Iron Nest Shells: Blast & Penetration | Iron Nest

Ammunition Selection Doctrine

Understanding the physical properties and tactical trade-offs of each shell type is vital for mission survival in Iron Nest.

Complete Ammunition Matrix

Shell Code	Name	Blast Radius	Penetration Power	Best Against	Key Caution
H	High Explosive	Reference (~0.14 km)	Low (Surface)	Infantry, tanks, artillery	Standard shell; use the ballistic calculator for exact values
HCHE	Heavy High Explosive	Reference (~0.32 km)	Low (Surface)	Clustered targets, trenches	Wide area; watch danger-close friendly fire
AP	Armor-Piercing	Reference (~0.06 km)	Maximum (Underground)	Subterranean caches, targets near friendlies	Penetrates the ground before detonating
APHE	AP High Explosive	Reference (~0.25 km)	High (Delayed fuse)	Fortified pillboxes, mobile artillery	Higher requisition cost
STAR	Star Shell	Illumination only (no blast)	None	Night scouting, spotter correction	Illuminates a wide area; still triggers CBT
SMK	Smoke	Reference (~0.80 km)	None	Friendly retreat cover	Forces nearby troops into cover; drift can shift the screen
TEAR / TGAS	Tear Gas	Status disputed; no confirmed radius	None	Disputed availability	Fandom lists it as unreleased; third-party guides reference tear gas for exposing hidden units. Verify in-game availability

Data note: Blast radii are reference values from the official Fandom Ammunition page (verified September 2026); in-game ballistic calculator values take priority. TEAR/TGAS availability is disputed; verify in-game.

Tactical Shell-by-Shell Breakdown & Fuse Physics

Choosing the wrong shell code wastes requisition supply and risks failing time-critical fire missions when enemy armor or subterranean bunkers shrug off surface fragmentation:

1. H (High Explosive) — Standard Surface Workhorse

The standard H shell detonates immediately upon surface contact with a moderate reference blast radius (~0.14 km). Use H rounds for routine fire missions against exposed infantry squads, light motorized columns, and unfortified field artillery where friendly units are operating nearby and a massive HCHE blast footprint would cause collateral casualties.

2. HCHE (Heavy High Explosive) — Area Saturation & Trench Clearing

HCHE more than doubles the reference blast radius (~0.32 km) compared to standard High Explosive rounds. Because its wide fragmentation pattern covers entire grid intersections, HCHE is the premier choice when forward observers report clustered troop concentrations, sprawling trench networks, or slightly off-target coordinates where you lack time for a spotter correction round. Never fire HCHE on danger-close missions adjacent to friendly infantry lines.

3. AP (Armor-Piercing) — Subterranean & Pinpoint Precision

Unlike surface-detonating explosive shells, the AP shell uses a hardened kinetic casing that burrows deep underground before detonating with a compact reference radius (~0.06 km) and maximum subterranean penetration. Deploy AP shells in two critical scenarios:

• Deep Underground Caches & Reinforced Command Bunkers: Surface H and HCHE blasts dissipate harmlessly above buried concrete roofs; only AP reaches the subterranean magazine.
• Danger-Close Support Near Friendly Troops: Because the AP blast footprint is tightly contained (~0.06 km), experienced gunners use it as a surgical strike tool when enemy armor pushes dangerously close to allied trenches.

4. APHE (Armor-Piercing High Explosive) — Fortified Pillboxes & Heavy Armor

APHE bridges the gap between kinetic penetration and area blast (~0.25 km reference radius). Its delayed-action fuse punches through reinforced concrete pillboxes and heavy mobile artillery plating before triggering a secondary high-explosive burst inside the structure. Because APHE carries a higher requisition cost, reserve it for hardened surface fortifications where standard H rounds bounce and pure AP lacks sufficient splash radius.

5. STAR (Star Shell) & SMK (Smoke Shell) — Utility & Battlefield Control

• STAR Illumination: Deploys a high-altitude parachute flare that illuminates dark sectors without dealing blast damage. Essential for night reconnaissance and visual spotter corrections—but remember that firing a STAR round still produces muzzle flash and acoustic signatures that trigger enemy Counter-Battery (CBT) detection.
• SMK Screening: Blankets a massive reference radius (~0.80 km) in dense obscuring smoke, forcing nearby troops into cover and blinding enemy direct-fire emplacements during allied retreats. Always check prevailing wind direction on your ballistic readout before firing SMK, as crosswinds will drift the smoke canopy across the grid.

Target Archetype to Shell Pairing Quick Checklist

Reported Target Type	Primary Recommended Shell	Backup / Secondary Option	Critical Operator Warning
Open Infantry / Light Trucks	H (High Explosive)	HCHE (if widely dispersed)	Confirm friendly patrol distance before upgrading to HCHE
Sprawling Trench Network	HCHE (Heavy High Explosive)	Dual-barrel H salvo	High collateral radius (~0.32 km); check map perimeter
Deep Subterranean Ammo Cache	AP (Armor-Piercing)	APHE	Surface H/HCHE shells will fail to penetrate buried roofs
Reinforced Concrete Pillbox	APHE (Delayed Fuse)	AP direct hit	Account for higher requisition cost on extended campaigns
Allied Extraction Under Fire	SMK (Smoke Screen)	AP (surgical danger-close)	Account for wind drift across the ~0.80 km smoke screen
Night Unspotted Grid	STAR (Star Shell) in Right Gun	HCHE preloaded in Left Gun	Firing STAR still alerts enemy Counter-Battery (CBT) radar