TANK SHELLS GUIDE / War Thunder

There are tons and tons of different shells in our games - starting with simple metal slugs... and going all the way up to state-of-the-art ATGMs. If you’re just starting out, such a huge arsenal might seem a bit intimidating. Don’t give up yet! We’re here to tell you all the basics you need to know.
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[@jacobburchill4059]

After years , Gajiin just decided now to make this video.....

[@pussdesutroyer9481]

They just figured it out now

[@cosmin_budda]

:))))

[@gabrielnilssan7234]

They made it clear for themseves )

[@thorgranil5405]

or just decide to use google and know this years before the video xD

[@thesucker555wt7]

if you know how to play this videos are totaly usseless and unnecessary,you are clearly a new guy,go and learn!

[@microchook]

"Think about BR and equip shells accordingly, then forget about it, as you just been up-tiered"

[@carsonnelson8195]

I just played with my average 3.7 br tanks and I was up against a cobra king. I don’t know how that’s fair bro

[@ZaidK.]

True story

[@Echo06]

I played 4.3 and faced tanks from 5.7

[@michaelmoore3991]

I'm just chilling with a bt7 and see an m18 stroll by and kill everyone

[@midnighteclipsed2738]

@@Echo06 wait that's impossible, it's should be 5.3 at max

[@basilbackman2829]

0:38 "Your ammunition will be stored only in the safest places inside your tank." What about King tigers?

[@jakubkaminski2069]

Well after 1.83 all tanks have their ammo in stupid places.

[@Damian-03x3]

If you get penetrated in the turret you're screwed anyway in most cases. Lack of ammo in the hull saved me many times from getting one shooted from some sneaky or flanky enemies.

[@me262omlett]

I hate it too but it is because the reload time would be longer if the Loader would have to climb down in the hull instead of staying in the turrent.

[@polaskatyu9368]

It’s called historical accuracy, liking it or not.

[@bookw3rm6]

Polaska Tyu actually no, it’s not. Multiple KZbinrs have even pointed this out to gaijin. Tiger 2 crews were instructed to remove the ammo from the turret before entering combat, the only time ammunition was stored in the turret was during transport.

[@13gOKaN12]

2:29 or a blade of grass

[@rn-zu5ld]

Or the air

[@rn-zu5ld]

Or a bit of rain on rainy maps

[@bikelifewill6483]

Hahah

[@alexanderjonsson5749]

An atom

[@sinnombre__]

Or the cannon itself

[@HowToPlay1337]

How about SEA SHELLS?

[@davidegazzaniga7558]

HowToPlay1337 oh hey, Hi ! I watched your videos !!

[@egrikomrade]

Your video sir was far more detailed, animated and fun than those who made the game 😂😂

[@redundantstuff100]

HowToPlay1337 or STALINIUM-CAPPED-SUPER-BIAS-FINSTABILIZED-DOOM-HIGH-VELOCITY-SHOT. SCSBFDHVS

[@alwayscurious3357]

Badum tss

[@phylarious4352]

Ah yes the one and only i learned from

[@redundantstuff100]

U missed the t34-85’s main shot STALINIUM-CAPPED-SUPER-BIAS-FINSTABILIZED-DOOM-HIGH-VELOCITY-SHOT. SCSBFDHVS

[@trainboi014]

LMAFAO

[@user-gr7iy7vh6f]

Shhhhhhh... That is little secret just between the Russian tankers and a few of their victims...

[@lukashuening]

Yes, they are decent🤣

[@comrademoshi1028]

SCSBFDHVS is the sound i make when i lose to russian bias

[@zora007]

6:26 why the driver still move his head xD

[@repicmi]

He is like: Oh, we are dead

[@rn-zu5ld]

Too much vodka

[@AndrewVasirov]

Delayed reaction to the explosion. :D

[@driftwood8136]

because stalin wills it to move

[@driftwood8136]

even though its a german tank

[@leinad3305]

"With less ammunition your ammo will only be stored in the safest places" *Looks at Tiger II turret ready rack* yeah right...

