Top down or two stage ATGMs

[jeffreywilens]

There has been some mention on these boards that certain more modern ATGM's are designed to attach vehicles from the top down (so they should be compared to the top armor) or are two stage with the first stage designed to defeat ERA for example and then the second stage to penetrate the steel.

But is there some way to tell which ATGM's in the game (if any) have either of these technologies and how are the technologies modeled?

[RightDeve]

For double charge, aka tandem, ATGM, you'll see in their info screen "DC-ATGM", under Notes besides ammo loadout.
Top attack, this is an attack mode, so you can see it on the yellow bar when an ATGM unit capable of doing that, is firing. You can see it clearly if you set Message Delay to high in Preferences.

The game models them generally as it is in real life. The first charge of DC-ATGM would defeat outer parts of the armor, i.e anti-HEAT or ERA, then the second charge, the steel armor.
Top attack, attacks the top part of an AFV, i.e, the shot impacts on the top armor instead of the normal sides/front/back armor.

[scorpio_rocks]

Look at the weapon class in mobhack (from Mobhack help):

Class 13 = ATGM
Class 20 =Top Attack ATGM - generates many more top attack hits due to its flyover trajectory. It also is considered a class 21 missile for anti ERA purposes.
Class 21 = Multi Charge ATGM - Modern missile with 2 or more sub charges designed to strip away ERA, or a 'dibber' or similar device. Performs better against ERA protected units than class 13.

[RightDeve]

Just to add, you can see Top Attack ATGM from their info screen, listed under Notes as "TA-ATGM".

[jeffreywilens]

Great information, thanks.