Get ready for the high-octane, tank-on-tank destruction of GAMEDIA’s Spider Tanks. Official Launch is set for October 31st, 2022.
Here we are, Tank Fam. It’s almost time for the Official Launch of the world’s first Web3 esport, created by the incredible developers at GAMEDIA and published by the Web3 wizards of Gala Games.
More Than an Incredible Game
In preparation for the Spider Tanks launch, here is a rundown of some of the most important recent updates and developments from the Spider Tanks world.
Remember that like all Gala Games, there is even more to Spider Tanks than high-octane competitive gameplay and player empowerment. Spider Tanks is an entire universe with stories to be revealed, secrets to be uncovered, and new game modes to be explored. The Spider Tanks community of players, Planetary Node operators, Map owners, and more will grow rapidly as gamers around the world begin to feel the power of Web3 in esports.
We can hardly wait to share that universe with you, and we’re thrilled that you’re along for the ride.
Planetary Nodes
Planetary Node license (bundles only) are still currently available as of October 20, 2022, but like any Game Specific Node in the Gala Games Ecosystem, they are only available at limited times, and in limited supply.
To learn all about the Spider Tanks Planetary Node Network and how operators can earn additional battle rewards for operating them on home computers, visit the Planetary Node Atlas, linked in THIS ARTICLE from the Spider Tanks blog.
Spider Tanks Lite Paper
There are tons of intricacies to the Spider Tanks economy and it can all take a little getting used to, especially if you’re new to Web3 gaming. Check out the Spider Tanks Lite Paper: It will answer almost any question about Spider Tanks (although it may not explain why the Tank Olympiad is so fond of chickens).
When you’re defeating team after team of Spider Tanks foes in the arena, do you ever wish you could make getting obliterated by you just a little more memorable? Now, thanks to the in-your-face style of Spider Tanks props, you can enhance your gameplay while appropriately humiliating your opponents.
Accessorize your Tank with one of these sweet props for unique gameplay benefits, available now in the Spider Tanks store.
The Rubber Ducky will boost your Elemental Resistance and Elemental Damage.Cat Ears will make your Tank quicker, like a cat going after a laser pointer.
Price Increase Imminent
A little-known fact about these Tank Props is that once the current tier of each is sold out, the price will double in the Gala Games store. This is our way of letting you know that you can still get your Tank Props now for 50% off.
There is a lot of excitement in store for Spider Tanks as we gear up for launch, so subscribe for the latest updates at SpiderTanks.game today!
This week the Tank we’re featuring is a very special treat that packs plenty of tricks.
Welcome back to the Spider Tanks Showcase! The launch of Spider Tanks is coming very soon, but that doesn’t mean it’s ok to miss the opportunity to feature a very special Tank in its natural season.
Today, we’re looking at the strategy behind one of the most dreaded Tanks in the arena– a ghoulish specter who stalks its victims with speed and devastating weaponry… The JACKED O’ Lantern!
JACKED O’ Lantern pursues its prey with extreme speed. Among the fastest Bodies in the game, JACKED O’ Lantern can chase down most any Tank, while also sporting a higher Armor and Energy than the only slightly faster Flea.
Despite the extra padding compared to the littlest glass cannon, the JACKED O’ Lantern is still pretty susceptible to being smashed into pumpkin bits. A good Pilot needs to put the extra Speed this Tank is packing to good use dodging. Luckily, this Tank’s signature Weapon helps with that a lot.
The Halloween Hero: JACKED O’ Lantern/Brambler
Since JACKED O’ Lantern is a Hero Tank, it comes with a custom Weapon specifically designed for the playstyle of a squishy, speedy little pumpkin. As with any Hero Tank combo, both JACKED O’ Lantern and its Weapon– Brambler– can be used independently with other Tank Parts. They synergize well together though, and create an excellent prebuilt combo that will strike fear into the hearts of the all.
