World of Warships: Legends ship guide

Tirpitz

Beta
Bow-tank anchorHold the line bow-in and soak fire while the team trades.
Playstyle
  • Anchor a flank at 14-17 km where flanking ships have to cross your torpedo arcs to push
  • Avoid: Drifting broadside to set up a torpedo launch
Key characteristics
Improved HE penSpotter planeWide dispersion
Community Data

Tirpitz Community Stats

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Playstyle

Overview

Tirpitz is a Tier VII German torpedo-equipped battleship: she carries deck torpedoes reaching 6 km on a hull most BBs lack. The torps are a brawl-range threat that forces approaching ships to peel off or eat a wave; the main battery is the primary damage source, the torps are the trap. HE pen sits at the 1/4 caliber ratio instead of the standard 1/6, so HE spam is a real damage option here - pens roughly 1.5x more armor than a same-caliber peer's HE round.

Positioning

Anchor a flank at 14-17 km where flanking ships have to cross your torpedo arcs to push. The torpedoes are a deterrent that closes off whole lanes (under 6 km threat); use that pressure to force enemies into your main battery, then dump torps as a finisher when they commit. Bow on between salvos to keep the citadel angled.

Potato Avoidance

Drifting broadside to set up a torpedo launch

The torpedoes are a trap that closes a lane, not a primary weapon; turn out of a launch if the angle exposes the citadel, and use the threat alone to force lane choices. A dead torpedo BB never drops a torp.

Signature Traits

Turtleback armor

Sloped internal armor between the lower belt and the citadel deck. Bounces AP shells that penetrate the upper belt, so close-range broadside trades are survivable against same-tier guns.

Improved HE penetration

HE pen at the 1/4 caliber ratio instead of the standard 1/6. HE-spam is a real damage option here, not just a fire-starter; pens roughly 1.5x more armor than a same-caliber peer's HE, shared by 11/39 T7 BBs.

Heavy magazine armor

150.0 mm magazine protection, best of T7 BBs. Detonation-resistant.

Punch-through secondaries

38.0 mm best HE pen across secondary families, top decile of T7 BBs. Pens hull plates peers' secondaries shatter on.

Thick deck armor

150.0 mm armor deck, top decile of T7 BBs. Eats plunging fire and HE that peers don't.

Wide dispersion

236.4 m max horizontal dispersion, bottom decile of T7 BBs. Long-range salvos are noticeably wider than peers'.

Acquisition

How to get Tirpitz

Tirpitz is a Premium ship and not available to unlock in the Tech Tree. Acquisition paths: Containers and Collaboration. Container chances are shown as the listed odds of receiving this exact ship, dividing grouped ship-pool odds across the resolved ships and including nested container paths when a crate can drop another crate.

