Tank (Q2) | |
Health |
750 |
Attack Damage |
50 (rocket), 30 (blaster) 20 (bullet) |
Found in | |
[Source] |
“ | These metallic beasts can endure massive gunfire. | ” |
—Quake 2 Manual |
In Quake 2, the Tank is a large, heavily armed and armored behemoth. Due to its array of armaments and heavy armor plating, it is slow and cumbersome, but no less deadly. Despite its name, it doesn't look like a traditional Human-operated tank. However, just like a Human tank, it is highly resistant to small arms fire, and carries a powerful arsenal of weapons rivaled only by the Tank Commander.
It is first confronted in Unit 2, towards the end of the level, and is fairly rare throughout the rest of the game, although by Unit 8 it becomes uncommon and in Unit 9 it is completely phased out, being replaced entirely by its big brother, the Tank Commander.
Weapons
Machinegun
The Tank's right arm is a Machinegun, which is even less of a threat than the Enforcer or Gunners. It shoots in a wide arc in the players direction, with barely one or two bullets actually hitting. If the player has high health, then it is rather safe continue his/her attack on the Tank until it changes to one of its other, more deadly attacks. If you crouch, you will avoid this attack completely.
Light Blaster
The Tank's left arm is a Light Blaster that fires three blasts in a row, dealing high damage. Whilst it is possible and easy to dodge this attack, the damage it deals is not worth the risk so it is much safer to take cover, wait for the attack to finish and then continue with your own attack.
Rocket Launcher
The Tank's most powerful attack is a shoulder mounted Rocket Launcher. The Tank's Rocket Launcher is among the deadliest attacks in the game and makes fighting the Tank in open ground something to avoid at all costs. The Tank can launch a seemingly unlimited stream of rockets which it can aim where the player is about to move to whilst dodging the one before it. For this reason, it is important to face the Tank where there is cover available. If the player takes cover when the Tank launches this attack, it will only fire three rockets before moving to the next attack.
Strategies
- The Tank possesses incredible power, but it is severely disabled by its slow speed which can easily be used to the player's advantage.
- Alone, you should use a high-powered weapon, such as the Railgun (5 hits to kill it) either by taking pot shots from behind cover or circle-strafe around it with ease due to it's low speed. One BFG10K shot will severely decrease it's health, coupled with a shot or two from the Railgun will make an easy kill of this powerful Enemy.
- With other enemies, the Tank should be your first priority, unless you plan to provoke infighting between him and other Strogg. If you let a Tank live while you're fighting off other enemies, it can inflict major damage with its attacks, especially with its rockets.
- The Tank's machinegun attack provides good opportunities to provoke infighting due to its spreading pattern. Treat it the same as one Tank, but try to be aware of your surroundings while you're circle-strafing him so that you don't accidentally bump into another enemy.
- In situations like infighting between Tank and another Strogg, the BFG is the best option for an easy getaway. If possible, aim the BFG at the Tank to deal the maximum damage to it and it will also deal damage to surrounding enemies if not kill them. Then clean up what's left with a weaker gun.