Choosing the right ammunition is crucial for survival. This guide will teach you the fundamentals of penetration mechanics, when to target armor versus limbs, and how to make effective decisions in combat situations.
TL;DR - Quick Guide
Use the best ammo available and aim for the head whenever possible. Memorize the better armor in the game and evaluate if your ammo can penetrate it.
If armor is too strong: Shoot unprotected body parts like arms and legs instead of wasting ammo on armor.
Alternative "Leg Meta": Use lowest-tier ammo and focus only on unprotected parts. Cheap, effective, but requires more shots than headshots.
Penetration Mechanics
The penetration system is straightforward: if your ammo's penetration power is greater than the enemy's armor class, you have a 92% chance to penetrate their armor.
What happens when you shoot:
- If penetration succeeds: Damage applied to the body part is reduced by armor's penetration resistance (typically 20-40%)
- If penetration fails: Only marginal blunt damage
- In both cases: Armor durability is depleted
As armor durability decreases, its effective armor class drops. At 0 durability, even the strongest armor can be penetrated with 92% chance.
Rule of thumb: Higher ammo tier = more armor damage and penetration power. When shooting protected areas, better ammo depletes enemy armor faster.
View all ammunition statsFor detailed mechanics, check our comprehensivepenetration guide .
Practical Combat Example
Combat Simulation Results:
Depending on your aim confidence, either go for headshots (fastest kill) or target limbs (more reliable but requires more shots).
Headshot Advantage: Enemy armor might already be damaged, or you might hit that lucky 2-8% penetration chance even when your ammo isn't strong enough.
The "Leg Meta" Approach
The leg meta strategy involves using the lowest tier ammo and exclusively targeting unprotected body parts (arms and legs).
Advantages of Leg Meta:
- Cheap: Lowest tier ammo costs significantly less
- Universal: Works against any armor level
- Consistent: Same number of leg shots regardless of enemy gear
- Counter-intuitive effectiveness: Often surprising to enemies
Leg Meta Weakness:
Skilled enemies with good aim will always outplay you with a single headshot. You're trading firepower for cost-effectiveness and consistency.
Combat Strategy Summary
Remember the better armor pieces in the game and mentally evaluate whether your current ammo can penetrate them. When facing well-armored enemies:
High-Tier Ammo Strategy
- Aim for head when confident
- Target chest if head shots are difficult
- Switch to limbs only if armor is too strong
- Consider armor damage over time
Leg Meta Strategy
- Use cheapest ammo available
- Focus exclusively on arms and legs
- Maintain speed te be a harder target
- Strike when least expected