Tusk Contract

[willow pelican]

Thoughts? I like the choice of all tanks up until Stage 6.

I don't like Tusk: Stage 03

Detect 3 or more vehicles in 2 winning battles

Detect 15 or more vehicles in any number of winning battles

Given the game in 2024 this will basically dump luck if you are single player.

[dense ermine]

dont be silly. If your playing a light and not spotting 5per game, you playing it wrong

[willow pelican]

its not the spotting , that's fine, its the winning thats hard and/or luck based. It takes more than 1 person to win a Tier 9 and up match.

[pseudo sparrow]

It is at least partially luck based. A lot of my losses tend to come from poor or absent scouting paired with a lack of counter-scouting. Playing a light yourself (I run mostly meds and tds normally) takes a lot of the randomness out of it. I was worried about that stage but managed to get it done in three consecutive games in my T49.

[fallen portal]

It was annoying AF, took me a long time to get that 1 because I had constant useless idiots in my team that would fcc up the game.

[willow pelican]

⬆️ This and I like the term "annoying". Before downgrade 6.0 all Merc Contracts had to be done in WWII. Now I am not a good /great player. But if I was attempting a contract I felt like I had a team with knowledge of the game to 'indirectly support' me in my tasks. I often got frustrated but it was with myself not others. In 2023/4 I get more frustrated with 'teams' when I ever did pre 6.0. CW is great for contracts, you don't loss silver for a start. But tasks where 'team required' Op's/tasks don't reflect on your individual skill to complete the job is 'frustrating'.

[pseudo sparrow]

The task I usually hate is the one to destroy immobilized tanks. On smaller contracts, I usually take something low tier with a high ROF, but usually have the kill yoinked after 4 or 5 consecutive tracking shots. On bigger contracts I typically resort to yolo ramming. I learned something this time though. I took my T49 again, because of the spotting damage component. It seems like any kill using HE counts. My first 4 kills all counted, and 3 of the 4 were on the move when I derped them in the behind.

[proper wigeon]

What’s the lowest tier you can play in?

[lean vale]

For the majority of the contract the lowest is tier 9

[proper wigeon]

For stage 3 as well?

[lean vale]

Yeah. Just checked all stages and tier 9 is lowest

[proper wigeon]

All right that makes it a little bit harder then

[lean vale]

I recommend an Era 1 light or MG tank for it. Got it done super easy

Also I could be wrong on this but for immobilized enemies I think if you blow the tracks off with the shot that kills it counts. But an MG or autoloader also makes it easy. I used the Amx 13 SS-11 tca and Marder 1a1 for it

[pseudo sparrow]

I was thinking about doing this, since I only have one tier 9 light tank, and no 10s. I have plenty of TDs tier 9+. The Thumper is my only cw tank, and I have only played it a few times. I don't understand the cw mechanics the same way I do ww2, though, and I assume I will be bad. At least for a while.

[lean vale]

I'm in the same boat. But as long as the contract progresses who cares about a few bad games

[grim gyro]

The spotting in winning battles didn’t take very long. I’m on the “destroy 4 tracked tanks” part of stage 4 and thinking it might take a while.

[willow pelican]

yep, I'm also finding this a bit boring. I've had about 6 tracked by me killed by another player on the second to last shot (just my bad luck, not stolen). Heaps of games I just died trying/looking for an opportunity. For the last 2 days I haven't played the game at all (i.e I don't care about winning, doing damage, playing strategically, doing my best etc. 100% selfish game play), just chasing this task.

[pseudo sparrow]

Get in an HE boat and you will complete in 4 kills. This was a revelation to me this time. A big HE shell breaks everything with a kill, so it gives you credit.

[willow pelican]

I'll try it. 👍

[willow pelican]

Done , luckily. 1 with an FV4005 1 shot kill yet somehow tracked. The last a FV light ram kill. No skill on my part.

Stage 5 is going to need even more luck (for me). Assist with spotting damage that totals at least 1x of your maximum health in 8 battles. Anyone doing this is 100% relying on 14 random players actually firing at and hitting Red tanks. Probably easier if you platoon I would imagine.

