Beginner’s Guide: Contributing to a 100-Hit Chain in a Ranked War
Welcome to your first faction chain! This guide will walk you through everything a new Torn player (under level 20) needs to know to help your faction reach a 100-hit chain during a ranked war. We’ll cover how to prepare beforehand, communicate with your team, time your attacks, and stay calm throughout the process. Each section below breaks down key steps and tips in newbie-friendly terms.
Pre-Chain Preparation: Getting Ready Before the Chain Starts
Before the chain begins, spend some time preparing yourself and your character. Use this checklist to make sure you’re ready:
1) Stack or Fill Your Energy
Try to start the chain with as much energy as possible. If your faction gave you Xanax or energy boosters, use them in advance to “stack” energy above the normal cap. For example, some players train their energy to 0, then take Xanax every few hours to build up a large energy pool (up to 1000E) Do not spend or train away this energy before the chain – save it for attacking.
2) Weapons & Equipment Check
Ensure your weapons are in good condition and you have any ammo needed. Equip the best gear you have. As a low-level player you might only have basic guns or melee weapons – that’s fine, just make sure they’re ready to use. If you have armor or defensive gear, equip it to help survive any counterattacks.
3) Medical Supplies
Stock up on medical items like First Aid Kits or Blood Bags. These will help you heal after fights or even get out of the hospital if things go wrong. You likely can’t revive others yet (reviving requires special items or job abilities), but you should at least have some meds to heal yourself between attacks.
Calling Hits
This phrase is used when approaching a chain bonus (like the 100th hit). Members will “call” a specific hit number in chat, claiming that they will do that attack. For example, people might start saying “I can take 95” or “I’ll do 100.” This helps coordinate so that the important milestone hit (like the 100th hit which gives a big respect bonus) is secured by the right person and not overshot. As a newbie, you might not be the one dropping the 100th hit unless assigned, but pay attention. If you see members calling numbers near 100, avoid jumping in out of order. Wait until your leadership confirms who is doing which hit. No idle chat is allowed during this time – keep the faction chat clear for coordination.
“Calling your hit”
This is a bit different from the above. After you make an attack, it’s good etiquette to announce it in chat. For example, you can say “Hit 37 done” once you successfully attack and increase the chain. This confirms to everyone that the chain count went up and which number we’re at. It helps avoid confusion (like two people hitting at the same time unknowingly). Always announce or “call” your hit number after you attack, especially if the chat is active.
Chat Etiquette
Keep communications short and relevant during the chain. Follow the chain leader’s instructions closely. It’s okay to ask questions if you’re unsure, but do so at an appropriate time (not when everyone’s urgently coordinating a near-drop or a bonus hit). When the chain is close to a bonus (like 100), avoid off-topic or unnecessary messages. Essentially, treat faction chat like a team operations channel during war – be respectful, clear, and responsive.
Timing Your Hits & Avoiding Chain Breaks
Chaining is all about timing. In Torn, once a chain is past 10, a 5-minute timer governs how long you have until the next hit is needed. Here’s how to execute your hits without breaking the chain:
- Watch the Chain Timer: On your Torn interface, you’ll see the chain count and a countdown timer. Every time someone in your faction makes a successful attack, that timer resets to 5:00. If it ever reaches 0:00, the chain breaks (drops) and you enter cooldown, meaning the chain ends and you’d have to start over. Your goal is to never let the timer hit zero. Keep one eye on that clock at all times during the chain.
- Know When to Hit: In a well-coordinated chain, members often let the timer tick down a bit (to around 1:30 or 2:00 remaining) before the next hit, to maximize efficiency. However, as a beginner, you should focus on following your leader’s cues. If the chat or plan says “X will hit at 1:00” or “someone hit now,” be ready. Generally:
- If the timer is above ~3:00 and others are active, you might wait and let higher levels or chain watchers take hits later in the window.
- If the timer is getting low (under 1:30) and nobody has acted, be prepared to jump in and hit to save the chain. There’s even a merit for saving a chain in the last 10 seconds – but don’t try to intentionally wait that long unless instructed. It’s safer to hit with 30+ seconds remaining if you’re unsure whether anyone else is about to.
- Always communicate if you are about to hit. A quick “I’ll hit now” in chat can prevent two people from hitting at the same time.
- Avoid Simultaneous Hits: If two faction members attack at the same exact moment, one of those hits might land after a split-second delay and could reset the timer from a lower value. This can be risky (though Torn usually still counts both hits in the chain, the timer reset happens only once). To prevent this, coordinate in chat – for example, someone might say “I’ll go next” and others should then hold off. This is where “passing” comes into play: if you see someone is about to hit, you can say “ok I’ll pass” so you don’t also hit.
- Don’t Break the Chain: This seems obvious, but the main rule is do not let 5 minutes pass without a successful attack. Even if you have to hit a zero-respect target just to reset the timer, do it. A chain breaking not only loses the momentum but also starts a cooldown period (for a 100 chain, a break triggers a 600-second cooldown where no chain can build). During a ranked war, breaking the chain can give the enemy an opening. So if you notice the chain timer dangerously low and no one else is responding, take initiative and hit immediately. It’s better to contribute a low-respect hit than to let the chain drop.
