If you play that part at a real poker table for real money, you’ll get taken for a ride.
Know the Hands. If you forget the hierarchy of poker hands, no amount of luck can save you. To take this even further, you’ll want to familiarize yourself with all the drawing hands. This means you should learn to recognize hands that have not yet been made. In many cases, a good draw is a stronger position than an already made hand or a pocket pair.
Hands that can be drawn to are typically higher tier hands with very long odds of hitting on the flop alone, usually hands that involve all five cards in play. For example, if you have 2 pair on the flop, you’re in a pretty good position to draw up to a Full House, which is usually enough to give you the nuts. If you’re holding the Ace of Diamonds and 3 Diamonds hit the flop, you’ve got a great shot at hitting the nut flush, the highest possible Flush in a hand. That will pay off big if you’re in it against a player who has a lower Flush than you. Straight draws can easily be foiled by a completed Flush.
Know the Odds. There’s no need to become a human calculator working out multitudinous probabilities on the fly while you play, but you’ll want to think logically at every moment about the likelihood that your hand is the best hand. Some hole card combinations (such as suited J/10) are especially effective against multiple players, but if you have a pocket pair, you’re in better odds if you do whatever you can to minimize the number of players in the hand post flop. The game is always simplest when it’s you and a single other player. The more players, the more variables and draws, and the more that can go wrong.
Know the Etiquette. Your mental state at the poker table is incredibly important. If you get flustered, your opponents will pick up on it and take you down. Conventions such as standard gestures and vocalizations are important to keeping a solid facade when you’re involved in a hand, no matter what is going on inside.
Leave your cards on the table. Don’t pick them up and hold them like you would in a game of Uno. And be careful how often you look at them. Two cards are pretty easy to memorize, even on a hand-by-hand basis. Checking your cards too often can reveal valuable information about what you’re holding and how you plan to act.
Talk Less. The actions of poker betting are able to tell the whole story. Knock the felt for a check, or toss your cards face down toward the center to fold. Never ask if the action is on you. You’ll be able to tell by where the dealer is looking.
Even when betting and calling bets, you should primarily do this with your chips rather than your words. A bet, call or raise is simply signified by sliding forward the appropriate number of chips.
Take Breaks. When necessary, get up from the table for a few minutes to stretch or get some fresh air. A fresh hand will be waiting for you when you return and the dealer knows how to deal you out for a few hands.
Hopefully you’ve found some of today’s poker tips helpful, whether or not you plan to play live poker anytime soon.
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