[@no2742]

Safer than the hull

[@funynonsence]

@@no2742 no

[@noahsawesomevids422]

@@no2742 hull safer than turret .. everytime I face a tiger 2 I hit the ammo even shooting through front

[@TheSuperZOS]

The amount of german and specifically Tiger H1/E tanks getting destroyed in this video coupled with the somewhat recent meme about "how to assign BR for Tiger" makes me do a really big think.

[@WarfighterS-uy7jd]

@Uganda Knuckles I'm afraid it's far from OP.

[@alpengasten4515]

Aren't supersonic jets just big shells?

[@rn-zu5ld]

Yes and fast

[@pussdesutroyer9481]

Yes

[@user-yz3vn4wb2v]

No... big rockets

[@taufiqa.farizi9103]

you mean big, manned, missiles?

[@Sammael66685]

That's actually how people use them on arcade...

[@melvdoukas1191]

6:21 " Massive damage "

[@elmarcus300]

THATS ALOT OF DAMAGE

[@Lawrance_of_Albania]

@The Juan-nitor i used SU-122 HE shells, they are totaly useless...

[@squidwardo7074]

now they are

[@ernestsgulbis7329]

Pathetic amounts of damage

[@huejass4474]

@Dane Discaya laughs in maus

[@warandpeace9936]

Please decrease shell cost for top tiers. can't earn much Silver lion by playing top tier tank. If the shell cost decrease I think people can play more comfortably and they will enjoy this game more than before.

[@MechanicalDoll]

Tank Engineer At high tier you should already be playing on a premium account and earn more money.

[@AZ-rn7ow]

I also hope that they make challenger mk2 cheaper and also the mk3 not as expensive as abrams

[@AndrewVasirov]

I had no problem with money at High Tiers, honestly. Maybe because I also play with Lower Tiers. Heh, some complaining they don't have enough money, meanwhile, in one week I went from 4 million SL to 5 million SL. :P

[@AZ-rn7ow]

@@AndrewVasirov it depends on the nations because US and britain top tier cost TWICE as much as the soviet top tier meanwhile the other nations cost half more than soviet. Britains and americans need to kill around 6 to 8 enemies just to have enough to repair their tank counting the ammo cost

[@AndrewVasirov]

Oh, yeah, I forgot to mention that I play as Soviets :)

[@happalula]

sorry, but the video doesnt reflect what happens ingame at all....... - APHE-types are king. especially russian APHEBC is the best ammo ingame - second to APHE is only APFSDS (not APDSFS, the sabot isnt fin stabilized........), which is THE meta ammo and will produce results with very high damage output. - APDS is mostly a pain to use, as gaijin nerfed its damage (as its a round used against russian tanks).... best example: conquerors APDS is hideously bad - HESH is reeeeeaaaaally situational and most not as effective as your other ammo choices (yes, even L7 APDS feels more reliable than HESH) -AP rounds are good since the french came out and AP finally got a needed buff. the shells have a solid performance (badumm-tsss) -HEAT? early HEAT shells are decent, always useful to hullbreak stuff (except russian light tanks - russian light tanks hullbreak your shell) -HEATFS (anything ingame thats fin stabilized is far superior to the regular shell types.... i wonder if there is a russian APHEBCFS shell....) is expensive but gets the job done, tho not really reliable in every situation - HE is for hullbreaking potato trucks and rarely useful... except russian HE-FS, that wrecks any modern tank, no matter what..... - APCR...... we dont talk about APCR. this represents the game much better than the video

[@roempoetliar7995]

So... I usually bring 20 HESH as my primary and 5 apds in my STB and wrecking anything is that really normal

[@mercury4088]

That is the sad truth

[@panzerschiff9805]

The Problem is that After the Panzer 4 the HEAT shells are pretty garbage for germans (except the Cold war and Modern Tanks). That's why I stick to APCBC

[@pilzderschleswig-holsteine1385]

I play germans (and i always get punished for it :) )i only play APCBC or APHE and its nice. But Somehow Kingtiger bounces of T34-85 at under 100m.

