World of Tanks (Tactics: Hull Down & Peek-A-Boom)

Hello tankers, I have decided to write a guide about a maneuver that could come in extremely very useful in many battles when used proper. Whether it means protecting a flank or making it extremely difficult for the enemy tank to take you out, going hull down or playing peek-a-boom is a maneuver that should never be underestimated.

Hull down 

Going hull down means that you hide the hull of your tank whether it is behind a object (try to find one that isn't destructible such as a rock that could hide your hull but you could shoot over) or even having it that if you’re fighting on a hill your turret is the only thing peaking over the ledge. Tank destroyer can hull down but you can only hide your lower armor.

This is how you achieve hull down in the game...

As you approach a crest or rising undulation in the ground, go to maximum zoom with your sights. Next, pull forward slowly, until your inner sight ring just clears the crest-line or rise behind which you are going to go hull-down (as you level your reticle on the horizon beyond or on the enemy avenue of approach). You may adjust as you see fit, but the closer your reticle is to the crest line in your sight-picture, the lower your turret profile is, making your tank a much smaller target. 

For those of you who may need to achieve hull down on a steeper slope with a rear-mounted turret, like the T1-Cunningham or LTraktor, try backing into position, so that your lower bow-plate and forward belly is not exposed above the crest-line or crater-lip due to the length of your vehicle...

Similarly, when you're playing peek-a-boom around building corners (with a rear-mounted turret), you may want to "back into action" so that your gun gets into play just a half-second sooner - otherwise with the front of your vehicle leading the move, you would have to expose the entire vehicle before your gun unmasks from the building ...

This is the how to you to position your tank for hull down position. It give
a big advantage to hull downer.

Advantages

1. The first advantage is you provide a smaller target to the enemy. This advantage is something that is more useful than it sounds. Just by hiding your Hull you will reduce your tanks profile for the enemy to shoot at by quite a bit.
2. If you got a strong turret you will bounce a lot more shots meaning that you will be alive much longer in a fight. Although some tanks have weaker turrets that are much easier to pen they will still get the first advantage.
3. This also brings in a psychological factor on some players. a tank that has gone hull down in a great position is a daunting task. It can be quite intimidating to enemies.
4. You hide your tanks weak spots on its hull. If your tank has weak spots on its hull by going hull down the enemy can't really get a shot at it meaning they will have more difficult penetrating your tank if their gun doesn't have that great of a pen and your armor is strong.

Disadvantages

1. It can only really be used to hold a spot, going hull down and staying there is obviously not really good if you plan on attacking. It’s much more effective just to hold a flank from the enemies.
2. Just because enemy tanks can't hit you doesn't mean that their arty can't hit you as well. If your a strong tank and your hull downed but your lit up on the enemies mini map. If arty can hit you expect a few shells to come flying your way.
3. Going hull down is not effective for all tanks. As a light tank (with a few exceptions) in a higher tier match you shouldn't be going hull down as your role isn't really to fight enemy tanks that much.

Tips

1. Hold the right mouse button and look at your tank from the front. Make sure its as hidden as could be and that you could still shoot. Just because you think your hull is hidden doesn't mean it is.
2. Don't rely on this tactic all the time. There is a time and place for going hull down its not useful in every situation but it sure is useful in many!

Peek-boom 

Playing peak-a-boom is when you come out of cover take your shot at the enemy and go back into cover to reload.

Advantages

1. Great for tanks with a long reload but great alpha (meaning the damage of a single round). If you’re driving a tank with a big gun with along reload its always good to have cover to wait behind to wait for your gun to reload. If your facing a tank with a faster firing gun and a good dpm you don't want to have them blasting away as you reload because your pretty much an easy target.
2. Makes you tough to hit. Only time you could be hit in peak-a-boom is when you peek out meaning if you’re taking heavy fire you could make the enemies come to you instead. Great for urban maps as you could do it in tons of places.

Disadvantage

1. If you’re trying to peak out at the enemy they may just track you and then while you’re stuck inflict heavy damage on your tank if their teammates are nearby.
2. Some houses can be destroyed. Make sure your cover won't disappear.
3. You’re much more vulnerable to flanking. If you’re hiding behind a wall enemies might come in from many sides and overwhelm you be careful!

Tips

1. Just like going hull down there is a time and place for peak-a-boom.
2. Careful when you pop out. Chances are when you have done your reload and the enemy is reloading.
3. Keep aware to the mini map you don't want to be outflanked.