Couple of questions about the FV4202 and British tanks in general

[paauggie]

Hi all

Just wondering if anyone can help me with a couple of quick questions about the FV4202, which I have recently unlocked.

Firstly, I'm finding that the APDS is essentially useless. I understood that what it lost in post-pen damage it would gain in its superior ability to penetrate armour but having done extensive testing on the range and in combat I'm not finding this to be the case at all. I've done a bit of research and while it becomes very difficult to separate fact from opinion it seems that although it's a cold war ammunition Gaijin seem to apply similar mechanics to APCR, i.e, it seems almost wholly ineffective against sloped armour. This certainly seems to be the case from my limited experience so far as much to my suprise it has been bouncing off quite a few targets that should have been easily penetrated by it's 287mm listed penetration. As such it essentially serves no purpose and I should stick with the stock apcbc. I'd appreciate hearing about your experience with this ammo and whether my conclusion is sound or whether I'm just using it incorrectly?

Secondly, much to my disappoinment I'm finding the tank a little underwhelming to say the least. I'm at the stage just prior to tier 5 with all nations except Italy and France. All my other tanks at this level, such as T29, Tiger 2, etc are just point and click death machines, and even if someone survives the first shot they are certainly not going to be playing the violin for a while. I've loved playing British thanks up to this point and am no stranger to their strengths and weaknesses but I'm finding that not only is the tank very fragile it's nowhere near as deadly as other tanks of the same rank. I've never missed explosive filler before but even with careful aiming a lot of shots don't seem to do a great deal and then I'm inevitably OHK'd by the enemy. It is woefully lacking in manouverability and its ability to fire on the move is a dubious advantage in RB as movement of course is the best way to get noticed and as previouly mentioned virtually any hit on this tank is a one-shot ticket back to the hangar.

I'm currently grinding towards the Caernarvon but having second thoughts now wondering if British tanks remain truly viable with lack of HE filler, etc, at this level and that I should concentrate instead on the other nations whose tanks continue to perform excellently.

I'd very much appreciate the thoughs of anyone who has played them to this level and beyond.

Thanks in advance for any replies.

[NAF-5th.Legion-Waffen.Div]

APDS and APCR is ineffective vs sloped armor, the trick to FV4202 is to not use APDS, but to go with its stock AP shell. same for CentMk3.

[Stridswombat]

You're not wrong. APDS right now has terrible post-penetration damage. The whole british tree suffers from being shafted with bad ammunition and this is especially true for all the later tanks that rely heavily on APDS. Go for AP whenever possible but be aware that it will probably just get worse from there as APDS replace AP more.

Until APDS damage is fixed the british tree will continue to be at a disadvantage. APHE needs a nerf imo and APDS needs a buff.