[@panzerschiff9805]

@@pilzderschleswig-holsteine1385 Quick explanation....broken bounce mechanics. Especially with the IS-2. I like the german tree( It is basically the only thing I play). I have my Motivations. But every time that I play Heat( except German derp like Brumbär) I get Punished. My Tipp at everyone who plays german Tanks.... DONT USE HEAT ( except for MBTs)

[@markuspl4y]

after years gaijin decides to do a tank shells guide #yourabittoolateok

[@R4V3-0N]

From memory they had an older one which is now heavily out dated

[@VaughnG71]

Considering the constant flow of new players(especially on consoles), is it ever really too late. You're not the only one out there.

[@jacobburchill4059]

Nice copying my comment

[@kajebengston1681]

I wish I heard that "never carry more than 12-20 shells" bit when I first started playing. I had to learn the hard way and now I never get ammo racked.

[@belcs7313]

I literally just found this out and i have been playing the game for 2 years.

[@no2742]

I only get ammo racked in top tier but even then it only says crew knocked out

[@user-bn9ts7gq4e]

Uhh Where's the shrapnel shell?

[@danielr.l.mccullough600]

It's basically aphe with more boom and less punch

[@wn6886]

In the rubbish bin where it belongs

[@ODSTOninersIxTwO]

@@danielr.l.mccullough600 no it not.....

[@danielr.l.mccullough600]

MV Master Functionally in game, yes

[@ahmadariqdarwish2042]

APFSDS

[@protovonversion9372]

WOW 😮 The blueprint animation from the shells looks great👍🏻

[@doosh2478]

APCR: "0% chance of ricochet at 66 degrees or less" Pz. IV Front Plate: "I'd beg to differ"

[@kimono93kaloula]

6 years after the open beta, War Thunder discover Gaijin's tutorial. Big up guys, it's all about patience!

[@pilzderschleswig-holsteine1385]

Russian bias detected. Saw no russian suffer only the others.

[@cookieboy2734]

Thanks this was a great video, I learnt a lot and I’ve been playing for 2 years. By the way cool way of showing what the rounds do I thought that’s pretty cool

[@bunuslippur2238]

informative video and these demonstration animations are absolutely beautiful, great stuff

[@yerrrrrd]

I've been waiting for this for 4 years!

[@MyFilip95]

I have been waiting so long for a good video like this.

[@therd2127]

Took you a few years to make this, but is presented really nicely, nice job Gaijin.

[@mikeymikey4186]

Great idea for a video. I'd love to see a vid on ammo belts aswell

[@carlosbanegas7561]

0:29 i wish someone told me that earlier finally realized after quick deaths and video from phly

[@edi9892]

I loved HESH, it worked on nearly any tank even 2 ranks above, as long as you can shoot the roof next to the turret... Now, they really nerfed it...

[@ThatBROperator]

This is helpful, know about the ammo cargo for my survival, I usually get a full load 😅, but I've always use the HEAT at my M4A3 Sherman (105mm), it's so useless, thanks men, you help me

[@ydatoporin]

4:38 hurt my soul...

[@gutaguta0115]

Very nice animations for showing different shell types

[@Aziqy]

This was so help full THANKS👍🏼

[@swt_purged132]

Thanks guys. This is helpful!

[@Daddo22]

Great video, but you forgot about Shrapnel shells... Sad thing is that APDS rounds currently have very lackluster post-penetration damage. Another fact worth mentioning is, that for some reason, when Gaijin was buffing shrapnel damage from full-caliber AP shells penetrating through armour plate, they completely neglected all shell types with HE filler (only solid shots were buffed). This means that when you get shot by something like M103, the shell creates as many shrapnel coming through each armour plate it goes through as an explosion of APCBC from T-10M with HE filler when it explodes after 1st plate, where it ceases to exist. The difference is perfectly visible in British tree, where you have the same shell with HE and inert filler (M61 75mm on Sherman and Cromwell V / Churchill VII) and for some reason the one with inert filler creates much more shrapnels when it penetrates armour plate. All I want is for the shell (full-caliber AP) with the same mass, size and speed to create the same amount of shrapnel from going through the same armour plate, regardless the presence of HE filler.

[@diffsmasher4824]

thank you, very helpful. I am grinding up the American line and am starting to come across Tiger 2's. need to ammo up

[@thomasmcluckie2014]

not just enemy armor makes the heat shell explode he says you have to watch out for the all powerful tree leaf,these shells are so broken the are almost useless on certain maps you can't shoot through a bush or even tall grass detonates the shell at least my heatfs in my m46 they do its a big problem

[@DaSpineLessFish]

I just love it when my shell just disappears mid-air, not even just HEAT.

