In Spider Tanks, mastering tank abilities is crucial for achieving dominance on the battlefield. Each tank comes equipped with a set of unique abilities that can turn the tide of battle when used effectively. To better understand these abilities, it's essential to delve into their classifications and how they function within the game. This guide delves into the various tank abilities, their uses, and strategies to optimize gameplay.

If you are new to Spider Tanks, we recommend diving into our beginner's guide before continuing to read this one.

Firstly, we have the Control Abilities. These are designed to manipulate the battlefield, allowing players to dictate the flow of combat. By using control abilities, players can zone enemies out of specific areas, forcing them into unfavorable positions or preventing them from accessing crucial resources or vantage points. Whether it's pushing an opponent into a trap or keeping them at bay, control abilities are all about taking charge of the situation.

Next up are the Strategic Abilities. These abilities are not always straightforward but have specific use cases that cater to particular play styles. They require a keen sense of timing and an understanding of the game's mechanics. For instance, a player might deploy a strategic ability to ambush unsuspecting enemies or to create diversions, allowing teammates to execute their strategies. These abilities add depth to the gameplay, encouraging players to think several steps ahead and adapt to the ever-changing dynamics of the battlefield.

Lastly, the Defensive Abilities focus on tank preservation. In the heat of battle, it's not just about offense; defense plays an equally critical role. Defensive abilities are all about ensuring your tank remains operational for as long as possible. Whether it's deploying shields, activating damage absorption modes, or evading enemy fire, these abilities are crucial for those moments when retreat and regrouping are more strategic than charging headfirst into combat.

Abilities Breakdown

Control Abilities:

• Turrets (6-cost): Lasts 18 seconds, shooting up to 12 shots of single-target linear damage.
• Grenade (6-cost): Launches a grenade causing massive damage in a small area.
• Stun Grenade (6-cost): Similar to the grenade but stuns enemies for a few seconds.
• Artillery Turret (7-cost): Lasts 18 seconds, deals 10 shots of AOE damage.
• Machine Gun Turret (7-cost): Lasts 18 seconds, fires rapid low-damage bullets.
• Airstrike (8-cost): Calls in a line of six explosions after a short delay.

Strategic Abilities:

• Booster (4-cost): Boosts tank speed for 4 seconds.
• Decoy (4-cost): Creates a copy of your tank, sending it in a targeted direction.
• Disguise (5-cost): Makes you appear as an enemy for 10 seconds.
• Cloaking (5-cost): Lasts 15 seconds, revealing you when you attack, pick up life, or get hit.
• Smoke Canister (6-cost): Creates a cloud of smoke, concealing positions.
• Relay Drone (6-cost): Teleports your tank a short range.
• Grapple Launcher (6-cost): Shoots a hook, disabling any enemy caught for two seconds.
• Repulsor Zone (7-cost): Pushes enemies away from the central location.
• Vortex Zone (7-cost): Pulls enemies to the center.

Defensive Abilities:

• Shield Protector (5-cost): Blocks projectiles for 10 seconds or 7000 damage.
• Repair Drone (5-cost): Regenerates health over five seconds.
• Reactive Plating (6-cost): Absorbs received damage over 3 seconds and explodes.
• Shield Drone (6-cost): Blocks all incoming damage for 3 seconds.
• Regen Zone (7-cost): Heals all friendly tanks inside for six seconds.

Tips and Recommendations:

• Consider the game mode objective when selecting abilities.
• Keep the combined energy cost of abilities around 10 for frequent use.
• Large tank bodies generate energy faster, allowing for costlier abilities.
• Diversify abilities based on your team's and enemy's loadouts.

Spider Tanks offers a rich tapestry of abilities that cater to various play styles and strategies. Whether you're a player who likes to be on the front lines, controlling the flow of battle, or someone who prefers a more calculated approach, understanding and mastering these abilities is key to achieving success in the game.

Credit: The Daniel Droege Show