Moose

Ok, so after 8 months, i've finally decided to write up what the true meaning of the turtle is. I've always been in disagreement to what Monkus has said about what the turtle is, and although he says "Rules of Turtle Games", the final definition is nowhere near what the Turtle stands for, it's meaning, and it's usage in TAO.


True Definiton: A Turtle Formation is a form comprising of units enclosed in a sided area of the gameboard. There are many variations of how the form is used and different varieties on how it can be comprised of units. There is no restriction or rule that says that if you put units in the corner of you're area that might be considered "unfair", makes you a "Non-Turtler".


How did the Turtle form get it's name?

The Turtle formation was basically an arrangement at the side of a players board to the bottom of units placed in a defensive position to protect from players attacks.


Here is how a turtle is broken down:

Oldest School Turtle: Otherwise known today as a "Grey form"(Ver 1.0)

http://img48.imageshack.us/img48/10...stturtle3av.jpg
Commonly used from: Oct 30, 2003 - Nov 14, 2003

This form, was the basic form of the Turtle, it was also the foundation that laid the path to the future versions of the Turtle. The units were comprised of Grey units, and could be arranged in a wide variety, this meaning that units could substituted for others in order to make the form more adjusted for the User. However with the introduction of Gold accounts, the form was less used and considered today a grey form, most greys use this as a "basic grey form" at present.

Older School Turtle: http://img159.imageshack.us/img159/...erturtle1ua.jpg
Commonly used from: Nov 15, 2003 - Dec 28, 2003

Today this would be considered somewhat a same sided Rush, however because of the early date of TAO, some extra features as well as units that haven't been created yet, would still be considered a Turtle. As most people know, at that time most players were just Single Upgraded on Legends, and until later when the Stone Golem became more common, this form was commonly used with other units, along with Drops such as witches, clerics and b-wards.

Old and Newer(With Varitions) Old School Turtle:

Old: http://img358.imageshack.us/img358/...ldturtle5br.jpg
Commonly used from: Dec 29, 2003 - Feb 5, 2004

This form was at the peak of Single Golds becoming upgraded. It was soon discovered that Knights powered up made very strong attackers, along side of the dragon. These units could take a beating from any of the oppenents pieces and be able to succusfully enter there area without any problems, the scouts provided back up to any frosts that would freeze the units, but at that time, there wasn't much to be done against argueably the strongest unit in TAO.

Newer Old 1: http://img358.imageshack.us/img358/...ldturtle0mg.jpg
Newer Old 2: http://img235.imageshack.us/img235/...dturtle23hq.jpg
Newer Old 3: http://img264.imageshack.us/img264/...dturtle36zz.jpg
Commonly used from Feb 6, 2004 - Nov 23, 2004

These are just a few samples of some variations of "newer" Old School Turtles, although there are many more varities that could be made, these are just the simple forms that players who considered Turtling an "art" of TAO. Of course during the course of it's common usage, people were required to make adaptations to the first rushes. Most of the time rushes would be either a burn style, or droped style (meaning Droped Beast Riders, Scouts, 3 Knights, Dragon, 1 Mud Golem). Although it seemed impossible to win, often rushes were over-rated with an experienced Turtler and the use of the Furgon (which is now a common unit within Defensive Turtles). With the incorperation of the Mud Quake, it made the old school turtles Knight advantage gone, especially with the Furgon making it very difficult for units to attack the opposition.


Newest Turtle Formations:

Commonly used from Nov 24, 2004 - (Present Day)

New example 1: http://img364.imageshack.us/img364/933/newturtle6td.jpg
New example 2: http://img364.imageshack.us/img364/...wturtle22lp.jpg
New example 3: http://img364.imageshack.us/img364/...wturtle32hx.jpg