The Brambler is a spooky artillery that can launch rounds over objects and terrorize your opponents from afar. Wherever it strikes, it creates a hazardous zone of grasping vines that will slow enemy Tanks and cause damage over time.
However you dress it up, the JACKED O’ Lantern keeps the spooky season alive all year.
With this combo you’ll be among the fastest Tanks in the arena and you’ll be able to harass your opponents from afar. A JACKED O’ Lantern utilizing a Brambler can lay down continual damage on a Tank or a choke point without having to continually fire. Since the Brambler does damage over time and also slows enemies who dare walk into its zone of terror, you can use your superior speed to stay in safety. This way you get to take your time positioning shots to keep your opponent on the run.
The Terror of the Arena
These Tanks haunt many Pilots’ nightmares, and for good reason. When a JACKED O’ Lantern comes up against a slower Tank, there’s not much their foes can do about Brambler’s constant bombardment. Slow, heavy Tanks won’t be able to escape or catch the agile little pumpkin, while lighter, faster Tanks will often be too fragile to risk running through any DoT pumpkin patches.
The opposing team abandons all hope of a last minute rally with this JACKED O Lantern assaulting the Control Point.
In many of the best matches, natural choke points will develop where teams square off in a temporary standstill until someone gains the upper hand. JACKED O’ Lantern absolutely excels at these situations… if used cleverly. Obviously, simply laying down fire on the Control Point or clogging up a bridge with Brambler rounds are great, but Brambler can also assault behind opponents as close range Tanks charge. This slows the enemy down and can make it hard for them to back off and regroup or run for Armor packs.
Often, the worst mistake your opponents can make is to chase you. You are FAST in a JACKED O’ Lantern, and your Weapon also makes your enemy slower. Just back away quickly, and lead your pursuer with Brambler as they follow you. Lead further than you think you need to–your weapon damages a large area.
If you hit just in front of a Tank following you, you’ll still damage them and also leave twice the slowing and damaging area for them to slog through. When they’re getting close to finally being free of your brambles, drop another round. They’ll get the message soon enough.
This JACKED O’ Lantern sticks its nose into someone else’s business to help out a teammate, but then can quickly react to an approaching threat.
A JACKED O’ Lantern isn’t all treat and no trick though. This Tank is among the lowest Energy you’ll find, so you won’t be using your Abilities very often. Choose low cost Abilities. Speed Boost is very Energy affordable and really complements this zippy little Body well. Since your Weapon is artillery with this build, a turret may not be a bad idea as… just to make sure you have some cover up close when you need it.
I like it best with Speed Boost and Repair Drone, but since it gives AOE damage to all touching the bramble patch, it works very well with Vortex Zone as well. Get all 3 in a vortex and you can damage them all at the same time.
-evenwave
Pumpkin Spice It Up
One of the best things about Hero Tanks is that you don’t have to play them the way they were packaged together originally. While Brambler comes along with JACKED O’ Lantern, they are still just a Weapon and a Body that you can use in any build you’d like. There are definitely some amazing combos out there for either of these Tank Parts.
The Body on this combo is among the fastest, but it seriously lacks in Energy or Armor. This Tank will be a solid choice for any weapons where you really like to be able to zoom around and out-position everybody in the arena. You will definitely be scooping up tons in Chicken Chaser, and may elect to play the Body with a more straightforward weapon for the sake of versatility.
It’s also worth mentioning again that JACKED O’ Lantern is just a little slower than Flea… but it also has just a little more Armor and Energy. This may actually be a huge advantage for some players, as the sensitivity of a the very fastest Tanks can actually cause you to be less accurate with Weapons like the Crossbow, Twin Guns, or Cannon.
Here you can see two JACKED O’ Lanterns on a team. One assaults with Brambler from afar, while the other holds the flag, delivering precise cannon shots and a devastating airstrike.
