Battleship armor layout vs IFHE breakpoints

[ScratxNeko]

I'm dedicating this post to taking a look at the current gen armor layouts of battleships and how they stack against the current proposed Inertial Fuze High Explosive. Reminder, this is a flat +30% bonus to penetration for high explosive shells. There's a debuff for fire chance that I will ignore because it's outside the scope of this exercise in Analysis-Fu.

 

First, I'll detail by caliber how much their penetration is. Note I won't focus on battleship calibers because the IFHE issue, if any, with them is when employed against cruisers. Therefore, they're largely out of scope. However, if someone has an insight into BB calibers against BB armor with IFHE, please do. Also, I'm not going to bother looking at BBs below tier 5.

 

~100mm, pens 21-22mm vs 16-17mm

~128mm, pens 27-28mm vs 21mm

~152mm, pens 32-33mm vs 25mm

180mm, pens 39mm vs 30mm

203mm, pens 43mm vs 33mm

 

So, without further ado, let's get to it.

 

JAPAN

 

KONGO

 

 Armor layout :

Bow and stern are 19mm thick except for an extension of the armor belt on the bow. Deck is 38mm, armor belt is 152mm. Superstructure 13mm.

 

Implications:

Bow and stern no longer immune to under 127mm guns. Deck gets rekt by 180mm. That includes 203mm.

 

FUSO

 Armor layout:

25mm bow and stern except armor belt extension on bow, armor deck 35mm, armor belt 152+mm,

 

Implications:

Superstructure becomes vulnerable to ~100mm caliber, bow and stern become vulnerable to ~127mm. Armor deck becomes vulnerable to 180mm.

 

NAGATO

 Armor Layout:

Bow, stern, casemates, deck all 25mm. Superstructure 16mm. Armored deck 70mm. Armor belt 229+mm. Torpedo bulge 25mm.

 

Implications:

Holy mother of god. ~100mm caliber damages superstructure, ~152mm wrecks just about everywhere that isn't a turret. Torpedo bulges may count too, I do not know.

 

AMAGI

 Armor Layout:

Bow, stern, casemates, deck, torpedo bulges, all 32mm. Armor belt 254+mm. Superstructure 19+mm.

 

Implications:

Superstructure vulnerable to 100mm, 150mm wrecks everything that isn't a turret or armor belt. It used to require 203mm to do that.....

 

IZUMO

 Armor Layout:

Essentially 32mm everywhere but the armor belt at 356mm. 19mm superstructure.

 

Implications:

Superstructure vulnerable to 100mm, 150mm wrecks everything that isn't a turret or armor belt. You like how 203mm hurts? Well, 150mm now gets its turn.

 

YAMATO

 Armor Layout:

Bow, side, 32mm. Bow, deck, half 32mm half 50mm. Upper armor belt 32mm, citadel armor belt 410mm, aft deck 32mm except on higher deck at 50mm. Superstructure 19mm. Upper deck over the center of the hull 57mm.

 

Implications:

Superstructure vulnerable to 100mm, upper armor belt and most of the bow and stern now vulnerable to 150mm.

 

GERMANY

 

KONIG

 Armor Layout:

Bow 19mm except at armor belt level with heavy tapering armor, stern 19mm sides 20mm deck except armor belt level. Armor belt 170+mm thinnest at casemates, both deck levels 30mm. Superstructure is 13mm.

 

Implications:

The soft bow and stern parts become vulnerable  to 100mm. Decks become vulnerable to 150mm.

 

BAYERN

 Armor Layout:

Bow and stern are 25mm except at armor belt level. Armor belt at casemate level 170mm, rest of armor belt thicker. Lower deck 30mm, upper deck (over casemates) 40mm.  Superstructure 16mm

 

Implications:

Superstructure vulnerable to 100mm. softer bow and stern areas vulnerable to 127mm, lower deck vulnerable to 150mm. Upper deck vulnerable to 203mm.

 

GNEISENAU/SCHARNHORST (if they have minute differences in armor layout forgive me, I doubt they are material. Using Gneisenau as reference)

 Armor Layout:

Bow and stern 25mm except at armor belt level. Lower armor belt 350mm, upper armor belt 45mm. Deck is 50mm, superstructure is 16mm.

 

Implications:

Superstructure vulnerable to 100mm, bow and stern take damage from 127mm above armor belt level. No other changes.

 

BISMARCK/TIRPITZ (see Scharnhorst disclaimer)

 Armor Layout:

Bow and stern 32mm except at armor belt level, armor belt 320mm, upper armor belt 160mm, deck 50mm, superstructure 19mm

 

Implications:

Superstructure vulnerable to 100mm, bow and stern take damage above armor belt level from 150mm. No other changes.

 

FRIEDRICH DER GROSSE (because I don't have the germanic letter in my keyboard so there)

 Armor Layout:

Bow generally 32mm except at armor belt level and a third of the top being 50mm. Stern generally 32mm except at armor belt level and a fourth of the top being 50mm. Armor belt 90+mm with main belt 300mm, upper main belt 145mm, deck 80mm around the turrets and 50mm over the center of the ship. Superstructure is 19mm.