These new style forms fit into the some what newer units such as the Ambusher and Wisp (although soon new units will be on the way). Forms such as these are seen today as the "mainstay" of Turtles. Now as for the validity of the 2nd example. The Ambusher is an allowed unit in the Turtle formation. However, since the adding of the Golem Ambusher, it has been stated that it takes the fun out of Turtling. This is both true and false, it's a fact that a Turtle depends greatly on it's cleric/cleric's (but it is still possible to win without the aid during the whole game), and the Ambusher makes it very easy to take them out during the beginning of the game. But, don't forget that even the cleric can be stoned at the beginning, and focusing on the ambusher in the beginning could eaisly get rid of it's advantage on you. Though it might require a more defensive strategy, just remember that a L-ward is a key to protection, and even the oppenent using the Ambusher must plan out his attacks. Back on topic, these forms are now commonly used on FPS, with the exception of example no.2, it's often used on Legends due to the 1 scout restriction.



A basic understanding of the Turtle is that it can except a wide variety of input to the forms. Often Turtles are better at beating rushes then you think (unless of course the person is using a ambusher, mud, wisp and duel scouts at the front of his form, in this case you have a 12-15% chance of victory).

Still, incorperating new idea's to the Turtle, can often have a wide variety of results. Most of the time, to you're own benefit.


People seem to think that a Stone Golem, is what makes a Turtle a Turtle.

This is not the case at all.

Retro-Old Turtle Example: http://img325.imageshack.us/img325/...roturtle9gb.jpg

Now I do agree that in a way this is an Anti-Rush/Same Sided Rush, However it stays within the boundries of being a Turtle see as the Scouts, Mud and Wisp do not appear at the front waiting to attack the Cleric.

Something like this however:

Same Side Rush/Anti-Rush/Turtle Form: http://img325.imageshack.us/img325/...siderush0it.jpg

Is defently not a Turtle. It's funny how people have claimed it to be one (i.e: Franxx/Nemesis25). But it does not fit into a Turtle area, and is obviously a "Cleric Killer" form.


As always, here is an example of a Rush, now commonly used by TAO Rushers.

Rush: http://img363.imageshack.us/img363/9128/rush3lg.jpg

(Both Anti-Rushes and Rushes Commonly used May 6 2004 - (Present Day)

This cannot in any way be mistaken as a Turtle, it is clearly a Rush, so treat it as one .


Anyways, the Turtle will always be open to new forms, although some find it cheap that units should be allowed (The Ambusher for one), let me remind you of somthing, you can always ask for restricted games, as I said before there are no rules or restrictions to the turtle, but custom games can be included as loop-holes in the Turtling System of Gameplay. Yes that sounds like a contradiction, but it's quite simple, The Turtle will allow any unit and changes to it's style, and it will also allow rules to be made to uphold fairness to Turtlers who don't feel like playing a huge competetive game.


That people of FPS, is what the Turtles of TAO have stood for. They will always be a part of TAO's history, and they were the 1st offical form to be certified as standerd for players.



Moosey

__________________



-Thanks to Flaw for the Banner-

XCI

I don't see why this is a sticky... and none of your pictures are working.

__________________

Gypsy

Some of the pics were working for me..and I also question why this is a sticky.

sixers

So you can't have a center turtle? Cuase I have deff played what I would call a center turtle

__________________
help me kill my time

Moose

Because this is a generational retrospect of how the Turtle has evolved.


Besides that, it's a helpful guide to show how turtles can be used.



Moosey


P.S: All the image links are working fine, your computer is obviously not doing something right.

__________________



-Thanks to Flaw for the Banner-

XCI

Most of them just link to the imageshack page. Gypsy is having the same problem. Some of them don't work at all.

__________________

Gypsy

I will tell you when I am having problems!!!
As for turtle...fuck turtles...however grey turtles work well vs gold rushes.

XCI

you said only some of the pictures work -.-"

I'll edit this post to include my rush-masher in a couple of minutes, stay tuned.

Aasum's Counter-Rush

EDIT: Move the furgon beside the cleric to stop the wisp's tirade.

__________________

Gypsy

That form would not stop my crusade :P

sixers

whats the muddie doing there? i thought this was a counter... that thing would die quicker ... - can't think of witty thing to say - .... yeah it would die quick though

__________________
help me kill my time