- During the First 10 Hits: At the very beginning of the chain, hits need to be rapid-fire. The faction must get 10 hits in the first 5 minutes to officially “ignite” the chain. As a new player, just be ready – leadership might assign the first 10 hits to specific members. If you’re asked to be part of the starting hits, attack quickly and don’t wait too long. Once the chain count is 10, the normal 5-minute rule per hit applies.
Prioritize War Targets (if feasible):
In a ranked war, your enemy faction’s members are prime targets – defeating them not only adds to the chain but also hinders their ability to fight back. Check the ranked war interface or the enemy faction’s member list. Look for opponents who are not too far above your stats (e.g., similar level or those you know you can beat). If you see a low-level enemy or one who’s already weakened (low health or just came out of hosp), that could be a good target. Attacking and LEAVING an enemy both boosts your chain and slows their chain.
Use Easy Targets for Filler Hits:
You don’t have to only hit war enemies – any successful attack on any player outside your faction counts for the chain. So have those easy targets (from your pre-chain prep list) ready. Mission targets from Duke are excellent choices because they scale to your level and usually give good respect (often 4-7 respect per hit in chains). If your current mission target is alive and accessible, try them.
Ask for Target Suggestions:
Your faction mates can help. If you don’t know who to attack, pop a quick question in chat: “Anyone have a target for me?” Often, someone might share a name or two of a known easy target. Some factions maintain an internal list of “punching bags” or share targets in chat as they find them. Communication is key – it’s much better to ask for a target than to waste time or hit someone too strong.
Avoid Targets You Can’t Beat:
This is critical. Only successful attacks count for the chain – if you lose a fight or run away, it does nothing (and you’ll be stuck in the hospital which could jeopardize the chain). Pick targets you are confident about. If in doubt, choose someone easier. As the saying goes, “pick targets you can beat” so you don’t end up hospitalized and leave the chain hanging. For example, attacking someone with way higher stats might get you hospitalized for hours, which is disastrous during a chain. It’s perfectly fine to go after “weaker” opponents – every hit counts the same for the chain counter.
When You Run Out of Targets:
If you truly can’t find anyone (maybe all your easy targets are in the hospital or you already hit them recently), communicate that. Say something like, “I’m low on targets, someone else may need to hit.” This alerts the team that you might not be able to cover a hit if needed. If a specific turn was assigned to you and you have no target, use “pass” (as explained above) to let someone else take over that hit. Meanwhile, keep looking — perhaps try the in-game Attack -> Search function to find players of a certain level range, or attack any target of opportunity (even a very low level player for 1 respect is better than nothing if it saves the chain.
Bonus hits:
Bonus hits are great for earning that extra respect for your faction. These hits are hits #10, 25, 50, and 100. These are the big ones that you must watch for. Your chain leader will give instructions on who should take these hits so make sure to pay attention.
Another thing to keep in mind is that if you have a warlord weapon (you may or may not have one of these yet) they will give extra respect for every hit you make EXCEPT for bonus chain hits. so keep this in mind.
It is usually best to hit someone who is a much lower level for the bonus hits because if you do a non bonus hit on them then they wont give barely any respect if you are a much higher level then them.
Bottom line:
Never stay idle if you’re unsure. Either find a softer target, or tell your faction you can’t find one so someone else can step in. Chaining is a team activity – your teammates would rather hear “I need help with a target” than have you go silent.
After Your Hit: What to Do Immediately Following an Attack
Congrats, you made a successful hit! Here are your responsibilities after attacking:
- Announce Your Hit: As mentioned in communication, quickly type in faction chat that you hit. For example: “Hit #72 done” or simply the new chain count. This confirms the chain count for everyone. It also lets the chain leader know if the plan (like hitting up to a hold or bonus) is on track. It only takes a second to do, and it keeps everyone synchronized.
- Confirm the Chain Continued: Double-check the chain counter increased by 1 and the timer reset to 5:00. It’s rare, but if you lag or someone hit at the same time, ensure that your hit did register. If the chain count didn’t go up, alert the faction immediately so someone else can hit. Assuming it did, you have a few minutes now before you need to worry about hitting again (unless you have plenty of energy and are told to keep going).
Heal Up:
Check your health bar after the fight. If you lost a lot of health in the battle, use a medical item (like a First Aid Kit) on yourself to heal. This is important in case you get attacked by an enemy or need to fight again soon. Fighting at low health is risky. Also cure any serious injuries if you have a Blood Bag or appropriate item – injuries can lower your stats and make your next fight harder.
Address Hospitalization Quickly:
If you got hospitalized during your attack (for example, maybe you won but the enemy’s last hit put you in hospital too, or you lost the fight), you need to act fast. Announce in chat “I’m hosp’d (X minutes)” so the team knows you’re out of action. If the hospital time is short (a few minutes), maybe someone else can cover hits until you naturally get out. If it’s long (say 30 minutes or more), request a revive or use one if you have it. Don’t hesitate to spend some money on a revive if needed – keeping the chain going is worth it. Your faction may even reimburse you for the cost of a revive because a single hit can be worth more respect than the cost of a medical item.
