Decoding the Damage Model: How Panzer Elite Calculates Penetration and Destruction
(Introduction)
Panzer Elite, while focused on historical realism, uses a complex damage model to determine the outcome of tank engagements. This isn't a simple point-and-click affair; instead, a series of calculations, based on real-world physics and factors, dictates whether a shell will penetrate armor, cause damage, or ricochet harmlessly away. This article will delve into the mechanics behind these calculations, exploring the core elements of the game’s damage model and how small choices can impact the outcome of an engagement.
(TL;DR)
The Panzer Elite damage model is a complex system that simulates realistic tank combat. Key factors include: penetration values that decrease with range, angle of impact that significantly alters penetration effectiveness (flanking is best!), different ammunition types with varying damage characteristics, module damage that affects tank performance, and a spotting system influenced by range and terrain. Ultimately, mastering Panzer Elite’s damage model requires understanding these core mechanics to make better tactical decisions. This is a long read, and we are going into a lot of detail, but it is a detailed analysis of the game's mechanics, based on Gemini's analysis of the game data, and how they interact. The level of detail here provides a unique insight into the game, which few people understand outside of the game's original creators.
(The Core Elements of the Damage Model)
The Panzer Elite damage model is built around interconnected elements that determine the likelihood and severity of damage. These include:
Penetration: The base ability of a shell to pierce through armor at a given range, modified by various factors.
Angle of Impact: The angle at which a projectile strikes the armor. This is a critical factor in the effectiveness of the shot.
Ammunition Type: Each type of ammunition (AP, HE, etc.) has different penetration values, and damage characteristics.
Module Damage: After penetration, different modules can be damaged, each having a specific effect on the target.
Range: As range increases, penetration power decreases.
Armor Thickness and Composition: Each tank has armor with varying thickness and material, each with a different rating.
(Penetration and Range)
The core of the penetration calculation begins with the base penetration value for each shell type, as defined in HitTable.csv. This file shows that each shell has a defined amount of penetration, which degrades over distance. As the range increases, the value of penetration decreases, showing that a shot at a distance is far less likely to penetrate than a shot at a close distance. At longer ranges, a shell that would have otherwise penetrated a target is no longer able to do so.
(Angle of Impact and Effective Armor)
The angle at which a shell strikes the armor is a key factor. HitModifier.csv shows how angles influence the effectiveness of a shot:
Direct (90-Degree) Impact: A 90-degree impact means the shell strikes the armor perpendicular to its surface. While it applies maximum force to the armor, the armor is also at its maximum effective thickness.
Moderately Shallow Angles (Approximately 20-60 degrees): Within this range, the effective penetration of the shell is often increased compared to a direct hit. This occurs because the shell is more likely to "bite" into the armour, and is also hitting it when the effective armour value is at its lowest.
Very Shallow Angles (Approaching 0 Degrees): At very shallow angles, the shell is likely to ricochet or glance off the armor.
Steep Angles (Greater than 90 degrees): At steep angles, the penetration value will be reduced, and the effectiveness of the round will be reduced.
This means that maneuvering to secure a flanking position (between roughly 20 and 60 degrees) becomes key to victory, as it significantly increases the likelihood of penetration, by reducing the effective armor, and by allowing the round to penetrate more effectively.
Let's consider a theoretical example, if the HitModifier.csv file shows that at a 45-degree angle, the penetration is modified by 1.1x, a shell with a penetration value of 100, would have an effective penetration value of 110. The same shell, attacking at 90 degrees with a modifier of 1, would still have an effective penetration value of 100.
(Ammunition Types and Their Effects)
The type of ammunition used also plays a crucial role. HitModifierAmmo.csv reveals the nuances of each ammunition type:
Armor-Piercing (AP): AP shells are designed to penetrate armor and cause damage within the vehicle. They typically have a high penetration value, and an average amount of post penetration damage.
High-Explosive (HE): HE shells have a lower base penetration value but are effective against weaker armor. They are also more effective at damaging modules and causing damage through blast effects.
The effectiveness of each ammunition type is dependent on the angle of attack and the range of the shot. This can be shown by comparing values in HitModifierAmmo.csv with HitTable.csv, and calculating how that can impact gameplay.
(Module Damage and Critical Hits)
After a shell penetrates, the game calculates the damage inflicted on the tank’s internal modules. The diagram below illustrates how a tank is structured internally. Data in DamageTimeTab.csv highlights the varying levels of damage and repair times.
This diagram illustrates the internal layout of a typical tank in Panzer Elite. It highlights the different modules such as the engine, crew, and gun. Understanding the location and vulnerability of each module is crucial for effective tank combat.
The diagram shows the placement of several critical modules. These modules, such as the engine, tracks, gun, and crew, each play a unique role in the overall performance of a tank. A penetrating shot can have a range of different impacts, based on which module it hits:
Engine: Damage to the engine, located at the rear of the vehicle, can reduce mobility or cause the vehicle to be stopped. Data in the DamageTimeTab.csv highlights how long this will take to repair.
Tracks: Track damage can cause reduced mobility, or make the vehicle unable to move. The DamageTimeTab.csv data shows how quickly the tracks can be repaired.
Gun: Damage to the gun, which is located in the turret of the tank, can limit its accuracy or make it unable to fire. The data from DamageTimeTab.csv shows what effect this damage will have on the vehicle.
Crew: Crew hits are always critical, reducing the overall effectiveness of the tank. The DamageTimeTab.csv data shows how long it takes for the crew to recover, or for a replacement to arrive.
A successful penetrating shot can potentially cause a critical hit, such as knocking out the crew, or damaging the gun, both of which will dramatically reduce the effectiveness of the vehicle.
(The Influence of Spotting and Targeting)
The data in SpotTable.csv, SpotModifier.csv and TargetValue.csv also show how the game AI will behave. Factors such as distance, cover, terrain, and visibility all affect the spotting ability of a unit, as well as how the AI will prioritize targets.
The Panzer Elite damage model is complex, taking into consideration multiple data points. By understanding the values present in files like HitTable.csv, HitModifier.csv, and HitModifierAmmo.csv, players can make better tactical decisions. These decisions include understanding what ammo type is most effective at range, the effectiveness of flanking attacks, how spotting and concealment work, and how module damage can influence combat.
(Conclusion)
The damage model in Panzer Elite is detailed and realistic, allowing players to experience commanding a tank in the Second World War. It is a complex interaction between many aspects of the game, which can create varied outcomes. Learning to exploit the nuances of the damage model, as well as the internal components of the target vehicle, can help a player take their Panzer Elite game to the next level, leading to success.
Did you know this concludes my mini-series about Panzer Elite and its many layers? I hope you have enjoyed exploring and creating these pieces as much as I have.
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