Don't be a lone wolf. Cower behind the higher tiered tanks.

I was going to cower behind big tanks anyways. Good to know it's a viable strategy.

As someone who's only experience with a standard tank was the MS-1 on my way to the SPG line, I've come to the conclusion that I can't play regular tanks with any degree of effectiveness.

So much for my S-51.

Don't use trees as cover. When you topple em, it only alerts good SPGs to your position and doesn't provide any cover bonuses. Also try to learn weak spots on enemy tanks as well as your own.

Using trees as cover is perfectly acceptable so long as you aren't expecting them to take a shot for you. You just don't be a ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ and push them over. They do provide a camo bonus and can keep you hidden.

Felled trees do not provide camo
If you can help it always hide behind some bushes, if you are close enough to them they will be see through and you will be camoflagued
A good scout tank stays hidden and spots enemies, he doesn't rush ahead to destroy the arty and get killed
Go with the pack if you're unfamiliar with a map, you can never hold an area by your own, or even ask for help and form a small group
Be careful with jumps thanks to the new update, if your tracks and durable enough you can easily damage them
That's about all the hints I can give you..
The Wargaming.net Youtube videos can be quite helpful, I posted one a few pages ago that might be of use

EDIT: Oh also, firing gives away your position, like, a dead giveaway. I can't give you any advice about Teamkillers, but it happens and they are clowns

So, after having played for a few hours, i have come to a conclusion.

This game is fun.
I like the little numbers that pop up, and being an SPG is great.
I like the fact that you have to play together to win. I killed an enemy as an SPG once and thought "Good, now he won't kill me teammates." Instead of "Sweet, I got a kill".
Also, tank charges are fun.

HOO BOY

YOU HAVE NO IDEA WHAT KIND OF FRESH HELL AWAITS

I'm only at tier two.
What kind of fresh hell awaits me at higher tiers?


I also noticed the average age for the game seems to be around 14. Is that normal?

the higher you go in tiers, the more pants-on-head retarded the playerbase is and the more inscrutable the devs' balancing

also, that fact may be a reason for the awful playerbase

Also get ready to fight tier VIXIM heavies when you're just a tier 4 light.

I usually like to believe the higher tiers know what they're doing so I feel safer, though yes, pants-on-head retarded is an accurate description
ie. Not playing the objective, participating in tank rushes that will obviously fail by which leaving key points and the arty unprotected and abandoning your teammates who actually tried to hold a key point

Quite the tale MLC, odd path to take right down the centre though...

Izen: If you're sticking with SPGs, the fresh hell awaiting you is 35 second reloads with a 100% crew, shell rammer, and vents (all of which contribute to reducing loading speed) and ammo that costs over 1800 credits a round. You will feel each missed shot like a hard punch to the gut.

On the bright side, sometimes you do over 2000 damage on a direct hit.

So it's a mixed blessing.

I'm good at leading shots, so it hopefully won't be too much of an issue.