As for Brambler, there’s plenty of interesting things you can do with this wicked Weapon. Attaching it to a slower Body would fundamentally change the traditional strategy, but not always for the worse. A Body with super high Energy and more Armor (like Nomad) could still provide plenty of support for your team around the perimeters, and can also open up a lot of possibilities with how many more Abilities you’d be able to use.
Pumpkin Power
JACKED O’ Lantern is absolutely terrifying to behold in the arena, and in the hands of the right Pilot it could mean doom for all their opponents. This pumpkin isn’t without its shortcomings, but like every Tank, the best combo is the one that feels right to you and that you enjoy playing.
We’re beyond excited for launch day, but launch doesn’t mean you’ve heard the last from the Spider Tanks Showcase. We’ll be back again next week to talk about a far more balanced approach to the arena– Muzzle!
If you have builds or strategy tips about how you love to play Muzzle, let us know in Discord or in the comments below. See you all in the arena soon!
Welcome to the new Pilot training course! Here you can learn the basics of the Spider Tanks arena.
Spider Tanks is a competitive esport that takes time to master, but players of any skill level can have fun competing as they refine their skill and strategy. Anyone can learn the fundamentals to have some fun on the arena floor right away!
This article is meant to walk you through the basics of Spider Tanks, and touch on the depth of individual strategic approaches Pilots can bring to the arena. Did you even know you were a Pilot?
Once you feel like you’ve mastered everything this course has to offer, check out some of our more advanced training materials to up your game!
-In this lesson we tie all your training together into advanced team strategy and discuss how to upgrade your Tank and climb the arena leaderboards.-
Playing to Your Strengths
Any Tank and Weapon combo will have certain things it can do really well and some things it struggles with. Weaknesses are ok — you have a team standing with you. Identifying what your strengths are is the first step towards forming a winning strategy.
First, let’s review how to customize your Tank. Each Tank is made up of several Tank Parts, each of which can be player-owned items.
Body
Weapon
Prop
Skin
To round out their build, players also choose two Abilities that all Pilots have access to.
Through the Pilot Program, players can grab a random Body and Weapon to play with. For our purposes here though, let’s assume we’re building a Tank from scratch.
It’s important to note that if you own a Hero Tank like Snoop’s Bumpin’ Lowrider, or the JACKED O’ Lantern, these are package deals that contain both a Body and a matching Weapon. Though each can be used independently, they are designed to complement each other in an excellent prebuilt combo.
Snoop’s Bumpin Lowrider comes complete with the Beat Blaster Weapon. It’s great for knocking your opponents around with the power of pure bass.
Tank Body
The Body of your Tank determines the movement behavior of your Tank, as well as three key statistics:
Armor: The amount of damage you can take before your Tank is a pile of rubble
Speed: How fast your Tank moves
Energy: How fast your Tank gains Energy to use Abilities
Each Body has an assortment of these stats that favor different playstyles. A heavy duty, high-energy Body like Nomad can take more hits and use Abilities more often, but don’t expect to be rolling around the arena in a hurry. A small, agile Body like Flea lets you zip around the battlefield with dizzying speed, but you better be able to translate that into dodging enemy attacks, or you’ll find these lightly armored Tanks are a recipe for a fast respawn.
This tough Titan on the far end of the bridge gets its hands on the flag (it’s a chicken!) and is able to withstand a ridiculous amount of punishment without giving it up to the other team.
Each Body has certain strengths that can help form the foundation of a successful strategy. In a Titan you may not be running people down, but if you can use a Stun Grenade or Relay Drone to get the drop on them, a smaller tank won’t be able to stand up to your bulk in close quarters. Conversely, a smaller Tank like a Scout offers you a chance to position yourself more deliberately and outmaneuver your foes, but you’ll need to invest a lot more effort in dodging incoming attacks to stay alive.
Less Armor doesn’t always mean easier to kill. This super-fast Flea gets in and out with hardly a scratch.