[@thomasmcluckie2014]

@@DaSpineLessFish ya lately i have had them go right through the tank am shooting at but i get nothing like i never fired a shot the shell just passes right through the guys tanks like its not there last night i drove through the corner of a building on the Italy map 1/4 of my tank was in the wall some stuff needs fixing for sure

[@RST9413]

DaSpineLessFish i playing this game 2 years. And i don t have this issue. Look at pl loss . Probably ur internet is the problem

[@DaSpineLessFish]

@@RST9413 And I've been playing for over 5 now, it's not my internet that's the problem. I've had games where .50 cals have penetrated my Panther turrets and direct bomb drops non-pen. It's not just me who gets these problems either.

[@builder396]

HESH and HE are also fairly susceptible to trees and fences.

[@Fran-sr1sb]

It was time already to have an explanation why russian armour is almost impenetrable and russian shells are so good *Russian bias confirmed by gaijob*

[@rickyheath7607]

I really like the length they went to to get accurate pin for the different shells.

[@rn-zu5ld]

Somebody already made the video

[@skDoger]

yes

[@rn-zu5ld]

@@skDoger you're the one that made it

[@buzdygan5488]

​@@skDoger and your video was 4 times better than this one

[@skDoger]

@@buzdygan5488

[@PrintScreen.]

@@buzdygan5488 nah

[@starscreamsdkfz475]

At last.. a guide of this! THANKS GOD...

[@drezworthy]

Good overview for new players. I like the demonstrative penetration videos, nice touch!

[@Adit-hi7mu]

the animations are beautiful gaijin, thumbs up for that

[@alexanderjonsson5749]

Finally something interesting!

[@FertP0wer]

I really like animations and thank you for this video.

[@marijnnn4992]

Thanks i needed this

[@xcritic9671]

what he said about carrying only 12 to 20 shells only applies at mid to higher ranks. if you have a fast firing low cal. gun you want to carry 30 to 40. Or for the big boys with slow reloads, go into test drive and see how many shots you can store in a single rack by holding O and firing them off until you have only 1 storage unemptied. This will also show you the location of that tanks base ammo rack, which can be useful information when targeting or protecting it.

[@jelipooni7125]

i needed this for soooo long....

[@isni1946]

Nice video ! we need that kind of videos to understand the game's mechanics

[@rn-zu5ld]

@3,14 _ avoid captured ones

[@arwood111]

Well done!

[@violet_skrs]

This was actually quite helpful. Gonna save this video

[@manager7186]

This helps so much

[@Dixon0707]

My favorite so far, the stallinium shell br-350 armor piercing capped ballisc shell

[@CoytagPlayZ]

Pro tip: if u are short on SL then play Ground realistic battle with reserve vehicle. Most of the players will be inexperienced so its easy to grind

[@chrisboi584]

As a new player trying to get into the game: This is extremely scummy and has turned me entirely away from tanks. I play exclusively air now, not because I don’t enjoy the tanks, but because everyone on tank is trying to grind the new players for xp and I can’t get started without getting sniped across the map at spawn.

[@furretthefuzzynoodle3896]

@@chrisboi584 oh I get absolutely destroyed but it makes me a such better player.

[@Eonfixx]

Well, this was kinda good, great for newcomers, Gj Gaijin :)

[@merci8545]

yo that first tip blew my mind thank so much lmao that makes so much sense

[@tkthegk_1394]

its a very obvious tip, unless ur a new players

[@merci8545]

@@tkthegk_1394 And I am lmao what is ur point. I'm bad and I know I am.

[@rafis0734]

I always had the max shell amount, bc i didn't thinked of that, thanks

[@seanpaologallano8528]

you could probably use the damage indicator as to know where the modules are if you fail to kill the enemy with one shot

[@scottsen2128]

Love the animation gaijin good stuff

[@sparrisguy6330]

Exactly what I needed!