 

Implications:

The soft 32mm areas become vulnerable to 150mm guns and the superstructure to 100mm. It's... a rather diminute area of the ship.

 

GROSSER KURFURST (See F.d.G.)

 Armor Layout:

Bow is 32mm except at armor belt level and part of the deck level being 50mm. Stern is 32mm except at armor belt level and half of the deck level at 50mm. Main armor belt is 380mm, upper main belt is 150mm, deck is 50mm, superstructure is 19mm.

 

Implications:

Superstructure to 100mm, the small soft 32mm bow and stern areas to 150mm. And nothing else. GERMAN STEEL. Seriously, you'll hardly notice any difference in this ship.

 

 

USA

 

New York

 Armor Layout:

Bow and stern 19mm, 25mm torpedo bulges, 13mm superstructure, 280mm armor belt underneath.

 

Implications:

Everything but torpedo bulges and turrets take damage from 100mm. Torpedo bulges take from 127mm.

 

NEW MEXICO

 Armor Layout:

Armor belt 343mm, superstructure 16mm, everything else 25mm.

 

Implications:

Everything takes damage from 127mm guns except hits on the armor belt or turrets. Superstructure was already vulnerable to 100mm so...

 

COLORADO

 Armor Layout:

343mm armor belt, 16mm superstructure, 25mm everywhere else.

 

Implications:

Everything takes damage from 127mm guns except hits on the armor belt or turrets. Superstructure was already vulnerable to 100mm so...

 

NORTH CAROLINA

Armor Layout:

Bow and stern 32mm, armor belt 305mm, upper armor belt 32mm, deck 37mm, superstructure 19mm.

 

Implications:

Superstructure becomes vulnerable to 100mm, everywhere but armor belt and turrets and deck become vulnerable to 150mm. Deck becomes vulnerable to 180mm Exploding Stalinium. And don't forget that also means 203mm...

 

IOWA/MISSOURI (I imagine the Missouri is the same or close. I don't own one and unless the difference is material, no need to bring it up)

 Armor Layout:

Bow and stern 32mm. Torpedo bulge 25mm, Citadel armor belt 307mm, upper armor belt and deck 38mm, superstructure 19mm.

 

Implications:

Superstructure becomes vulnerable to 100mm, torpedo bulge vulnerable to 127mm (dunno if it does damage), bow and stern vulnerable to 150mm, upper armor belt and deck vulnerable to 180mm exploding stalinium. And don't forget that also means 203mm...

 

MONTANA

 Armor Layout:

Bow and stern 32mm, main armor belt 409mm, upper armor belt 38mm, deck 38mm, superstructure 19mm.

 

Implications:

Superstructure becomes vulnerable to 100mm. Bow and stern vulnerable to 150mm, upper armor belt and deck vulnerable to 180mm exploding stalinium. And don't forget that also means 203mm...

 

UNITED KINGDOM

 

WARSPITE (a.k.a. the Colonizer)

 Armor Layout:

Bow and stern 25mm, armor belt 152mm, torpedo bulge 25mm, casemate armor belt and deck 25mm, superstructure 16mm.

 

Implications:

Just about everything but a thin strip of main armor belt becomes vulnerable to 127mm guns. Especially if torpedo bulge penetrations count for damage dealing.

 

 

Yeah, that's about it. I'll refrain from offering opinions since it's 5am and I want sleep. I seriously pity the japanese, though, they clearly seem to get the wrong end of the stick here... and I am seriously tempted to say GERMAN STEEL for some reason. Totally wouldn't have anything to do with how their armor layout seems to give so little new surface area for this potential upcoming new skill to work on...

[ParEx]

Hmm, where was the new ammo type announced? Just asking.

Seems like WG finally does the step towards a real pay2win like the introduction of goldammo in WoWs which clearly cut down the skill ceiling.

With the current meta, the imbalance and the low population I am not sure if that is the right step.

 

Or WG just plans to milk the occasional player who walks by, spend a few coins and leaves.

[RUSSIANBlAS]

Hmm, where was the new ammo type announced? Just asking.

Seems like WG finally does the step towards a real pay2win like the introduction of goldammo in WoWs which clearly cut down the skill ceiling.

With the current meta, the imbalance and the low population I am not sure if that is the right step.

 

Or WG just plans to milk the occasional player who walks by, spend a few coins and leaves.

 

 No!

 

It's just a new HE captain skill that gives you better pen in exchange for less fire chance.

 

Not p2w ammo yet!!

[Celandri]

some need to learn to read patchnotes.

 

but danm that means everyone and the cruisers need to use this skill now

[Blitzkrieguk]

some need to learn to read patchnotes.

 

but danm that means everyone and the cruisers need to use this skill now

 

For a 6% flat reduction on fire chance. No thanks, i'd rather have the ability to burn BBs to the ground.

[Nechrom]

 

For a 6% flat reduction on fire chance. No thanks, i'd rather have the ability to burn BBs to the ground.

 

3%

[Panocek]

 

For a 6% flat reduction on fire chance. No thanks, i'd rather have the ability to burn BBs to the ground.

