With the upcoming update, one of the tanks that is to be added is the Cromwell 1 on BR3, which is quite exciting. However, it was confirmed by Euthy in the replies that it will be using the AP shell, but is liable to change based on feedback, which is what this post aims to do.
The AP shell, the Shot Mk.5, is the same one used by the Crusader with 101 millimeters of penetration, and while it works well enough against BR2 and 3 tanks, it will be a problem for the Cromwell against downtiered German BR4 tanks. I suggest that instead of this shell, it will receive the Shot Mk.9 APCBC shell. This will improve the penetration of the cannon from 101mms to 122mms, which will make it much more capable against more armored tanks it could face. This would have a fair bit more penetration than the 75mm M3’s APCBC, which only penetrates 104mms, but it does lack any filler. So combined with the fact that the armor and HE shell is a bit weaker than that of the Shermans, I think this would be a logical and balanced buff to the Cromwell to make it a viable tank in BR3.
For reference, the stats of the shells, taken from the WT wiki:
Should the Cromwell’s predicted AP shells be replaced with APCBC?
Yes. I specifically said it’s from the American 57mm if u were paying attention. The American 57mm field gun in game already uses 6 pounder ammunition so there’s precedent for this
Yeah, I agree. The current Cromwell Mk. I at BR 3 makes little sense.
The Churchill at BR 3 at least has usable hull armor and the 6-pounder Mk.V that can penetrate the Panther’s front.
The Cromwell Mk. I has neither. Its 6-pounder Mk.II can barely penetrate the Panther’s front armor.
It’s just a bigger Crusader and struggles even against Panzer IVs in BR 3 battles.
It’s the most useless new vehicle in this update.
Because it would be functionally useless at Br III without an APCBC shell there will still no reason to use it over the Sherman II and M4A1 at that tier.