Some Tank Bodies will be easier to get the hang of for you than others. No two players have the exact same strategy, and the best way to figure out what you like to play is to just play! Maybe you’ll discover that you love a quick little murder machine, or you could learn that something with a little slower pace lets you more calmly exact your plans and follow through. The best Tank Body is always the one that plays to its Pilot’s strengths…that’s you!
Tank Weapon
The Weapon that you choose to combine with your Tank Body will have a big impact on how you play. There are tons of Weapons available in Spider Tanks, and they each have their own distinct style. Every Weapon has different firing patterns, rate, range and damage.
The Scout and Flea on the right know their Weapons’ ranges and the range of their opponent. They draw back to dodge the enemy Flea’s Laser Blaster, then use the Crossbow’s superior range to end the standoff.
Each Weapon brings new strengths and weaknesses to the arena. Some weapons like the Shotgun or Flamethrower do massive damage, but have very limited range. The Gatling Gun can throw out huge storms of bullets, but will leave you helpless while it reloads. The Repair Artillery or Repair Gun won’t do much damage to enemies, but will heal your allies.
Many Weapons have totally unique behavior — like the Finisher from the WhaleShark Tank. This Hero Tank Weapon launches torpedoes that swim across the arena, homing in on your opponents before exploding.
This Titan’s Shotgun doesn’t have the range to keep up with the Scout it’s chasing, but a little help from a Relay Drone teleport lets it close in for the kill.
Since every Weapon has its own signature style, the best way to learn what works best for you is to hop into the game and get experimenting! Did you know you can try out every Tank Body and Weapon that exists in the Shooting Range?
Props, Skins and Abilities
Now we get to the bells and whistles. Your Tank is mostly assembled now that you have a Weapon and Body, but those little extra customizations can often be what help you edge out the competition.
First, there are Props and Skins. These are both cosmetic additions to your Tank. They can be player-owned items, and some impart special passive bonuses when worn. Props are an extra feature that your Tank will wear like a hat, and Skins are a total paint job for your Tank– some with intricate patterns.
Even if you don’t own any Skins, there are a few free options available with some sweet cosmetic customization.
There’s a wide array of Props and Skins available, and they’ll often add small but useful bonuses to your stats. This can help cover some of your weaknesses, or it can pump up your strengths.
The Cat Ears are deceivingly cute, and give you a little more feline-like agility.
Last we come to Abilities. These are not player-owned Tank Parts, but instead a wide array of tools and tricks that every Pilot can use on any Tank build. Some abilities will help repair or protect you and allies, some will debilitate or slow down opponents, and some just pack some extra firepower.
The Abilities you choose really help define the nuances of your playstyle.
Each Tank can choose two Abilities. Each Ability has an Energy cost you must pay to use it during a match and every Ability has a cooldown. Otherwise, you’re free to use Abilities as often as you have Energy for them.
Choosing the right Abilities to complement your playstyle is crucial for victory in many matches. Everybody has access to the same pool of Abilities. Watch and learn from how other Pilots use their Abilities, and get in there and try out every combo you can think of!
Ready to Rumble?
You now have the basic knowledge you need to start your rise to glory as a Pilot. There’s a lot more that you’ll need to learn along the way, but the arena itself will be your best teacher.
While we’ve tried to give you the crash course on constructing your Tank here, we haven’t spent much time talking about what makes a great team and a winning strategy.
To dive into that, it’s time to hit part two. Hopefully you already feel a bit more comfortable getting in the driver’s seat and taking your education into your own hands!
Today speed and agility take center stage as we unmask some of the most reliable strategies with the Bandit Body!
Welcome to another installment of The Spider Tanks Showcase! This week we’ll be looking at a Body that excels in quickness, but unlike other super speedy Bodies — likehttps://links.gala.com/1AwOxqLF — the Bandit still brings balanced gameplay to the arena.