[@rn-zu5ld]

You get a video made before this

[@calebb5508]

HE shots on the Swedish tank destroyer is a lot of fun. If you have good aim, you can hit an M13 hiding slightly behind a hill

[@ltpuggles5762]

Tip: if you have APHE try to hit the middle of the tank or some where below the turret

[@jerrodwhipple7982]

A few other factors is the type of gun, type of shell you already have loaded, and the type of tank your fighting. Basically what he said just more simple for those who doesn’t understand.

[@Shunteration]

*Fragmentation shells:* _Am I a joke to you?_

[@pattypat8765]

Now I know why my buddies hit the Tiger's front armor with success. Danke Gaijin, Sehr nett!

[@airfryer9184]

In soviet tank. There is a secret shell. It was sgs S- stalin G- guided S-shell

[@jeltfr4582]

Ill do it short for you: Take the shell with -best pen on slope -he filler For top tier : HE-F if not avaible best pen apfsds (watch out for your sl tho)

[@Sashidar_]

1:18 "Very Useful" .. Nice modulation :)

[@stephenallen4635]

Was waiting for it to go in depth on Hesh shells and talk about why they don't work half the time

[@Rockethead293]

When he said "the victory will be yours" it reminded me of the "Victory is Ours!" thing

[@geoffrey6554]

2:28 bushes and thin air might (will) detonate heat shells too, no big deal

[@cool_crazman7861]

When talking about the APHE, the tiger has 131 on the side, this is representing the real tiger 131, wich is the last operating tiger tank, now in the tank museum at bovington

[@TehShinegami]

They forgot the RNG shells. The shells that penetrates no matter the angle and armor rating, and explode everything (or nothing) even if it has no explosive filler

[@dionesvaldez088]

MANY CLASS OF SHELLS

[@ocs10]

very nice video

[@teafuze6878]

Its so amazing

[@czech_hans2538]

Thanks a lot

[@GamaGamer1]

Kinda quickly brushing over APDS, not gonna mention how hilariously weak and under powered it is compared to Russian doom cannons

[@rn-zu5ld]

Russian guns have stallinium outer parts and vodka explosive filler

[@krismakardikan9823]

Hmm... I keep reading things about Russian bias regarding this game. If it's true, why the hell isn't there even an Su-27 to fly?

[@tbxfgaming4137]

I’m practically a noob when it came to ammo type except APHE and honestly this really did help me and hopefully others. Also reading the comments this community is so friendly it just shows how good of a game it is.

[@razortheonethelight7303]

must be new around these parts. you will meet the most salty people and some of the best here.

[@tbxfgaming4137]

Razor The One The Light all I saw when I watched was good but I do understand salty people half the time I stop playing for a bit because of the type of bs in game.

[@tbxfgaming4137]

Razor The One The Light but I always come back because it’s one of the best when it comes to tank RB gameplay.

[@razortheonethelight7303]

@@tbxfgaming4137 ya, war thunder has that magjical ablity.

[@ferrofilos]

In the safest place of your tank (behind the gunner on the kingtiger series foto more oneshotabillity)

[@creationfied]

Thank you I just started playing and got to tier 4 stuff but I still think the penetration determines its power xD

[@AZ-rn7ow]

have you played british and germany and compared the differences in their shells? you should find that penetration is not always power, it is EXPLOSION

[@voidmaster1990]

Has anyone ever looked at the IS-7’s 130mm APHEBC and thought to himself: this shell is weak. If so... ask the german team what its like...

[@dazcookiez3714]

no, at top tier, the more pen the apfsds has, the less change you have to 1 shot the enemy tank. also, theres not too many places where a 500+mm pen apfsds will surely pen. so use the lower pen apfsds, and shoot where you are certain you can pen. like mantlets, sides, lower/upper plate depending on te angle

[@marianrodila1]

I love this dude's voice

[@alpha_rushlord3934]

Can you make a video about the weakest tank spots ?

[@cabbageashthe1st594]

I like how when he talks about “getting ammo racked” a clip of the FV4005 come’s up, you can ammo rack that thing with a 50. Cal

[@mohammedcohen]

APDSFS does need an explosive filler...it kills by penetrating causing spalling...in addition to the splinter from the penetrator...moderrn APDSFS uses depleted uranium...which has a pryophoric effect...it burns when it penetrates...the effects of these round...and their efficacy was shown in the first Gulf War when allied tanks made kills in excess of 4000 meters - penetrating the protective berms around the tanks...penetrating the tanks through and through

[@mspaint6313]

What was that first tank at the beginning of the vid? Why was the barrel bent and why does it have rockets? Why do I want it now?

