Post-Penetration Damage Analysis
War Thunder Shell Damage Estimator
Calculate post-penetration damage, crew casualties, module destruction probability, and one-shot kill chances for all shell types in War Thunder.
💥 Damage Calculator
Estimate internal damage after successful armor penetration. Calculate crew casualties, module destruction, and kill probability.
Armor-Piercing High Explosive
20mm 183mm
TNT equivalent
Hits crew and multiple modules
Armor fragments created by penetration
2 (Light) 4-5 (Medium/Heavy) 6 (Heavy)
Damage Result
Damage Score: 251
One-Shot Kill Probability
90%
Crew Knocked Out 4 / 5
Damage Rating Excellent
Spalling Level High
Shell Damage Info
💥 APHE
Explosive filler detonates after penetration
Best vs: All tank types - most versatile
Avg One-Shot: 85%
Hit Location Info
🎯 Center Mass
Hits crew and multiple modules
Damage Mult: 150%
Kill Chance: 70%
💡 Best general aim point
📊 Shell Damage Tier List
S-Tier Damage One-Shot: 70-90%
APHEHE (vs light)
Reliable one-shot kills
A-Tier Damage One-Shot: 50-70%
APFSDSHEAT-FSHESH
Good damage, may need follow-up
B-Tier Damage One-Shot: 30-50%
APDSHEAT
Moderate damage, precise aim required
C-Tier Damage One-Shot: 15-30%
APAPCR
Poor damage, multiple shots needed
💢 Damage Mechanics Explained
💢 Post-Penetration Damage
- • Spalling: Armor fragments that fly into crew compartment
- • Explosive filler: Detonates inside tank (APHE only)
- • Kinetic penetrator: Long rod that damages along path (APFSDS)
- • Shaped charge jet: Burns through modules (HEAT)
- • Blast overpressure: Pressure wave kills crew (HE on light tanks)
👥 Crew Damage System
- • Each crew member has health pool and can be knocked out
- • Losing gunner prevents firing for ~5 seconds
- • Losing driver immobilizes tank temporarily
- • Losing 3+ crew members usually results in kill
- • Commander loss affects spawn points and targeting
⚙️ Module Damage Effects
- • Engine: Reduced mobility, fire risk, can be repaired
- • Transmission: Cannot move, faster repair than engine
- • Ammo rack: Red = explodes, yellow = damaged, black = destroyed
- • Gun breach: Cannot fire, medium repair time
- • Tracks: Immobilized, quick field repair possible
🔥 Fire Mechanics
- • Fuel tank hits have 40-60% fire chance
- • Engine hits have 20-30% fire chance
- • Fires deal damage over time to crew and modules
- • FPE (Fire Extinguisher) required to put out fires
- • Without FPE, fires usually result in destruction
🎯 Damage Optimization Tips
📈 Maximizing Damage Output
- • Learn ammo rack locations for common enemies
- • Aim center mass when ammo location unknown
- • Use APHE over solid shot whenever available
- • Target fuel tanks for fire damage over time
- • Shoot breech to prevent return fire while repositioning
🎯 Shell Type Selection
- • APHE: Primary ammo for 90% of situations
- • APCR/APDS: Only when APHE cannot penetrate
- • HEAT-FS: Long range or when APHE unavailable
- • HE: Against open-tops, SPAA, and overpressure targets
- • Always carry 5-10 HE rounds for opportunistic kills
🎖️ Target Priority
- • Kill enemies that can kill you first (gun pointed at you)
- • Disable enemies by shooting gun breech/barrel
- • Immobilize threats by shooting engine/transmission
- • Save one-shot capable enemies for last if safe
- • Prioritize enemies reloading or distracted
🔄 Follow-Up Shots
- • If first shot doesn't kill, immediately fire again
- • Target different area for second shot (spread damage)
- • Shoot ammo racks even if already yellow/black
- • Don't assume enemy is dead until "Target Destroyed" appears
- • Wounded tanks can still fire back - stay aggressive
🔍 Damage Comparison by Shell Type
| Shell Type | Damage Mechanism | Avg Crew Kills | One-Shot Rate | Best Target |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| APHE | Explosion + Spalling | 3-5 | 70-85% | All tanks |
| AP | Spalling only | 1-2 | 15-25% | Ammo racks |
| APCR | Minimal spalling | 1 | 10-20% | Ammo only |
| APDS | Small penetrator | 1-2 | 30-40% | Modules/crew |
| APFSDS | Long rod damage | 2-4 | 60-70% | Modern tanks |
| HEAT | Shaped charge jet | 2-3 | 55-65% | Mid-tier tanks |
| HEAT-FS | High-velocity jet | 2-4 | 60-75% | Cold War tanks |
| HE | Blast + fragments | All (overpressure) | 90% (light) | SPAA/Light |
| HESH | Internal spalling | 3-4 | 70-80% | Light armor |
💡 Pro Tips for Maximum Damage
🎯 Ammo Rack Hunting
Learn common ammo locations using Protection Analysis. Ammo racks guarantee kills.
- • T-34: Hull floor and sides
- • Tiger: Hull sides, turret rear
- • Sherman: Sponsons (sides)
- • Panther: Hull sides, turret
💥 APHE Superiority
Always use APHE over solid shot when available. 3-4x more damage than AP/APCR.
- • Kills 3-5 crew vs 1-2 for solid shot
- • 70-85% one-shot rate
- • Only use APCR if APHE can't pen
🔥 Fuel Tank Fires
Fuel tanks cause fires that kill crew over time. High damage multiplier.
- • 40-60% fire chance
- • Burns crew and modules
- • Often fatal without FPE
🎖️ Center Mass Shots
When ammo location unknown, aim center mass for maximum crew/module hits.
- • Hits multiple crew members
- • Damages engine/transmission
- • May hit side ammo racks
⚡ HE Overpressure
100mm+ HE shells can overpressure light vehicles and SPAA for instant kills.
- • No penetration needed
- • 90%+ kill rate on light targets
- • KV-2, ISU-152 excel at this
🔄 Follow-Up Shots
If first shot doesn't kill, immediately fire again at different location.
- • Don't wait to confirm kill
- • Spread damage across tank
- • Wounded tanks can still fight
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
📖 Understanding Damage Numbers
Damage Score Interpretation
0-50 Points Minimal Damage - Multiple shots needed
50-100 Points Moderate Damage - 2-3 shots to kill
100-150 Points Good Damage - Likely kill
150-200 Points Excellent Damage - High kill chance
200+ Points Devastating - Almost certain kill
What Increases Damage?
- Shell Type aphe