Hull-down — illustrative concept image
defense

Hull-down

Hull-down position

In one sentence:

Hiding the hull behind a ridge or wall, exposing only the turret.

What it means

Hull-down is the king of defensive positions. By positioning only your turret above a ridge or wall, you present enemies with the strongest armor on your tank (heavily-armored turrets) while your weaker hull stays hidden.

Tanks that excel

Tanks with strong turret armor and high gun depression (the ability to point the gun downward) excel at hull-down. The IS-7, T110E5, Super Conqueror, and 60TP are king-tier hull-down tanks.

Gun depression's role

Without 8-10° of gun depression, hull-down is impossible — the gun can't aim over the ridge. American and British tanks generally have 8-10° depression. Soviet tanks: 4-6°.

Example

A Super Conqueror with -10° gun depression and 280mm turret face can sit hull-down on Prokhorovka ridge and trade with two enemy heavies indefinitely while taking almost no damage.

Why it matters

Hull-down play is the cornerstone of competent heavy tank play. Knowing which ridges to hull-down on (and which to avoid) separates 40% players from 60% players.

Common pitfall

⚠ Some tanks have weak turret roof armor — enemies above can damage you from elevation. Hull-down behind ridges where enemies will be at your level, not above.
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