 

in test2 it will have only 3% fire chance penalty and have increased effect from 25% to 30%. Fire chance nerf cancels out with Demo

[Blitzkrieguk]

 

3%

 

 

in test2 it will have only 3% fire chance penalty and have increased effect from 25% to 30%. Fire chance nerf cancels out with Demo

 

Oh they've changed it. Hmmm might be more worth it then.

[Cyclops_]

All this will do is mean that I will not be tanking in my BB from now on, shame really as I enjoy a bit of Tanking :-(

[mtm78]

WG: We would like to give more 'options' in captain skills....

 

Introduces RPF which is a must have for DD's ( at the very least )

Introduces this new HE skill which looks like a must for gunboat/s and CL's.

 

Where are the 'options'?

[Nechrom]

in test2 it will have only 3% fire chance penalty and have increased effect from 25% to 30%. Fire chance nerf cancels out with Demo

 

Demo is only +2%

[mtm78]

 

Demo is only +2%

 

+ flags for .5% each and ur back on your old level.

 

Akizuki seems to really want to use this perk.

[Panocek]

WG: We would like to give more 'options' in captain skills....

 

Introduces RPF which is a must have for DD's ( at the very least )

Introduces this new HE skill which looks like a must for gunboat/s and CL's.

 

Where are the 'options'?

 

You can always not take RPF and take Concealment

[Zathras_Grimm]

All this will do is mean that I will not be tanking in my BB from now on, shame really as I enjoy a bit of Tanking :-(

Many don't expect BBs to tank, just come forward and support the DDs/CAs.

Both DDs and CAs will still be in front, they have less HP and no health button. Please BBs whenever something new comes out don't automatically say 'not going forward anymore!'

This is why I sometimes feel it should be the CAs that have the health button. 

[Nethraniel]

 

You can always not take RPF and take Concealment

 

My planned IJN DD captains would get both...

[mtm78]

 

My planned IJN DD captains would get both...

 

^^

[Celandri]

my ijn captain will get bouth. well most ships will get bouth

[BCHood]

Hm, if this gives fruit in game as the numbers suggest, I see specifically IJN BB Captains tanking even less, playing it safer and sniping even more. Which, imo, isn't really good for the meta.

Yet, then, this gives an advantage to the heavier armored units (KM BBs), moreso even if they have a strong HE firing secondary battery (which most of them do anyway).

[ollonborre]

WG: We would like to give more 'options' in captain skills....

 

Introduces RPF which is a must have for DD's ( at the very least )

Introduces this new HE skill which looks like a must for gunboat/s and CL's.

 

Where are the 'options'?

 

For BB's there are plenty of options

[Cpt_Andre]

 

My planned IJN DD captains would get both...

 

 

 

With RPF the ship on the receiving end will get an notification that somebody with RPF has a bearing on them. How do you torp BBs with this your IJN DD (with RPF) if your target gets very early the information about an undetected ship getting in position for an torp attack?

[Nethraniel]

 

 

 

With RPF the ship on the receiving end will get an notification that somebody with RPF has a bearing on them. How do you torp BBs with this your IJN DD (with RPF) if your target gets very early the information about an undetected ship getting in position for an torp attack?

 

I am aware of that. I still expect this skill to be widely used on EU when it goes live... so maybe it is common enough to oversaturate the information input. However, if I am the last one alive, it will give the enemy team some hint, where I am, even when they do not have RPF themelves.

[EsaTuunanen]

Hm, if this gives fruit in game as the numbers suggest, I see specifically IJN BB Captains tanking even less, playing it safer and sniping even more.

Actually it's many of "all or nothing" armor USN BBs which are already weakest against smaller caliber shell spam.

With everything (but turrets) above waterline area vulnerable to 127mm New York just melts like snow in oven especially compared to König.

And 25mm plated New Mexico or Colorado can be easily damaged by just spamming AP into that big flimsy side if they show side.

[walter3kurtz]

Don't forget that with the new Fire Prevention the chances for getting double fires are lower, because superstructure can only burn once. So BB are not be at a disadvantage all things considered. In fact penning HE will do more consistent damage than praying to RNGesus for fires like the cruisers / destroyers have to do now. However I don't like that IJN is seemingly getting the worst of it, reducing their ability to brawl and tank compared to the other lines (Germans especially).

[mtm78]

With RPF the ship on the receiving end will get an notification that somebody with RPF has a bearing on them. How do you torp BBs with this your IJN DD (with RPF) if your target gets very early the information about an undetected ship getting in position for an torp attack?

 

The only thing everyone has is an indicator that you're being tracked by RPF doesn't mean you're always 'ready to get torped' it doesn't work this way....

[Nethraniel]

if your target gets very early the information about an undetected ship getting in position for an torp attack?

Additional thought, if you are in a good flanking position, near your own team, the targeted BB might get the notification, that it has a RPF ship near, but the BB does not know which ship that is, so it can also assume, that the ship having it's bearing, is directly in front in plain sight.

 

So, in short, I will test a lot in the next days if I can on the PTS, but I expect it to still work, somehow, but even harder than before