[lean vale]

If you can platoon def do it. I had pretty good luck and got it done in about 25 games using the RU-251 in WW2 solo. Definitely better to do in ww2

Gotta be pretty passive tho if you want to get far enough forwards to actually get the assists

[wraith pike]

I agree with above. WW2 for assist damage. You can do this with randoms

[willow pelican]

Only tank I could use is a Tier 9 TT Leo. Oh well looks like a lot of silver lost and getting blown up 😥

[grim gyro]

Got stage 4 done with the avre and deathstar firing hesh. Will try ru251 and 54ltwt for stage 5 tomorrow.

[willow pelican]

Thanks for the feedback.

[lean vale]

Gotta say stage 6 and 8 look like a bear to deal with. Restricting a pure XP requirement to just 2 classes is tough. Kinda wish the challenges like the spotting (which force you to play a light) were the restricted ones instead

[willow pelican]

Stage 5, Tier 9 Leo, dead, dead, dead no result. 200, 300, 450 etc short. Feeling like a coin toss each game combined with my lack of skill. Plus so many Lights in CW to reduce the chance of you spotting.

[amber acorn]

ah yes the tusk contract, that time of the year when there will be 5 light tanks per team completely ruining the matchmaking

[undone blaze]

Spotting for your health is going to be extremely difficult in the Tier 9 Leopard. At least in a CW light it is possible.

If you have to play WW2, you will likely need to get a tier 9 light tank. But playing a CW Era 1 light will probably get it done faster than grinding out and unlocking a tier 9 light.

[fallen portal]

Are you talking about the Spotting Damage bs we have to do for the contract?

[willow pelican]

To Max, I don't have any Tier 9 lights so my Leo has the best camo (under 300) and view range (470ish). To Truth, Stage 5." Assist with spotting damage that totals at least 1x of your maximum health in 8 battles." So that's about 1,700 for it to count. Getting over 1,000 has been easy in the Tier 9 Leo (even though I never play Tier 9) but in my case I need 1700 plus1 for it to count. Same health for my Era 1 lights.

I'm finding in CW there are just so many Lights running around in most games its random if you get the spotting damage or not.

[lean vale]

And so many tanks have high view range so good luck trying to get assist at all

[willow pelican]

Yep

[fallen portal]

Try with the Murat if you have it, that's how I did mine.
If you want I can help you with it if your still needing assistance with it.

[willow pelican]

I have Murat (never used it as I don't play Tier 10). Is it 'better' than the Tier 9 and 10 Leos?

[mint pagoda]

It's better than the TVP51/50

[willow pelican]

Which I also don't have 😎. I'm now hoping that the Green lights either all go one way so I go the opposite direction or I wait for them to die then try to spot. Just just so team dependent.

[willow pelican]

Well spotting is done, just XP and damage left. Pretty much as I expected, 90% luck for me. Now Stage 6 which is basically a long grind. Damage 200 vehicles in any number of battles
Earn 178,800 or more XP in any number of battles

RESTRICTIONS
Must play light tanks or tank destroyers
World War II mode: Available to Tiers IX – X
Cold War mode: Available to all Eras
Doesn't look good for the MM at all. I don't see the packs of Lights and FV4005 getting smaller per game.

[lean vale]

Stage 8 is the same story 780k xp lights and tds only

[willow pelican]

Yeah not good. I realize that this Contract is BCW (Before Cold War) and would have only affected Tiers 9 and 10 and fewer players would be attempting it. But in 2024 with CW its changed. Stages 1 to 5 give total options for players and therefore less impact on MM. But tank class restrictions does effect the MM now across 5 sections instead of 2.

[wraith pike]

The contracts are far easier than when they were introduced

You could only play specific tanks rather than any tank in a class

[undone blaze]

Stage 6 does not look too bad. I just started it as well. Damage 200 will get done by itself. Just basically xp.

Last stage is 780k. So this one is short in comparison.

[pseudo sparrow]

Yeah, stage 6 flying by. Just rolling through all the tier IX and X td's I have accumulated.

