Shimakazes using AP

[Thyaliad]

Is there a reason why I see so many Shimakazes using AP instead of HE?

Sure, AP can be useful if they are going up against broadsiding ships at very close range, but in any other situation isn't HE just plain better? Since Shimakaze AP shells only do a mere 50 damage more than HE does, while HE can start fires, knock out modules and don't run the risk of ricocheting.

Did I miss something?

[Reinhard_of_Avercland]

Maybe someone is trying to do some experiment of that playstyle? I remember someone came up with AP-only Hindenburg.

[Rina_Pon]

Not everyone knows that Shima's AP only does 50 hp per shell more than her HE.

I mean, heck, I wouldn't have been able to tell you. I just know that on the IJN line you are better off with HE. Maybe he's used to playing German DDs...

[Paladinum]

21 minutes ago, Reinhard_of_Avercland said:

Maybe someone is trying to do some experiment of that playstyle? I remember someone came up with AP-only Hindenburg.

You rang?

The thing is, AP-only Hindenburg actually WORKS, much like if you try to play AP-only US CAs, it would be even better. I believe that you can play most 203 CAs with only AP and still do well enough.

 

Has been a while, so someone jostles me on the "all DD AP are short-fused" thing? Does it apply on all DDs? Or am I just making up stuffs?

[Thyaliad]

1 hour ago, Reinhard_of_Avercland said:

Maybe someone is trying to do some experiment of that playstyle?

 

1 hour ago, Rina_Pon said:

Maybe he's used to playing German DDs...

Could be. Except I have seen different Shima players doing this recently so I thought I was missing something, because I can't think of any reason why a Shima would use AP outside of some very specific situations.

[S0und_Theif]

Could also be new players who is unfamiliar with the game?

To an extent, probably used cash to skip low and mid tier.

 

How do they play?  Do they like play like they know what they are doing or are they doing rookie mistakes?

[Mechfori]

well there's plenty of reason to use AP on those 120/127/128/130 DD guns .. especially for those playing stealth , the time they got spotted they are likely to getting into a brawl which are almost guaranteed close range  and AP at close range simply can be very devastating. That stated , many Cruiser with thin  side suffer from those DD guns AP even at mid range . Sure you want to keep HE on most of the time on a DD but AP is equally useful at times .. its all about using what , and when , on who ...

[sfcgx3]

You still get damage if you hit water with AP close to the ship. Therefore improve hit on target rate. That's the only reason I can think of 

[Reinhard_of_Avercland]

10 hours ago, Paladinum said:

You rang?

The thing is, AP-only Hindenburg actually WORKS, much like if you try to play AP-only US CAs, it would be even better. I believe that you can play most 203 CAs with only AP and still do well enough.

 

Has been a while, so someone jostles me on the "all DD AP are short-fused" thing? Does it apply on all DDs? Or am I just making up stuffs?

Yes I did

I don't think DDs have the short-fuse thing, not even the British DDs. However I ground through Jutland without using HE. I mean most DDs like Kitakaze, Fletcher, and Friesland tend to show broadside whenever they tried to outgun me. So AP-only Jutland kinda worked back then. I also switch to AP immediately when an enemy DD when they show broadside to my Kitakaze & Marceau.

I also did AP-only Venezia yesterday, and it worked.

[Paladinum]

13 minutes ago, Reinhard_of_Avercland said:

 

I don't think DDs have the short-fuse thing, not even the British DDs.

Yeah they do, but not as short as RN CL AP.

Normal AP fuse timer is 0,033s (203) or 0,025s (150/152).

DD AP fuse timer is 0,010s (113/120/127/128).

RN CL AP is 0,005s, a half of that.