Spotting is a crucial aspect of each World of Tanks match. Success on the battlefield often comes down to knowing how to spot and not be spotted yourself. For this World of Tanks tip of the week, we’re going to briefly cover a few basic details about spotting that may help you improve the next time you roll into battle.
Spotting Range & Camouflage
Spotting primarily comes down to two factors: spotting range and camouflage. The spotting range refers to a certain radius around your vehicle where an enemy can be spotted. This radius is calculated from the midpoint of your tank turret outward into a circle. Enemy tanks will need to be within this radius in order to be spotted by your tank.
The maximum distance that you can spot an enemy is 445 meters. Spotting range can be affected by several factors, including crew skills, equipment, and enemy concealment. Spotting range shouldn’t be confused with draw distance, which determines the overall range in which you are able to see allied and enemy tanks across the map.
Camouflage values, on the other hand, determine how well you are able to avoid being spotted by the enemy yourself. Increasing the camouflage of your tank will impact how quickly you can be spotted when within an enemy tank’s spotting range.
Improving Your Camo
There are several ways to improve the camouflage values of your tank that go beyond putting on a snazzy paint job. First, you can hide within bushes and foliage on the battlefield. When hiding in bushes or fallen trees, the outline of your tank gains partially concealed, reducing your likelihood of getting detected. Keep in mind that shooting while hiding in a bush causes the environmental camouflage from that bush to basically disappear, meaning that the bushes and shrubs within a 15-meter radius of your tank will no longer offer concealment. It’s a good idea to pick up and move to a new bush after firing to avoid being detected.
A better way to avoid being spotted is to take cover behind structures. Buildings, walls, boulders, and other solid obstructions make it very difficult for a scout to spot you without getting rather close to you. Note that spotting will occur instantly when within 50 meters of a tank.
There are also several crew skills and perks that can improve your tank’s camouflage values. The Camouflage skill should be the obvious choice, as it reduces your overall chances of being spotted and improves as the appropriate crew member progresses through training. This skill can combine with other camo-related equipment, such as the Camouflage Net, which provides a percentage bonus to your camo values when your tank isn’t moving.
Each tank you use will have different spotting capabilities and camouflage values that vary depending on tank type, tier, and nationality. During every battle, you should always think about how you can position yourself to prevent being spotted while playing your respective tank role. Likewise, light tank scouts should also consider where an opponent might hide to avoid being detected, in order to provide adequate spotting vision for their teammates.
While the core mechanics of spotting have remained the same, several adjustments to the visibility and spotting systems are coming with Update 9.16. Check back here for details on the new and improved spotting mechanics in World of Tanks.