[@warsowgamer4fun]

0:44 will only be stored in the safest places inside tank, oh you mean like the ready ammo rak on the tiger II wich is not only historicaly unaccurate but also the stupidest balance idea ever the turretcheeks was always the tiger II's weekpoint with luck you survived two shots into it, nearly everything on its tier can just butter its way trough the cheeks, but cou atleast had a chance of surviving the encounter now every shot to the cheeks is just a one shot kill, making a head on approach on ANY distance useless by that making the highly immobile tiger II useless as a heavy tank

[@repicmi]

The tiger II is a great tank, it has great mobility for a heavy (If you say highly inmobile tank see the Maus), the frontal armor is enough just don't brawl other heavies

[@ethandearman3965]

It's so satisfying to send the m56s heat round into the turret ammo rack of the tiger 2

[@Bin_ZOV]

the back of the turret is the ready rack of the Tiger 2 IRL so it's historically accurate. They normally engaged targets at 2.5km + which is a pretty safe distance for that kind of armor, so cut your bullshit.

[@warsowgamer4fun]

@@Bin_ZOV it WAS the ready rack until in one engagement several king tigers were lost to a small number of outdated t34 variants most of wich were knocked because the ready rack in turret was hit and ccoked off, after that it was wehrmacht doctrine to stop using as a ready rack. Do your research first then try to berate me

[@DaSpineLessFish]

@@Bin_ZOV Tiger II crews were specifically told not to store ammunition in the turret during combat dipshit

[@lucidsardi5735]

Hello war thunder i have multiple questions for you my first question is wil you ever add a Dutch tech tree because there are allot of interresting vehicles made in Holland. Another question of mine is wil you ever add a map based on the battle of Arnhem where 2 german tank battalions were stationed? I hope you can awnser my question.

[@freedomisntfreeffs]

How are HESH shots affected by slat/cage armor? Do they go through and explode on the armor itself or can it detonate them away from the armor?

[@Pilot19597]

Will you please make a video, where you explain how you calculate a penetration of a shell? I think many people would appreciate it, since for example 3BM-22 at 2000m penetrates about 100mm more than it should according to official documents...

[@kiagh8123]

You sure about that? fofanov.armor.kiev.ua/ Specifically under APFSDS nomenclature, 3BM-22 predicted penetration is 430mm at 2km and 0 degrees, it is definitely able to defeat a 380mm/170mm plate at that distance at 0/60 degrees respectively, I don't see a problem here.

[@krismakardikan9823]

So much for the comment I was thinking about making about War Thunder being just another pre-enlistment tutorial, like Gurkha training academies.

[@ericpilloni6903]

Great, now can you do a guide on ammo belts? Because those confuse the hell out of me.

[@Function.displayName]

I actually use the APFSDS (38) on the T55AM1 and 3 ATGM missles and 1 APHE.The round spam

[@Function.displayName]

I use the APHE to go against the T44100's or SPAA's

[@ThanhNguyen-wp7if]

I like this guys sound

[@lane-_-mass5006]

Equip shells acordingly you say well it seems that doesnt help against the tank destroyer across wich cant be hit but can just abliterate any one who trys to line up a shot

[@mixedchannelgameproduction901]

HESH also has very poor post pen, mostly killing just the very things directly behind the armor. They nerfed hesh a lot.

[@gabaanakov]

0:00 "There are tons and tons of different shells in our games.“ 発音すき

[@michaelcook7924]

FINALLY!

[@gandalf97]

What about the best shell in game, the ap anti-concrete shell from the kv-2???

[@stevovsbmx35]

Since the B1 centauro is coming to the game I'm just wondering is the m1128 Stryker is that coming to the game or later on?

[@abdullahakhtar9824]

What about the shells in SPAAGs? Especially the incendiary ones

[@Project-gr6zy]

Hey! The he on the kv2 is it's own round it's not with the likes of the other he, it is it's own level of godship