[fallen portal]

Sorry haven't been on in 2 days. But I'm not sure about the Leos, I know that it did help me out a lot though. Congrats on passing it, that 1 was annoying. I'm on # 7 now finally, the only annoying thing from that 1 too is the Spotting dmg but luckily it isn't the "Do 1x your hp" bs.

[willow pelican]

Thanks to all the above for their thoughts so far on the Tusk Contract in 2024.

[fallen portal]

How far have you gotten so far?

[willow pelican]

30,000 damage left stage 5 (took a break to finish a long haul and the Dragon OP). I think I will get the Contract done, not that I'll ever use it in PVP just in Coop and actually finish all the Merc tanks. I'm still unsure how much the current Contract are affecting MM.

[undone blaze]

They should probably quit including Era 1 in these tier 8-10 Contracts. Era 1 is where new players start. Era 1 is NOT comparable to tiers 8-10.

All that happens is experienced players roll out in the most powerful Era 1 tanks and grind out the contracts and grind up the new players trying to figure out the game.

[lean vale]

Good ol FV simulator in Era 1

[pseudo sparrow]

I followed your suggestion and unlocked a couple era 1 lights and td's. It seems like they don't even use TV at all, because I am only getting targeted when spotted. Only a few matches in, but hull down behind a cut tree cross mapping people in a td thanks to TV seems very profitable.

[proper wigeon]

New players should learn how to play the game the same way those experienced players did, by starting in WW2 and playing the whole line from t3-t10. And then try playing CW and using the experience they got from playing WW2, play with the true vision mechanics

[fallen portal]

Why not PvP?

[willow pelican]

Well I have always hated Tier 10. I don't like pek a boo side scraping, I hate the pen/armour of Teir 10 tanks, I don't like the pace. It made me want to uninstall the game when my mates made me play before downgrade 6.0. I never understood why they liked it. Its even worse now because of CW. I can drive around and have fun in my Centurion's tanks on equal terms with everyone else and not get smashed in Tier 10. I would play Tier 8 all day if it wasn't for Tier 10. For me, I would rather play, dare I say it, Arty than play Tier 10. So the Tusk for me is 1. Finish the collection and 2. Go for a drive every now and then in Coop.

[old geyser]

This for some reason took me the longest

Compared to stage 5 and 6

I needed 1 more spot and win but I just kept losing lmao like 7 times in a row

[willow pelican]

yeah you have so little control of what needs to be done.

[undone blaze]

The Tusk also not considered a very good tank. Too rng dependant. You fight the enemy team and rng both.

[pseudo sparrow]

I am getting it for the memes

[undone blaze]

I am getting it because I don't have it.

[pseudo sparrow]

Well, that too. Still missing 4 more merc tanks after this one.

[willow pelican]

Stage 7 Detect 395 or more vehicles in any number of battles

Assist with 58,500 or more damage due to you spotting vehicles in any number of battles

Earn 418,800 or more XP in any number of battles
the detect 395 could see a lot of yoloing to try and spot as many Reds ASAP.

[pseudo sparrow]

I had been reading that as "destroy 395 tanks"

Dang, this is the easiest contract ever. No kill component at all?

[willow pelican]

Not in Stage 7 as far as I can see. But there are going to be Lights everywhere

[willow pelican]

So Stage 6 game, 12 Lights and TD's each side .

[late holly]

Tanks from tier 8 should be allowed too

For the last steps...

[willow pelican]

This could spreed the load off Era 1.

[true lintel]

One message removed from a suspended account.

One message removed from a suspended account.

[willow pelican]

However I could be a 4 MOE Light player for example (which I am definitely not), spot my back side off, but if nobody hits what I'm spotting I'm helpless. Yes I'll probably damage/destroy myself all the Red Lights, take out some TD's myself and get a win. I'm still 100% reliant on someone else hitting what I spot.

[plain tinsel]

I believe it’s purely for the sake of making ww2 players grind some CW 😉 I like lights, fortunately I already have most of them so it’s fun for me, but if you’re a heavy player then I truly sympathise, as this contract might seem difficult.

[late holly]

Yes I usually play with heavy tanks, but there are not so much light tanks and TD in tier 9 and tier 10... that's why I think tier 8 should be allowed to add more vehicles.

