You've mastered the controls and you know the rules. Now it's time to elevate your game. This advanced strategy guide for Tank Battle 1990 is designed for players who want to move beyond survival and truly dominate the battlefield. We'll explore expert-level tactics that the pros use to clear stages efficiently and rack up high scores. This is not about how to play; it's about how to win.
Threat Prioritization and Enemy Control
A common mistake is to shoot at any enemy that appears. An advanced player, however, assesses threats and eliminates them based on their potential danger. This Tank Battle 1990 strategy involves active targeting.
- Initial Rush Defense: In most levels, one or two tanks are programmed to make a beeline for your base. Your first priority should always be identifying and neutralizing these initial rushers. Ignore other tanks until your base is safe.
- Targeting Armor Tanks: Armor Tanks are slow but absorb four hits, making them a significant time sink. The best strategy is to engage them in open areas where you can land multiple shots quickly. Avoid fighting them in tight corridors where they can pin you down. A highly effective tactic is to bait them into the open, land a shot, retreat, and repeat.
- Handling Fast and Power Tanks: These are the most dangerous threats to your base after the initial rushers. Their speed allows them to flank you easily. The best strategy is to control the map by destroying brick walls to create long, clear firing lanes. This allows you to engage them from a distance before they get close.
Strategic Power-Up Management
Power-ups are random, but your use of them should be strategic. A key Tank 1990 strategy is knowing when to grab a power-up and when to leave it.
- The Shovel Advantage: The Shovel, which fortifies your base with steel, is arguably the most powerful defensive item. A pro strategy is to leave the power-up on the field until the Shovel's effect from a previous pickup is about to expire. This maximizes the time your base is invulnerable.
- Calculated Bomb Usage: Don't use the Bomb power-up the moment you get it. The ideal time to use it is when multiple high-threat tanks (like Armor or Power Tanks) are on screen, especially if they are closing in on your base. Using it on a single Basic Tank is a waste.
- The Risk of the Third Star: While collecting two Stars is essential for maximizing your firepower, the third star, which lets you destroy steel, can be a double-edged sword. It can be useful for eliminating enemies hiding behind steel, but it also means you can accidentally destroy your own defensive walls. Advanced players are often cautious about picking up the third star unless the map requires it.
Two-Player Cooperative Tactics
Playing with a partner opens up a new dimension of strategy. Effective communication and role designation are key.
- Designated Defender: A highly effective co-op strategy is to assign one player as the designated "Defender" whose primary job is to stay near the base and eliminate any immediate threats. The other player, the "Attacker," can then roam the map more freely to hunt down remaining enemies.
- Friendly Fire Awareness: Remember that you can temporarily freeze your teammate by shooting them. While this can be used strategically to "hold" a player with a valuable power-up (like a Shield) in a safe spot, it more often leads to accidental stuns in the line of fire. Be mindful of your partner's position at all times. This coordination is the ultimate test of your Tank Battle 1990 strategy.