The Bandit gives up some of its Armor for an extra Speed advantage, but it doesn’t quite go to the extreme of some other Tank Bodies. Bandit still maintains a fairly respectable amount of Energy and Armor to ensure that Speed isn’t the only weapon in its arsenal.
Unlike its smaller cousins, this makes the Bandit not only capable of running down enemy tanks, but means they control the situation more when they actually catch them. A Bandit isn’t heavily Armored, but it can take a shot or two if it means unleashing destruction on multiple opponents. It still has the speed to dictate pace and positioning in most matchups… without feeling like it’s made of glass that drank too much espresso.
Hot Pursuit: Bandit/Lava Launcher
Bandit finds that nice middle ground where it can run down most fleeing Tanks without having to go out of its way to dodge every single hit. Whenever your team can get an enemy Tank separated from the support of their teammates, a Bandit can usually run them down and force them into further disorganization.
While we had the burning balls of the Lava Launcher in mind for this, it can work with any linear weapon that has decent range and gets more threatening as you get closer to the enemy. Cannon, Beat Blaster, Gatling Gun and many others could all potentially be great combos here!
This isn’t the cleanest strategy, and you’re going to take some hits. Remember to use your speed to run around and pick up some Armor after you go toe to toe with someone, or pack a Repair Drone to keep a repair on you when you need it most.
Tactical Assault: Bandit/Rocket Artillery
We’ve talked about controlling from a distance before, but compared to larger Tanks with heavier Armor, a Bandit brings a totally different feel to this playstyle. Laying down fire from a distance can be much more versatile at applying pressure to your foes.
Those enemy Tanks won’t let you just rain down rockets on them forever without coming for you. With a Bandit, you can outrun most everyone who gives you chase but you still have enough Armor to take the random shot. This flexibility allows you to focus on repositioning, rather than having to worry about dodging every single hit or running away from the action when someone comes after you.
This strategy can also be adapted to work with Repair Artillery. You’ll still do a little bit of damage to keep pressure on your opponents, but your efforts will be more dedicated to keeping your allies’ defenses hard. Bandit’s Speed is especially important playing this way, since annoyed Tanks will be chasing you around once they find they can’t destroy your teammates.
Look at Me: Bandit/Beatblaster
Bandit isn’t an impenetrable mass of metal like a Titan or even thehttps://links.gala.com/063Pku51, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t meat shield up to provide openings for your teammates! Grab your opponent’s attention, then keep it by closing in on them while your squishier allies sneak up behind.
Since Bandit isn’t a super bulky Tank, a lot of opponents will prioritize attacking you to remove a threat from the field. With Bandit’s maneuverability though, quickly getting you out of the way may be easier said than done. The less ridiculous speed of Bandit compared to faster Tanks can actually provide a benefit here, since you’ll have a little easier time controlling your weapons and quick cornering.
We chose the Beat Blaster from Snoop’s Bumpin’ Lowrider for this one, since it pushes the opposing Tank around when you get up close — further making the walls close in on your enemy. This could really be done with anything that keeps you maneuverable though. Keeping a Tank’s attention glued to you is more about positioning than what type of firepower you bring.
Out Like a Bandit
The Bandit may not be the fastest Tank around, but it packs more than enough Speed to be a versatile contender in any matchup. There are tons of cool and effective ways to play a Bandit. Try out different ways and see what works best for you!
Some rarities of Bandits are still available for purchase in the Gala Games Store!
Next week, things are going to get a little spooky around here. We’ll be zooming in on the harrowingly horrifying king of Halloween in the arena– The JACKED O’ Lantern!
Got builds for this fan favorite pumpkin? Let us know on Discord or in the comments below! We love to feature community feedback on strategies in these spotlights, so give us a shout to share your pumpkin wisdom!
Today speed and agility take center stage as we unmask some of the most reliable strategies with the Bandit Body!
