War Thunder

War Thunder

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Leinad Feb 5, 2018 @ 1:44pm
APFSDS/APDS VS HEAT-FS
So, I have mostly used APFSDS and APDS shells in rank V and VI and never really bothered with HEAT/HEAT-FS. So I wanted to ask: Is there any advantage HEAT/HEAT-FS posesses over APFSDS/APDS, except the same penetration at all ranges? Because other than that, it has bigger drop, can be stopped by 5mm spaced armor, has bad post pen effects if no fuel/ammo is hit, if not default one shot costs a fortune and (except ATGMs) is borderline useless against composite armor... And all that for a little bit more penetration at every range? For example 380mm APFSDS vs 440mm HEAT-FS... I don't understand...
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Showing 1-9 of 9 comments
Xoho Feb 5, 2018 @ 2:29pm 
APFSDS is a more modern shell I believe. Higher penetration. Not 100% sure though so take it with a grain of salt.
Last edited by Xoho; Feb 5, 2018 @ 2:30pm
Katokevin Feb 5, 2018 @ 3:00pm 
The big advantage is really penetration and chance to do so, especially at range. Other then that, the downsides are quite rough, especially in terms of post pen damage. Personally, I've always been one to pick KE ammo over HEATFS (never wanted to pay 1000+ SL per shot for the post pen damage it does) and APFSDS creates enough spalling to wipe crews clean and great at setting off ammo.

The only time I use HEAT warhead rounds are Tier I German 75mm and ATGM's and both are not very common for me. APFSDS is essentially better in most cases then HEAT(FS) is in my view. Though I would prefer it over APDS in a number of cases.
Leinad Feb 5, 2018 @ 9:41pm 
Ok thanks for the answers. As to Hotfire90s statement with the spaced armor: Spaced and composite armors were, for the most part, made with the intend to stop HEAT and HEAT-FS grenades, so there is that. Just wanted to clarify. And yeah, these armors also work well against HESH because of the spalling innetween the armor plates.

Cheers :Smilesintheclouds:
Rumpelcrutchskin Feb 6, 2018 @ 1:46am 
Only thing that works properly is APFSDS, rest is just trash.
Leinad Feb 6, 2018 @ 2:12am 
That's what I've gathered too... It's a shame, HEAT sounds great on paper, but the post pen is just incredibly bad compared to the other options...
RAM AIR IV Feb 6, 2018 @ 4:41am 
Originally posted by Ingwerdieb:
That's what I've gathered too... It's a shame, HEAT sounds great on paper, but the post pen is just incredibly bad compared to the other options...
It was better before but they needed it since it was "performing too good" aka it was too effective against the IS6
Kay Feb 6, 2018 @ 4:51am 
Depends on the armour, the MBT-70's armour is less effective against HEAT rounds, for example
Leinad Feb 6, 2018 @ 10:54am 
Originally posted by Ki'agh:
Depends on the armour, the MBT-70's armour is less effective against HEAT rounds, for example
Hm, I always thought the Kpz was more durable against HEAT, than KE penetrators... since I cannot pen the turret with a mid tier HEAT, while a APCBC with roughly 180mm can go straight through the turret...
Kay Feb 6, 2018 @ 10:55am 
Originally posted by Ingwerdieb:
Originally posted by Ki'agh:
Depends on the armour, the MBT-70's armour is less effective against HEAT rounds, for example
Hm, I always thought the Kpz was more durable against HEAT, than KE penetrators... since I cannot pen the turret with a mid tier HEAT, while a APCBC with roughly 180mm can go straight through the turret...

depends where you hit on the turret, and the armour doesn't work properly against anything short of APDS/APFSDS
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Date Posted: Feb 5, 2018 @ 1:44pm
Posts: 9