Theory: There is a Goldilocks fuze delay for AP shells

[MrDeaf]

Since I can't prove anything, at least, not without someone doing the math on the data-mined numbers, this is just a theory from observation while playing the game.

From my observation, Battleships (partial list)

• USN 406mm SHS fired from Iowa, Missouri and Montana have one of the best matching shell velocities vs. fuse delay, which results in many penetration or citadel hits, no matter the range and no matter the target.
• USN 406mm SHS fired from NC is sub par, because the fuse delay is the same as on Iowa, but the shell velocity is significantly less, resulting in many non-penetrations, especially at longer ranges. Up close, the fuse delay and shell velocity seems to be better suited vs. weaker armor.
• IJN 410mm fired from Nagato and Amagi perform okay, because the fuse delay matches. They don't have the penetration of SHS, but their fuse delay works fine for the shell speed.
• IJN 410mm fired from Izumo is really bad, because the shell and fuse delay is the same as on Nagato and Amagi, but the shell velocity is much higher. This results in more over-penetrations, especially when closer in. However, the shell is also only of T7 quality and, at longer ranges, results in many non-penetrations against thicker armor.
• IJN 460mm seems to have a Goldilocks match for fuse delay and shell velocity, similar to Iowa, Missouri and Montana.
• KM 406mm and 420mm are both far too fast for their fuse delay, which results in many over-penetrations, especially up close. Both shells are T9 quality and will penetrate or citadel at their "ideal" range. Accuracy is the only hindrance for these shells at their ideal range.
• RNBB AP is known to be shorter fuse (except on Warspite) and results in many non-penetration hits against thicker armor, but works just fine against softer targets.

Cruisers (partial list)

• RNCL AP is known to be shorter fuse (except on Belfast) and results in many penetration hits against soft sections and is especially excellent at killing main weapons
• KMCA AP has poor penetration, but the fuse length seems to be ideal in not causing many over-penetrations, even against weaker sections like BB plating armor and superstructure.
• Zao and Moskva have AP shells that seem to be better suited against targets with thicker armor. Thus, shooting weak sections, like the plating armor of BBs, tend to result in over-penetrations.
• Cruisers in general don't tend to have issues landing penetrations or citadel hits, so long as the aim is good.

 

As such, each ship / AP shell has its ideal range and ideal target to shoot at, while simultaneously having targets and ranges they are absolutely awful at. (The playstyle of the ship might not match the ideal ranges of the AP shells)
Some ships / AP shells have a far greater range where it is effective, thanks to having a Goldilocks match on shell velocity, penetration and fuse delay.

Again, this is just a theory from observation and I could be wrong.

[Carl]

One problem with all, of that. Fuse delay cannot cause a non-penetration, even vs the thickest armour in the game at just outside autobounce with RN BB fuse timers you need a shell velocity below 75.6m/s before that can happen. I don;t think an impact velocity that low is possibble, and even if it was you'd bounce due to insufficient pen.

[axyarthur]

interesting idea, though need more data and concrete calculations to prove that your claims are true.

[MrDeaf]

3 hours ago, Carl said:

One problem with all, of that. Fuse delay cannot cause a non-penetration, even vs the thickest armour in the game at just outside autobounce with RN BB fuse timers you need a shell velocity below 75.6m/s before that can happen. I don;t think an impact velocity that low is possibble, and even if it was you'd bounce due to insufficient pen.

Like I said, it's just a theory.

On shatters, It just might be the shell itself has poor enough penetration and cannot penetrate the armor it hit, no matter the fuse delay setting.

From experiencing the ships that has a sister ship in game, with a differing fuse setting, it feels like short fuse causes more non-penetration hits against thicker armor.

[Carl]

Yeah but here's the thing unless there an outright bug of some sort in the fusing system based on everything we know about how the system works it's not physically possibble. Now in terms of Hood/QE vs Warspite, yeah Warspite has more raw pen, so Warspite is going to see fewer bounces.