Welcome to another installment of The Spider Tanks Showcase! This week we’ll be looking at a Body that excels in quickness, but unlike other super speedy Bodies — like the Flea that we’ve previously showcased — the Bandit still brings balanced gameplay to the arena.
The Bandit gives up some of its Armor for an extra Speed advantage, but it doesn’t quite go to the extreme of some other Tank Bodies. Bandit still maintains a fairly respectable amount of Energy and Armor to ensure that Speed isn’t the only weapon in its arsenal.
Unlike its smaller cousins, this makes the Bandit not only capable of running down enemy tanks, but means they control the situation more when they actually catch them. A Bandit isn’t heavily Armored, but it can take a shot or two if it means unleashing destruction on multiple opponents. It still has the speed to dictate pace and positioning in most matchups… without feeling like it’s made of glass that drank too much espresso.
Hot Pursuit: Bandit/Lava Launcher
Bandit finds that nice middle ground where it can run down most fleeing Tanks without having to go out of its way to dodge every single hit. Whenever your team can get an enemy Tank separated from the support of their teammates, a Bandit can usually run them down and force them into further disorganization.
While we had the burning balls of the Lava Launcher in mind for this, it can work with any linear weapon that has decent range and gets more threatening as you get closer to the enemy. Cannon, Beat Blaster, Gatling Gun and many others could all potentially be great combos here!
This isn’t the cleanest strategy, and you’re going to take some hits. Remember to use your speed to run around and pick up some Armor after you go toe to toe with someone, or pack a Repair Drone to keep a repair on you when you need it most.
Tactical Assault: Bandit/Rocket Artillery
We’ve talked about controlling from a distance before, but compared to larger Tanks with heavier Armor, a Bandit brings a totally different feel to this playstyle. Laying down fire from a distance can be much more versatile at applying pressure to your foes.
Those enemy Tanks won’t let you just rain down rockets on them forever without coming for you. With a Bandit, you can outrun most everyone who gives you chase but you still have enough Armor to take the random shot. This flexibility allows you to focus on repositioning, rather than having to worry about dodging every single hit or running away from the action when someone comes after you.
This strategy can also be adapted to work with Repair Artillery. You’ll still do a little bit of damage to keep pressure on your opponents, but your efforts will be more dedicated to keeping your allies’ defenses hard. Bandit’s Speed is especially important playing this way, since annoyed Tanks will be chasing you around once they find they can’t destroy your teammates.
Listen Up: Bandit/Beatblaster
Bandit isn’t an impenetrable mass of metal like a Titan or even the Nomad that we focused on last week, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t meat shield up to provide openings for your teammates! Grab your opponent’s attention, then keep it by closing in on them while your squishier allies sneak up behind.
Since Bandit isn’t a super bulky Tank, a lot of opponents will prioritize attacking you to remove a threat from the field. With Bandit’s maneuverability though, quickly getting you out of the way may be easier said than done. The less ridiculous speed of Bandit compared to faster Tanks can actually provide a benefit here, since you’ll have a little easier time controlling your weapons and hitting those quick corners.
We chose the Beat Blaster from Snoop’s Bumpin’ Lowrider for this one, since it pushes the opposing Tank around when you get up close — further making the walls close in on your enemy. This could really be done with anything that keeps you maneuverable though. Keeping a Tank’s attention glued to you is more about positioning than what type of firepower you bring.
Out Like a Bandit
The Bandit may not be the fastest Tank around, but it packs more than enough Speed to be a versatile contender in any matchup. There are tons of cool and effective ways to play a Bandit. Try out different ways and see what works best for you!
Some rarities of Bandits are still available for purchase in the Gala Games Store!
Next week, things are going to get a little spooky around here. We’ll be zooming in on the harrowingly horrifying king of Halloween in the arena– The JACKED O’ Lantern!
Got builds for this fan favorite pumpkin? Let us know on Discord or in the comments below! We love to feature community feedback on strategies in these spotlights, so give us a shout to share your pumpkin wisdom!
