Spotting enemy | Game mechanics World of Tanks Guide

We know how to fire and how to inflict damage, but we still do not know what the factors on view range are and how to spot an enemy. In this chapter I'll try to explain this briefly.

In World of Tanks we distinguish Draw Distance and Spotting Range. First term describes a distance, from which we are able to see a tank model in the game. This value can be changed in game options and if your computer is powerful enough, I suggest setting it to high. Otherwise, players with maximum value of this option will have advantage over us.

Spotting range is a derivative of the view range, which can be checked in descriptions of tank and its turret. This value is modified by the commander's effective primary skill level, additional crew members' skills (Recon and Situational Awareness), and usage of equipment (Coated Optics and Binoculars) and after that it is modified by enemy's Camouflage. Such calculated spotting range is specific for each opponent and its position on the map. Since these calculations are quite complex and you need to take into account a number of variables, it is best to remember a few simple rules for spotting range in the game:

• Minimum spotting range is 50 meters. Every opponent within this range will be automatically spotted, even if he is located on the other side of the building.
• Maximum spotting range is 445 meters. If we see enemy tank on the greater distance, we can fire at him and he won't spot us anyway.
• The greater distance, the longer spotting the enemy. For this reason, the enemy at distance of several hundred meters can pass between rocks/buildings before we can spot him.
• An enemy is spotted from 5 to 10 seconds (this time can be increased by Designated Target perk of a gunner)
• If we hide behind bushes/trees, that after fire we lose a camouflage made by these bushes/trees in 15 m range from the tank. So when we use the tank destroyers, it is better to sty more than 15 meters from the cover.

After shot, bushes/trees in 15 m range from our tank are no longer providing camouflage. More distant bushes and trees still reduced our detectability.

In addition to spotting enemy by our vehicle, we can also get information about locations of other players with radio communication. A rule for that is simple: if our ally spots the enemy, it is enough that a distance between our tank and our ally's tank is less than the sum of respective radio ranges of both vehicles. Conclusion is simple: if we want to fire at greater distance or use the artillery, we have to install the best possible radio.

Vehicle A and B are communicating with each other, talking about enemy positions. HEAT is out of radio range, so it won't see tank positions spotted by A and B.

Tips for beginners: types of vehicles

Once you get familiar with in-game tutorial and complete all eight beginners missions (rewarded by one of the premium tanks available in the game), it is time to closer study vehicles available for us and to polish our skills as a tank commander.