A very high proportion of tanks in the game have different choices on the ammunition they can use. It is important for a player to understand the types of ammunition available to them, and how to use that type of ammunition effectively.
A penetrating round may cause any of the following damage:
- Hit point or health damage i.e. reduce the enemy tank's health
- Tank module or 'Critical Hit' damage e.g. tank tracks, fuel tank, ammo rack, etc.
- Crew damage or 'Critical Hit' damage i.e. knock out the commander, gunner, etc.
- Combination of the above
Armor Piercing (AP)
 |
Armor Piercing or AP ammunition is by far the most common type of tank ammo available in the game especially for medium tanks, heavy tanks, tank destroyers, and light tanks beyond tier 4. As per the name of ammo an armor piercing round is designed to pierce the armor of tanks. Damage is scored only when the round penetrates the armor of the enemy tank. A non-penetrating round, bounce, or ricochet will score zero damage however will contribute towards a Sniper Medal. The round is best used in nearly all anti-tank and anti-artillery situations except when facing enemy tanks head-on that have very thick or well angled armor.
- Damage Power: Good
- Penetration Power: Good
- Damage Scored: Only when the round penetrates
- Range Effect: Loses moderate penetrating power over range
- Armor Angle Effect: Good penetration power against angled armor
- Premium Cost: No
|
Armor Piercing Composite Rigid (APCR)
 |
Armor Piercing Composite Rigid or APCR ammunition is premium ammunition available to most classes of tanks. The round has a unique point combined with a reduced weight (and hence higher muzzle velocity) to significantly improve the penetration power. Damage is scored only when the round penetrates the armor of the enemy tank. A non-penetrating round, bounce, or ricochet will score zero damage however will contribute towards a Sniper Medal. The round is best used in any situation where extra penetration power is required e.g. facing an enemy tank with thick or well angled armor. As this ammo type is premium it should really only be used by players when normal AP rounds are bouncing especially against higher tiers. Alternatively the round is also effective when the player needs to increase their chances of a hit and kill to secure the win for the game or when facing greater odds or numbers of enemy tanks. Some players choose to use this ammo type as causing more damage through improved penetration leads to more experience earnt which offsets the premium cost.
- Damage Power: Good
- Penetration Power: Excellent
- Damage Scored: Only when the round penetrates
- Range Effect: Loses significant penetration power over longer ranges
- Armor Angle Effect: Very good penetration power against angled armor
- Premium Cost: Yes, players can pay in Gold or 4 - 5 times the Silver price of standard AP ammunition
|
High Explosive (HE)
 |
High Explosive or HE ammunition is generally available to most tank classes. The round has an explosive charge in the tip that detonates upon impact. It is the preferred ammunition type for artillery and unlike armor piercing rounds a HE round can cause splash damage. Its penetration power is very poor but if the round does penetrate it can cause far great damage than an armor piercing round. High explosive shells can also explode upon impacting spaced armor. For non-artillery classes it is best used against soft targets like artillery or light tanks. Alternatively it is a good round to use against very heavily armored units where armor piercing rounds are failing. Although the damage caused against heavily armored enemies is far less it will still cause damage and generate experience for the player. Another good use of HE ammunition is anti-capture of flags/bases, as the round is less likely to bounce and instead explode causing damage and hence resetting the flag capture timer.
- Damage Power: Excellent for artillery, or other classes if the round penetrates otherwise the damage is poor. Can cause splash damage and impact multiple targets
- Penetration Power: Poor
- Damage Scored: When the round penetrates or when the round explodes on armor impact
- Range Effect: Loses very little penetrating power over range
- Armor Angle Effect: Poor penetration power against angled armor however will still explode on non-ricochet causing damage
- Premium Cost: No
|
Premium High Explosive (HE)
 |
Premium High Explosive works in the exact same manner as normal high explosive rounds except that the explosive charge is larger causing more splash damage
- Damage Power: Excellent for artillery, or other classes if the round penetrates otherwise the damage is poor. Can cause splash damage and impact multiple targets
- Penetration Power: Poor
- Damage Scored: When the round penetrates or when the round explodes on armor impact
- Range Effect: Loses very little penetrating power over range
- Armor Angle Effect: Poor penetration power against angled armor however will still explode on non-ricochet causing damage
- Premium Cost: Yes, players can pay in Gold or 4 - 5 times the Silver price of standard HE ammunition
|
High Explosive Anti-Tank (HEAT)
 |
High Explosive Anti-Tank or HEAT ammunition is premium ammunition available to most classes of tanks however in lower numbers of vehicles. The round has an shaped explosive warhead that punches a hole in the armor by burning and melting the metal. A non-penetrating round, bounce, or ricochet will score zero damage however will contribute towards a Sniper Medal. The round is best used in any situation where extra penetration power is required e.g. facing an enemy tank with thick armor however note that unlike APCR ammo, HEAT ammo does not perform well against angled armor and can explode against spaced armor. In a number of cases the penetration power of a HEAT round can exceed that of APCR ammunition. Alternatively the round is also effective when the player needs to increase their chances of a hit and kill to secure the win for the game or when facing greater odds or numbers of enemy tanks. Some players choose to use this ammo type as causing more damage through improved penetration leads to more experience earnt which offsets the premium cost.
- Damage Power: Good
- Penetration Power: Very good
- Damage Scored: Only when the round penetrates
- Range Effect: Loses very little penetrating power over range
- Armor Angle Effect: Poor penetration power against angled armor
- Premium Cost: Yes, players can pay in Gold or 4 - 5 times the Silver price of standard AP ammunition. Some tanks have HEAT as non-premium standard ammunition
|
High Explosive Squash Head (HESH)
 |
High Explosive Squash Head or HESH is a unique type of ammunition that has a soft explosive warhead. When the round impacts the armor of a tank the soft warhead is "squashed" against the armor and then explodes. The explosion creates a shock wave that travels through the tank causing the metal to spall and fragment on the inside. This is dangerous to the crew and equipment. In the game however a HESH round works more like a high explosive round but with much greater penetration power. Very few tanks have this type of ammunition available however if the player happens to have it available then it is a great median between AP and HE ammunition
- Damage Power: Very Good
- Penetration Power: Good
- Damage Scored: When the round penetrates or when the round explodes against tank armor
- Range Effect: Loses very little penetrating power over range
- Armor Angle Effect: Good penetration/detonation power against angled armor
- Premium Cost: Yes, players can pay in Gold or 4 - 5 times the Silver price of standard AP ammunition. Some tanks have HESH as non-premium standard ammunition
|
|
