Trying for Citadels vs Pens against other BBs

[Gabriel_LXIX]

Not an experienced BB player here. 

 

I see it always said to aim for the waterline. This probably makes sense against most cruisers because you can punch through to the citadels from just about any angle.

It probably makes sense against most broadside BBs as well, though in some situations the guns would be unable to actually penetrate the Belt and would have to get a penetration under the belt or plunging just above it.

 

I would also assume that in situations against  BBs angled in a way as to make scoring a citadel a very low probability , it makes more sense to elevate your aim and go (as a Cruiser would with 200mm class guns) for normal penetrations against the upper hull/superstructure/bow and stern sections, scoring 3000+ damage penetrations with each shell. Or perhaps even going for turrets of a bow on ship.

 

Is this a correct tactic? 

[Camping4XP]

Correct. Plunging fire is the more reliable way of penetrating an angled target. I've been citadel'd while I was heavily angled against a BB. However, there are some ships like the Kirov who will get citadel'd no matter how you angle. Yamato is also another special case. That ship can pen through a bow on battleship and citadel her. 

[Crucis]

But one has to remember that plunging fire only works at long range.  At mid range and below, the flight trajectory is too flat to score plunging hits.  I can't tell you where that break point is, but I'd guess that it's around 2/3's to 3/4's of the firing gun's max range.  Above that and plunging fire may be possible and below it, the trajectories are probably too flat.  But it probably also varies by ship/gun, since some guns/shells have higher trajectories than others.

[Poltr]

It's a great way to hurt the Tirpitz. Instead of shooting at her ridiculous belt armor, I've had 30k + volleys shooting above the belt in my Amagi.