HEAT Shells

The Academy - Players helping Players F.A.Q and Tutorials
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So, I am still learning to use my HEAT/HE Shells and I am very curious on how to get better at them. Like what does “soft targets” mean?

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Lightly armoured/open-top targets. Usually light tanks, SPAA, and IFVs.

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As an aside, I found you’re better off almost always ranging your sight for at least 100m minimum. Early HEAT-FS has a very big shell drop that you don’t think to compensate for since with AP/APHE/APDS you could just point and click the enemy at those ranges (100-200 meters) with barely any shell drop. HEAT and HEAT-FS willl fall short of your target if you aim it like kinetic penetrators. Setting it to 100m will help with split second shots at close ranges a lot.

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It depends how much explosive your HE has and what BR you’re playing. Anything that can be easily over pressured is a “soft target”

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Any vehicle with less armor than your HE shell’s penetration can be considered a soft target, including open-topped tanks like the M36 and M10, despite their seemingly thick armor due to the exposed crew.

Aim for the enemy’s sights with your HE shells to increase the chance of overpressure, but be aware that HE shells with less than 4kg of TNT equivalent may not be effective.

For HEAT shells, simply ensure that you have sufficient penetration and a suitable angle of attack. An angle of less than 60 degrees is generally sufficient if you have enough penetration. In other words, aim for any part of the enemy’s armor that is as vertical as possible.

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I use HEAT a lot…rarely use HE.
Soft targets that can be killed by HE are rare…and if you get an armored enemy with HE in the barrel you cant damage it. THERE ARE moments where HE will/would help…but i lost more from having them at the wrong moment…

Side note…HEAT shells will detonate on trees and bushes…so you need a clear line of sight to target.

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What about with HEATFS Shells? I kinda struggle with them and I want to get better at using them.

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I dont have many HEATFS equipped vehicles…

AFAIK (not sure) they are the same as HEAT…just more accurate and so can go longer ranges…i see them as a modern version of HEAT.
Same overall use…pen is good and does not change with range…but cant be shot trough obstacles.

Any mistake above…please correct me.

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Alright, thanks for the advice i appreciate it!

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BTW…HEAT will behave as (lighter) HE versus soft targets…usually can kill with first shot. It is actually a good round to have in the barrel…as it can be used versus heavy and light…just be aware:

  • Cant shoot trough bushes , trees or walls
  • Some HEAT or HEATFS have lower penetrations for their BR…check the specifics…compare the pen of HEAT and the APDS (or similar round)
  • HEAT and HEATFS will have good kill probability IF they penetrate
  • Later in game there is armour designed to defeat HEAT shells…so they lose some effectiveness. Not sure how big issue as i dont play top tier (yet)

If you are having issues…perhaps you can say which tank…

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