What is side scraping?
Side scraping is a technique that is used to allow you to shoot your enemy while taking minimal to no damage in return. When you side scrape, you expose your side at an extreme angle; usually almost vertical to your enemy, while positioning yourself so that you can shoot your enemy.
What does side scraping look like?
How do I successfully side scrape?
To successfully side scrape, you will need a building or an obstacle beside you and your enemy in front of you. What you can do as a beginner is drive up to the edge of the building or obstacle then reverse away from it at a slight angle. This may take a few tries but you will get it eventually. What you want is your hull (front of your tank) facing the obstacle so that the enemy cant take shots at it. If you do this correctly, your side should automatically be angled correctly.
Pay close attention to the edge of the building and where my tracks are relevant to it in the example above. my outer track is basically in like with the edge of that building. This should help you with the angling of your tank.
What tanks are good at side scraping?
Many tanks are not good at side scraping. For example, my M103. Side scraping with the M103 still works but it isn't as effective. Tanks that are basically made to side scrape are the german heavies. The Tiger 1, Tiger 2, E-75, E-100 are all great at side scraping. The sides of these tanks naturally suit side scraping.
Ending notes
It is always better to side scrape than to poke out from behind a building hull first. If you get penetrated when side scraping, try re-angling your tank which could help. Also, don't force yourself to have your turret facing the enemy. Sometimes its better to wait for them to come into your gun view. This is because sometimes the enemy is in a position where you cannot shoot them when your side scraping well. Forcing yourself to be able to shoot at your enemy may expose your hull or you may angle your side wrong and instead of side scraping your exposing the side of your tank.