Playing light tanks in CW is somehow useless because of the true vision... so it's not easy to make spot damages...

[plain tinsel]

I agree, it’s definitely not easy. It requires different approach, and is limited to bigger maps. And lastly, it’s much easier in era1. In era2 most assist I got was in FV4211 xD which is kind of op heavy.!

But I disagree regarding the amount of TDs and Lights. Used to be less.

But I agree if you haven’t grinded tier 9/10 light line and you don’t play CW then it’s gonna be difficult contract for you to finish. If you want I can help you with that, as spotting points strongly relies on performance from the rest of your teams 😉 I may play light to spot for you, or I can play as td and you’ll spot for me 🙂

That’s why you may use T

[grim gyro]

Kinda sucks that module damage doesn’t count as damage in stage 6

[willow pelican]

Thats interesting . On the official website it states "Damage 200 vehicles in any number of battles".

it does not have any details of what does or does not count as 'damage'.

[old geyser]

“Damage”

So you need to pen

[willow pelican]

So you can damage an internal module without penning the armour?

[lean vale]

You need to do damage aka pen them or splash with HE. Anything that takes away health

[willow pelican]

I forgot about WG logic 🤪. So WG assumes we read the word Damage as pen and not Module damage which is separate thing (although you can do both at the same time?).

[lean vale]

When it's module damage they say "damage modules"

[willow pelican]

um, OK thanks 👍. So the 'text' needs clarification.

[tawny cobalt]

Stage 2 was a bit ridiculous. Win 2 battles in a row - all for just over 4000 silver. I only did it as I was finishing off my dailies and qualifying for the Dune rewards.

[lean vale]

Gotta say I appreciate that Stage 7 allows 3 different classes of tanks. It's nice having the added option to help break the monotony of grinding out all that xp.

[tawny cobalt]

I'm impressed that you put up with the monotony that far. I only touched the Tusk contract as with 1 day left I wasn't getting any further on the previous contract.

[lean vale]

Ended up starting the Cold War Marder line since WW2 has just gotten too stale for me lately

and its worked pretty well, games are shorter so xp is getting earned faster

[tawny cobalt]

Yeah, each version of the game serves its own purposes.

[fallen portal]

The last stage should allow for an additional tank like a medium.

[old geyser]

I found it weird you can only play tier 9-10 in ww2 but all era in coldwar?

They want us to only play cw?

[willow pelican]

Probably

[willow pelican]

Ok, I've been on/off doing the Contract and I've got some XP to get.
"Earn 178,800 or more XP in any number of battles" My question is what XP does WG actually mean? What counts? What am I looking for in the end of battle figures.

[lean vale]

Did a little testing and it seems that it only counts xp that isn't from an event. So the base xp counts and then modifiers from premium account, premium tank, vehicle xp boosters, and daily double all count for the total.

It won't count things like string theory, bruiser, or season bonus which is unfortunate

[willow pelican]

So tank and crew booster would count you think? I've got the Season boosters which muddies the water I guess. I'll play a few games and do some maths, but I hate maths.

[lean vale]

Only would count the vehicle xp not the crew. But yes you can stack any sort of boosters. I've been running premium account and the occassional 2 or 3x vehicle xp in order to get pretty consistent 4k xp games. Progress is going swimmingly just need to stay in pace for side objectives

[willow pelican]

Cool. Yeah I've done the Damage 200 and have about 90,000 left for XP.

[willow pelican]

ok. The only tank XP that didn't count was Challenges. 😎

[willow pelican]

BUT, I can't use boosters. Just had 3 games, 3 losses, one sided, ammo raced twice, etc, etc. I hate wasting tank XP on tanks I've already grinded. I just can't do it. 🤐

[wary peak]

CW is suppose to be above T10 so that why it's 9-10 and CW. (like 11+)

[willow pelican]

So 6 down next Sage 7,

Detect 395 or more vehicles in any number of battles

Assist with 58,500 or more damage due to you spotting vehicles in any number of battles

Earn 418,800 or more XP in any number of battles
Premium Time – 3 Days
x2 Silver Booster (2)
x6 Commander XP Booster (2)
x3 Vehicle XP Booster (3)
2,981,600 Silver
RESTRICTIONS
Must play light tanks, medium tanks, or tank destroyers
oh, long and then long.

