How to Play as the Tank in Left 4 Dead

Get to the attack quickly. Because the Tank is a rare spawn, you must use it quickly before the computer takes control of it for you. Once the Tank spawns, you will have a limited time to engage the survivors before the computer takes control.

Try and hit the group in your first attack. A large, sweeping blow can knock several survivors down and send them sprawling, unable to retaliate for a few seconds. This can buy you a few seconds to select a single target and focus on it.

Single out one survivor and concentrate on them. Because the Tank does not have unlimited health (just an awful lot of it,) your best bet for success is to target one survivor and pound them into the ground. Ideally, this should be your fellow player, as killing them will significantly reduce their score.

Send them flying. Several levels have high points (rooftops, tops of skyscrapers, etc.) where the Tank can attack. Hitting a survivor off of the structure will either deal major damage or will kill them outright. Try and send as many survivors flying as possible.

Attack from the rear if you can. While you can't always choose the angle from which you attack and your time is limited, try and hit the survivors from any direction other than the way they are headed. This will buy you a few seconds to hit them before they can shoot back. Any time you can buy yourself when you are not being shot will go a long way towards defeating the survivors.

Use your throw attack if you are at a distance. Not many stages allow for this, but if you have a good deal of distance between you and the survivors, throw a chunk of cement their way. This lets you attack and puts them on the defensive for a few seconds, allowing you time to close into melee range relatively unharmed.