Shell Types

Jazzy · 12-05-15, 12:39 PM

Hello
If I understand correctly, HE shells are used for the weapons, command deck and putting holes in the hull of a ship, and AP is used for shooting under the waterline of the hull.
AA shells I've never had any luck with.

However what I have noticed with HE shells is that the shells do a lot more damage than AP shells, when I shoot for example at below the waterline, the AP shells: 1. Hardly ever cause visible damage, although I believe that this is purely eye candy and 2. It takes about 10 more shells than HE to cause the ship to list.
Am I missing a trick here at all for AP shell usage?
Thanks

Rockin Robbins · 12-05-15, 01:21 PM

AP is for armor piercing. They make a hole in tough materials. But they don't explode when they make the hole. Against cruisers and above they're useful. But not on a submarine. You'll never get the opportunity to shoot an AP shell where it belongs because those cruisers and BBs can shoot at you for a half hour before you can even get into range. One hit from them and you're dead. You will have to shoot for an hour and hit over a hundred times before they have appreciable damage.

That leaves the HE shells. HE stands for high explosive. These guys can't penetrate a couple inches of steel but they explode, making a shambles of interiors, human bodies and ripping up the thin skinned DD's and merchies. In practice this is probably the only shell you should use, and then only against unarmed opponents. The one hit you're dead, dozens of hits to sink them still applies.

I"m not sure where the idea the AP shells are most useful for below the waterline shots came from. There is one really misleading "expert" guide out there that says that but I haven't read it anywhere else. For merchies and DDs, the HE shell does even that much better.

TorpX · 12-06-15, 05:43 AM

RR is dead on target with his advice.

Furthermore, the way shells, armor, and interior zones are modeled in the game, makes their usefulness (even if such were the case) doubtful. Shells in the game always explode with first contact of a target. They will never actually penetrate to the interior. It is just the way the mechanics of the game work. If they were properly modeled, large shells could penetrate into deeply located compartments, or even through, and outside, thin-skinned ships, but it just doesn't happen in the game.

scubamatt · 12-06-15, 11:33 PM

I have yet to find anything *except* HE shells for my Deck Gun. I'm running TMO, though, so maybe thats why.

TorpX · 12-07-15, 05:20 AM

You can mod the game files to put them in, but imo, that would be going to a lot of trouble for nothing.

12-05-15, 12:39 PM	#1
Jazzy Watch Join Date: Sep 2015 Posts: 30 Downloads: 16 Uploads: 0	Shell Types Hello If I understand correctly, HE shells are used for the weapons, command deck and putting holes in the hull of a ship, and AP is used for shooting under the waterline of the hull. AA shells I've never had any luck with. However what I have noticed with HE shells is that the shells do a lot more damage than AP shells, when I shoot for example at below the waterline, the AP shells: 1. Hardly ever cause visible damage, although I believe that this is purely eye candy and 2. It takes about 10 more shells than HE to cause the ship to list. Am I missing a trick here at all for AP shell usage? Thanks

12-05-15, 01:21 PM	#2
Rockin Robbins Navy Seal Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: DeLand, FL Posts: 8,900 Downloads: 135 Uploads: 52	AP is for armor piercing. They make a hole in tough materials. But they don't explode when they make the hole. Against cruisers and above they're useful. But not on a submarine. You'll never get the opportunity to shoot an AP shell where it belongs because those cruisers and BBs can shoot at you for a half hour before you can even get into range. One hit from them and you're dead. You will have to shoot for an hour and hit over a hundred times before they have appreciable damage. That leaves the HE shells. HE stands for high explosive. These guys can't penetrate a couple inches of steel but they explode, making a shambles of interiors, human bodies and ripping up the thin skinned DD's and merchies. In practice this is probably the only shell you should use, and then only against unarmed opponents. The one hit you're dead, dozens of hits to sink them still applies. I"m not sure where the idea the AP shells are most useful for below the waterline shots came from. There is one really misleading "expert" guide out there that says that but I haven't read it anywhere else. For merchies and DDs, the HE shell does even that much better. __________________ Sub Skipper's Bag of Tricks, Slightly Subnuclear Mk 14 & Cutie, Slightly Subnuclear Deck Gun, EZPlot 2.0, TMOPlot, TMOKeys, SH4CMS

12-06-15, 05:43 AM	#3
TorpX Silent Hunter Join Date: Sep 2010 Posts: 3,975 Downloads: 153 Uploads: 11	RR is dead on target with his advice. Furthermore, the way shells, armor, and interior zones are modeled in the game, makes their usefulness (even if such were the case) doubtful. Shells in the game always explode with first contact of a target. They will never actually penetrate to the interior. It is just the way the mechanics of the game work. If they were properly modeled, large shells could penetrate into deeply located compartments, or even through, and outside, thin-skinned ships, but it just doesn't happen in the game.

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12-06-15, 11:33 PM	#4
scubamatt Mate Join Date: May 2008 Location: Lithonia, GA Posts: 51 Downloads: 21 Uploads: 0	I have yet to find anything except HE shells for my Deck Gun. I'm running TMO, though, so maybe thats why.

12-07-15, 05:20 AM	#5
TorpX Silent Hunter Join Date: Sep 2010 Posts: 3,975 Downloads: 153 Uploads: 11	You can mod the game files to put them in, but imo, that would be going to a lot of trouble for nothing.