[late holly]

It was a mess to detect 395 ennemies, specially in CW because of the true vision...
I had to do it in WW2

[willow pelican]

Fair enough, especially if you are actually playing the game. I have zero Tier 9/10 lights so I won't play the game, just head flat out towards trouble, drive straight thru, and keep going. Zero consumables as always, die then repeat. 80 games should do it in CW.

[late holly]

I did the most of them with my T-54 LTWT and T-100 LT

Sometimes I spotted 7-8 opponents per battle

[willow pelican]

Final Stage requires 780000 XP. So if a player gets say 2,000 XP per go, that's around 385 battles.

[wary peak]

Play your daily X2 tanks that meet the requirement, still a lot of battles even with that.

I believe string theory also works and holidays when it's X3-5 on your dailies.

[old geyser]

challanges dont count towards contract xp boosters do

and the x2 counts

same for premium acc

[willow pelican]

80,000 XP left, 139 days to get it. I'm very tired of seeing and using TD's and lights.

[true lintel]

One message removed from a suspended account.

[lean vale]

remove TDs and let literally anything else do it at this point fr even arty

[undone blaze]

Too many light tanks and tank destroyers are bad for the game. this contract encourages both. It is had had a very bad affect on CW. I have given up on CW for the time being.

Era 1 was already bad with all the FV4005s. Now it is worse.

Era 2 has way too many light tanks.

Era 3 is still infested with Wiesels.

Probably just best to allow all classes at this point. Who cares if someone uses a medium or heavy to get the Tusk? Better than destroying the MM until the end of summer.

[willow pelican]

⬆️ Yes. The old idea of type locking is having a huge impact on the MM in CW and WWII modes. If the business concept with Contracts is get players to play more games, fine not a issue. Just remove the class restrictions.

[lean vale]

problem is that the official statement on the contract model is: "to get players to experiement with classes they wouldnt normally play and push them outside their comfort zone"

It would be nice if WG would drop class restrictions but ofc they dont feel that way

[willow pelican]

Correct, that was the original idea. And with only WWII mode it worked as a lot of Contracts were 'to difficult ' due to Tier and time restrictions. But CW made any contract 'achievable'. If WG want to keep the original concept and to cater for CW, WG need to adjust the MM to reflect battles that allow players to equally take part and contribute. WG have already done it for arty. 2 artys, 3 Lights and TD's, 5 Mediums and Heavies per game. Use bots if required to shorten wait times.

[undone blaze]

All the TD's and light tanks are pushing EVERYONE outside their comfort zone, regardless if they have the contract or not. It is to a point that is discouraging players from playing rather than the intention of encouraging people to play more.

[willow pelican]

yes its counter productive to WG.

[solemn gull]

I’ve barely played at all, and when I do, it’s been at tier 5-6. They really need to stop these class only contracts.

[willow pelican]

Well I'm done. Got the Merc set now. Won't be doing the Chec TD contract

[undone blaze]

Seems like a solution for this time around is to modify and allow mediums and maybe even heavy tanks.

[willow pelican]

It would be great if the final stage of any contract was all types as its the longest XP grind.

[dense ermine]

its only 700k total, no big deal

[abstract monolith]

The TD count is nuts! Too many in MM for a very team and map and high skill cap tank. Of all the Merc grinds, this one had to be the biggest let down. Seems only @errant wing can make it work well

[errant wing]

You no like Tusk? Sad Panda Noises

[willow pelican]

Well having got it mine just sits in my garage, haven't even taken it out for a spin in Coop mode.

[abstract monolith]

Giving it a second chance…. Issue is I want to stop and shoot…. But that derp gun needs to be like 49 feet away to hit anything…. So I need to learn to just keep moving and slap tanks on the fly. Sort of a drive by kinda thing.

[dense ermine]

Let it pinch up in 3rd on gunner, or use un zoomed in 1st