Left 4 Dead Survivor Game Guide: Killing Tanks
L4D Tips, Hints, and Weapon Strategies on How to Kill The Tank
Mar 30, 2009
The Tank's bulging muscles are capable of punching survivors great distances, knocking cars and other objects around with ease, and hurling large slabs of concrete hundreds of feet. To make matters worse, The Tank's HP is enormous, forcing teams to concentrate fire to take him down. The Tank is by far the most challenging adversary in Left 4 Dead.
L4D The Tank Stats and Info
The following info was obtained from the Left 4 Dead Wikia and Left 4 Dead Forums:
- HP: 4000-8000, varies with difficulty (6000 in Versus)
- 24/33/100+ damage per punch, varies with difficulty (24 in Versus)
- 24/33/100+ damage per rock throw, varies with difficulty (24 in Versus)
- The rocks can be shot out of the air
- The Tank's most deadly attack is punching large objects like cars into survivors, sometimes resulting in killing all four simultaneously
- The Tank can punch survivors off buildings and tall hills, resulting in instant death
- Headshots do not deal extra damage
- The Tank receives 25% less damage by Auto Shotguns in Versus
The Tank can easily ruin a team's chances of survival on higher difficulties and in Versus mode, so watch out!
L4D Strategies - Listen for The Tank
Every step the Tank takes is an obvious indicator that he's on the way, even more obvious is the dramatic music that ques as soon as a Tank spawns. However, sometimes the music doesn't play immediately, so make sure to listen for other audio indicators like the clunking footsteps and survivors screaming in awesome terror.
Also keep in mind that the last map of each campaign will always have 2-3 Tanks before the rescue vehicle arrives.
Killing Tanks with Fire and Molotov Cocktails
Molotov cocktails are the most effective means of Tank disposal. After lighting the Tank aflame, his health not only drains quickly, but The Tank effectively has a 40 second (or so) countdown timer before he dies regardless of health.
A common tactic is to light 'em up and run, run, run. This only works well with a fully green (health) team with excellent cooperation. Splitting up simply means getting picked off by hunters and smokers. So if the plan is to run, pick a path and run together.
Keep Your Distance, but Stick Together
The most common Tank tactic is to simply charge forward and punch survivors to death. If The Tank charges like this, the easiest counter no matter the map is for survivors to stick as close to each other as possible, while keeping as far away from The Tank as possible and simultaneously aiming at the heart of the beast.
What is the Best Weapon for Killing The Tank?
Good question! But since Valve isn't considerate enough to give us a flamethrower, there is no singularly powerful weapon for defeating The Tank. The Auto Shotgun was once the crowning champion, but the last patch gave The Tank a 25% reduction in damage in Versus.
While it mostly comes down to preference, the Uzi and Assault Rifle do an excellent job. Their high fire rate, damage, and range allows for heavy HP draining from a safe distance, and is less likely to deal friendly fire damage than an Auto Shotgun. With 2-3 assault rifles constantly blasting away, The Tank won't last long.
Running Circles around The Tank
No joke, one of the most effective strategies to Tank destruction is finding a sturdy tree to run laps around while firing. A tree, pillar, or other non-destructive map item can provide cover from rocks and melee strikes.
Killing Tanks in Open Areas and Closed Areas
Generally speaking, killing The Tank in an open area is far easier than an enclosed one, because it gives survivors room to dodge attacks. However, most open areas contain deadly objects such as cars, dumpsters, dead trees, fork lifts, etc. If you suspect such an item is nearby, run to an enclosed location and battle it out there instead.
Note: Since the latest update, allowing Tanks to punch multiple opponents in one strike, closed in areas are a deathtrap. While flying cars and forklifts are still much more deadly, hiding out inside cramped quarters will likely lead to multiple survivors getting hit with one punch.
Xbox 360 Left 4 Dead Survivor Guide: Killing Tanks - Conclusion
Defeating The Tank requires teamwork and on-the-fly planning. The Tank, even after receiving a significant boost, is still no match for a calm, cooperative team of gun-toting survivors.
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