Dev Diary #2

Tanks

Encamp Team

Two tanks parked in a field next to a colonist, both showing crew counts in the colonist bar
Two crewed tanks sitting in the colonist bar like any other pawn.

Hey everyone! Encamp dev here. This diary is about the endgame, and the endgame is heavy armor and big explosions: tanks are coming to Encamp.

Tanks are expensive, slow-to-craft behemoths, and that's the point. A tank is the ultimate "F you" signal to enemies and friends alike. Imagine rolling up to a noob's base with a column of maxed-out soldier pawns behind you. Damn, you'd be cool.

Crews

Each tank needs at least one pawn driving and a second on the gun, and up to four pawns fit inside. Once crewed, a tank plays like a pawn: multi-select, action queuing, and everything else you already do with your squad works on it.

Weaknesses

Tanks are slow and expensive. On top of that, a tank is only yours while somebody conscious is inside: abandon one in the field, or let the crew get knocked out, and it's a freebie for any player who walks up to it. Be careful out there.

A tank firing in combat near blast craters, with an abandoned tank sitting further away
Craters, a live crew, and an abandoned tank waiting for a new owner.

How you can help

The game is still being built, so this is the best time to argue about them. Tell me:

  • What should a tank cost, in materials and in crafting time?
  • Is a four-pawn crew too big a commitment for your colony size?

Encamp is free and runs in your browser. Play it here, then come argue about tank design on the Encamp Discord.