Assist Teammates:
After your attack, see if anyone else needs help:
- Is a faction mate asking for a target? If you have one to suggest (maybe an easy target you just used), share the name.
- Is someone else hospitalized? If you have spare medical items or the ability to revive (unlikely as a new player, but if you do), use them to help. Even without items, you could coordinate: for instance, if you and another member can coordinate hitting the same tough target (you soften them and the other finishes, or vice versa) in two separate hits, that could help both of you get hits in. Teamwork!
- Keep an eye on chat for messages like “I might need help” or “anyone free to hit now?” and be ready to jump in or respond.
Prepare for Your Next Hit:
If the war chain is still ongoing and you still have energy left, get ready to attack again. Maybe you’ll wait a bit (as per the timer strategy), but start thinking of who your next target will be. Chaining can involve making multiple hits spaced out over time. If you have plenty of energy (say you stacked a lot or refilled), you might hit several times in the 100 chain. Refill your ammo if needed, re-evaluate your target list (targets you defeated might be healing or back, etc.), and stay alert.
Remember to stay in sync with the faction’s game plan. Sometimes after a big milestone (like hit #100), the faction might pause or decide on next steps (whether to continue the chain or stop at 100). Typically for a ranked war, you’ll likely stop at 100 if that was the goal or go further if needed for war points. Don’t wander off immediately after hit 100 – wait for leadership to declare the chain over or the war won, etc. After the chain, congratulations are usually in order. Make sure to congratulate your team and maybe debrief on any lessons. If it’s truly the end of the war chain, you can relax and go back to normal activities (train, etc.) once leadership confirms it’s okay.
Tips for Staying Calm and Making It Through Your First Chain
Chaining in a war can be intense, especially the first time. Here are some tips to keep your cool and be effective:
Stay Logged In and Available
During the chain, try to stay online and focused. If you’re on PC, keep the Torn tab open and visible. If on mobile, don’t let your phone lock or the app close. You want to see updates in real time. Consider disabling sleep mode or setting your device to stay awake. Being continuously present helps you react quickly when needed.
Manage Real-Life Needs
Before the chain starts, take care of anything pressing – grab water, use the restroom, etc. This way you won’t be distracted or forced AFK at a critical moment. A 100-hit chain might last anywhere from a few minutes (if many people are hitting back-to-back) to an hour or more if it’s drawn out. Be prepared to be at your screen for the duration.
Breathe and Don’t Panic
It’s normal to feel nervous. Your adrenaline might spike when the chain is at risk or when you’re about to make your hit. Take a deep breath. Remember that everyone was a first-timer once, and your faction mates are on your side. Even if something goes wrong (e.g., you accidentally break the chain or lose a fight), the team will understand – just learn from it. Focus on the task at hand: one attack at a time, one instruction at a time.
Use the 5-Minute Windows to Regroup
After each hit, you typically have a few minutes before the next one is needed (thanks to the 5:00 chain timer). Use that time to calm your nerves. For example, if you just hit and the timer reset, take the next minute to stretch your fingers, quickly check your target list for the next target, or just take a couple of deep breaths. Small breaks in those intervals can keep you from getting too tense.
Stay Positive and Supportive
Keep the team spirit up. Simple things like saying “good job” or reacting with an in-game emote when someone saves the chain can boost morale. If you feel overwhelmed, seeing your teammates working together should reassure you – you’re not alone in this. Conversely, if a teammate makes a mistake, stay positive and adaptive (for example, if someone broke the chain at 50, focus on starting a new chain if needed rather than dwelling on blame).
Ask Questions (at the right time)
If something is unclear – maybe you don’t understand an order or you’re unsure about a game mechanic – you can ask your faction mates. Just choose your timing wisely (not in the last seconds of the timer!). Perhaps ask during a lull or before the chain starts. Many experienced players are happy to explain things to newer members outside of the critical moments. By the time the chain is in full swing, you want to be executing, not learning rules – so prep questions beforehand if possible.
Plan for the Unexpected
War can be unpredictable. An enemy might chain on your faction at the same time, or several members might go offline unexpectedly. If suddenly you find only a couple of you are holding the chain, don’t get flustered. Use what you’ve prepared: your energy, your targets, and the communication you’ve practiced. Even if it’s just you and one more person trading hits, you can still reach 100 if you stay focused. In an emergency, remember the core rule: keep hitting so the timer doesn’t expire.
Celebrate the Success
Finally, when your faction hits that 100th attack, congratulations! You’ve just contributed to a 100-hit chain, earning an 80 respect bonus for your faction at hit #100. That’s a great achievement in a ranked war. Take a moment to appreciate it and thank your teammates. These war experiences are some of the most exciting parts of Torn.
I am still kinda new to this in a way. There are people way more experienced than I am. And if I got anything wrong here then please let me know so that I can correct it. Thanks.
Also note chatgpt helped with the layout of the post.
