Many newcomers asks developers and themselves: "What advantages will give me donate? Is it possible to play without it with same results?" Here is article about how WG represents donating in WoTB - http://wotblitz.eu/en/news/pc-browser/guides/guide-gold-premium-features/, but in this topic we'll discuss about how it influence gameplay in deed.
I'll try to answer this questions and other players will supplement me (at least I hope so). So, here we go.
First of all I should explain difference between Free-To-Play (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Free-to-play), Pay-To-Play (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pay_to_play) and Pay-To-Win (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Free-to-play#Criticism). After reading this articles you should know what it is and at the end of this post you should decide how it looks like in WoTB.
"What advantages will give me donate?":
1. Premium account
You can get 50% more EXP and silver per match. And if with EXP 50% are absolutely number, then with silver it gives even more income (you are getting clear 50% income increase because repair, ammo and consumables are already withhold from regular 100% of profit per match, I mean you don't have to pay that withhold from additional 50% again). This way you can increase your real silver income more than in 50% Also, 50% more EXP means that you'll have to play approximately 50% less games to get top vehicle (spent 50% less time on stock tank).
2. Premium tanks
After few "starter" battles you can buy premium tanks. What it gives you? You are getting top upgraded tank with a 100% Mastery level crew, so you don't have to spent time and nerves to get it from stock to top. Also, Premium tanks have higher credit income and lower repair cost. So, even on high tier battles you can grind silver (or, depending on your play, lose less silver) Also, some parts from some premium tanks are same as in regular tanks, and, theoretically (I didn't check, hope some premium tank's users will help us), after you buy that premium tank, that part would be available for regular tank without researching it "again". Also, most premium tanks have preferential matchmaking rules.
3. Premium ammo
Premium ammo have better penetration abilities that allows you to penetrate those enemies which you can't damage with regular ammo. That means, if you use premium ammo as regular, you have ability to do more damage per battle and, in accordance, get more EXP and silver
4. Crew EXP
With a new tank crew starts with 50% mastery, but gold allows you gain 100% mastery immediately. What does it influence? Crew mastery increasing vehicle characteristics (your can watch it in "Training crew" settings). Usually, difference between tank's characteristics with 50% and 100% mastered crew similar to difference between stock and top tanks configuration. Also, crew skills training starts only after crew get 100% mastery on certain tank. So, getting 100% mastered crew from the start gives you instant and clear (without any penalties like weight or dispersion increase) tank characteristics grows and earlier crew skills training start.
5. EXP to FreeEXP conversation
Only 5% of you EXP "converts" to FreeEXP. Donate allows you to convert any "binded" EXP (for example, from premium tanks) to FreeEXP, which can be used to start play on regular (non-premium) vehicle with top configuration or accelerate crew skills training.
6. Gold to silver conversation
If you have lack of silver (for new tank or equipment), you can just buy silver for gold.
7. Extra silver to EXP "conversation"
If you have an extra silver, you don't care about consumables use cost. This can give you (or not) little (after updates - big) advantage in battle and, in accordance, little more EXP (or not ).
After updates:
8. Instant Upgrade (module research without spending XP).
Now you can easily skip painful stock tank battles. Which will save your time/free_XP, nerves and will increase you win rate (if someone care about that).
9. Instant equipment research.
"Is it possible to play without donate with same results?":
Yes, it's possible. But it's way much harder (especially if other players donate): Most "heavy donate" players don't know what it is - to play stock unmastered tank without premium ammo, so, almost every battle regular player starts with weaker vehicle. But, anyway, gold can't buy you victory. It can significantly increase your chances, but don't replace player skills. Also, still too much depends on "Great Belorussian Random"
I can make some advices for newcomers how to save some gold or nerves (if playing without donating) on the way to top tiers:
- Don't hurry. Try to grind more silver and crew experience (if vehicle mastered) before going to next tier. You'll regain some "lost for waiting" EXP by receiving more victories (less defeats) in the start of new tier play.
- Start with slow tanks (usually heavy or tank destroyers). They are easier in control and more suitable for learning. I was starting with them and, if I would start again, I would do the same.
- Try to go parallel tank research trees. This way you'll get more x2 EXP for first win and will better know other tanks advantages and disadvantages. That will increase your real average EXP per battle and, in accordance, decrease battle number for getting top configuration, which would decrease your "stock battles" number and increase your chances for victory faster. Also, higher levels usually plays more experienced players, that's why high level battles more difficult for newcomers.
- In tech branches chose those vehicles, which allows you to open more vehicles with one tank (like Tiger (P), T-34, M4A3E8, Panther etc.). This way you'll don't have to grade every tank from zero just to open next one (you'll be able to skip some tanks in branches). So, it will save you some silver (not buying new tank and equipment) and crew skills EXP (it will not be spent on getting new tank crew mastery to 100% before EXP will go to skills training).
- On higher tiers (VI and above) it makes reason for waiting for discounts before buying next tier vehicle. Check "News" to sell previous tier vehicle before discounts.
- Buy garage slots with your gold when they come on discount. (thanks to Dans79Vet for advice)
- After buying new vehicle always grade crew mastery at least to 75%.
- Don't spent silver and Spare parts on high level equipment for those tanks you don't plan to play long.
- After 1-2 battles on new vehicle, counting weakest sides of it, use FreeEXP (if you have enough) for most important upgrades (without each comfortable playing is impossible).
Hope information above was useful for someone. Good luck on the battlefields!
P.S.
Thanks to sk8xtrm and ZeberkoApertureScience8 for criticism and corrections. I appreciate it
Edited by b0zel, 16 May 2017 - 10:26 AM.