Best listed chance for this ship

  • Santa Level 5 0.428571% Tier VII Premium ship Event containers · Santa Level 5 · 1 of 35 ships
  • Spectral Vault 5.0 0.375% Tier VII Premium ship Event containers · Spectral Vault 5.0 · 1 of 40 ships
  • Mega Santa '23 0.172414% Tier VII Premium ship Event containers · Mega Santa '23 · 1 of 29 ships
Show all 16 containers (13 more)
  • Santa Level 4 0.157143% Tier VII Premium ship Event containers · Santa Level 4 · 2 paths combined · 1 of 35 ships
    Show 2 paths
    • Santa Level 40.114286%
    • Santa Level 4 → Santa Level 50.042857%
  • Spectral Vault 4.0 0.15625% Tier VII Premium ship Event containers · Spectral Vault 4.0 · 2 paths combined · 1 of 40 ships
    Show 2 paths
    • Spectral Vault 4.00.1%
    • Spectral Vault 4.0 → Spectral Vault 5.00.05625%
  • Santa Level 3 0.102143% Tier VII Premium ship Event containers · Santa Level 3 · 4 paths combined · 1 of 35 ships
    Show 4 paths
    • Santa Level 30.057143%
    • Santa Level 3 → Santa Level 50.021429%
    • Santa Level 3 → Santa Level 40.017143%
    • Santa Level 3 → Santa Level 4 → Santa Level 50.006429%
  • Spectral Vault 3.0 0.078437% Tier VII Premium ship Event containers · Spectral Vault 3.0 · 4 paths combined · 1 of 40 ships
    Show 4 paths
    • Spectral Vault 3.00.05%
    • Spectral Vault 3.0 → Spectral Vault 5.00.01125%
    • Spectral Vault 3.0 → Spectral Vault 4.00.011%
    • Spectral Vault 3.0 → Spectral Vault 4.0 → Spectral Vault 5.00.006188%
  • Mystic Lantern 0.074419% Tier VII Premium ship Event containers · Mystic Lantern · 1 of 43 ships
  • Super Santa '23 0.051724% Tier VII Premium ship Event containers · Super Santa '23 · 1 of 29 ships
  • Super Santa '22 0.034615% Tier VII Premium ship Event containers · Super Santa '22 · 1 of 13 ships
  • Santa Level 2 0.026036% Tier VII Premium ship Event containers · Santa Level 2 · 7 paths combined · 1 of 35 ships
    Show 7 paths
    • Santa Level 2 → Santa Level 30.008571%
    • Santa Level 2 → Santa Level 40.005714%
    • Santa Level 2 → Santa Level 3 → Santa Level 50.003214%
    • Santa Level 20.002857%
    • Santa Level 2 → Santa Level 3 → Santa Level 40.002571%
    • Santa Level 2 → Santa Level 4 → Santa Level 50.002143%
    • Santa Level 2 → Santa Level 3 → Santa Level 4 → Santa Level 50.000964%
  • Champion's Box 0.020429% Tier VII Premium ship Event containers · Champion's Box · 4 paths combined · 1 of 35 ships
    Show 4 paths
    • Champion's Box → Santa Level 30.011429%
    • Champion's Box → Santa Level 3 → Santa Level 50.004286%
    • Champion's Box → Santa Level 3 → Santa Level 40.003429%
    • Champion's Box → Santa Level 3 → Santa Level 4 → Santa Level 50.001286%
  • Spectral Vault 2.0 0.013469% Tier VII Premium ship Event containers · Spectral Vault 2.0 · 7 paths combined · 1 of 40 ships
    Show 7 paths
    • Spectral Vault 2.0 → Spectral Vault 3.00.005%
    • Spectral Vault 2.00.0025%
    • Spectral Vault 2.0 → Spectral Vault 4.00.002%
    • Spectral Vault 2.0 → Spectral Vault 3.0 → Spectral Vault 5.00.001125%
    • Spectral Vault 2.0 → Spectral Vault 4.0 → Spectral Vault 5.00.001125%
    • Spectral Vault 2.0 → Spectral Vault 3.0 → Spectral Vault 4.00.0011%
    • Spectral Vault 2.0 → Spectral Vault 3.0 → Spectral Vault 4.0 → Spectral Vault 5.00.000619%
  • Santa Level 1 0.007834% Tier VII Premium ship Event containers · Santa Level 1 · 9 paths combined · 1 of 35 ships
    Show 9 paths
    • Santa Level 1 → Santa Level 30.002857%
    • Santa Level 1 → Santa Level 2 → Santa Level 30.001286%
    • Santa Level 1 → Santa Level 3 → Santa Level 50.001071%
    • Santa Level 1 → Santa Level 2 → Santa Level 40.000857%
    • Santa Level 1 → Santa Level 2 → Santa Level 3 → Santa Level 50.000482%
    • Santa Level 1 → Santa Level 20.000429%
    • Santa Level 1 → Santa Level 2 → Santa Level 3 → Santa Level 40.000386%
    • Santa Level 1 → Santa Level 2 → Santa Level 4 → Santa Level 50.000321%
    • Santa Level 1 → Santa Level 2 → Santa Level 3 → Santa Level 4 → Santa Level 50.000145%
  • Ultimate Crate 0.005172% Tier VII Premium ship Event containers · Ultimate Crate → Super Santa '23 · 1 of 29 ships
  • Spectral Vault 1.0 0.001997% Tier VII Premium ship Event containers · Spectral Vault 1.0 · 11 paths combined · 1 of 40 ships
    Show 11 paths
    • Spectral Vault 1.0 → Spectral Vault 3.00.0005%
    • Spectral Vault 1.0 → Spectral Vault 2.0 → Spectral Vault 3.00.00045%
    • Spectral Vault 1.0 → Spectral Vault 2.00.000225%
    • Spectral Vault 1.0 → Spectral Vault 2.0 → Spectral Vault 4.00.00018%
    • Spectral Vault 1.0 → Spectral Vault 3.0 → Spectral Vault 5.00.000112%
    • Spectral Vault 1.0 → Spectral Vault 3.0 → Spectral Vault 4.00.00011%
    • Spectral Vault 1.0 → Spectral Vault 2.0 → Spectral Vault 4.0 → Spectral Vault 5.00.000101%
    • Spectral Vault 1.0 → Spectral Vault 2.0 → Spectral Vault 3.0 → Spectral Vault 5.00.000101%
    • Spectral Vault 1.0 → Spectral Vault 2.0 → Spectral Vault 3.0 → Spectral Vault 4.00.000099%
    • Spectral Vault 1.0 → Spectral Vault 3.0 → Spectral Vault 4.0 → Spectral Vault 5.00.000062%
    • Spectral Vault 1.0 → Spectral Vault 2.0 → Spectral Vault 3.0 → Spectral Vault 4.0 → Spectral Vault 5.00.000056%
Official WG availability sources
Show direct source rows

Builds Beta

Build for survivability, main-battery accuracy, secondary range, torpedo utility, and fire resistance.

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Cohort position

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Where Tirpitz sits among Tier VII BBs (39 ships). Notable standouts are shown first; the rest of the cohort-ranked stats are in the expand below. Acquisition variants (Black Friday, Founders Edition) are counted once with their base ship, not as separate peers.

Top 10%Main battery reload21.6 s (4/39) Top 25%Hit points72,500 HP (6/39) Top 25%Main battery range17.39 km (10/39) Top 25%Secondary HE pen38 mm (5/37) Top 25%AP arming threshold63 mm (9/39) Top 25%Deck armor150 mm (6/36) Bottom 25%Rudder shift20.9 s (31/39) Bottom 25%Main battery caliber380 mm (31/39) Bottom 25%HE DPM97,778 (31/38) Bottom 25%HE alpha1,700 (34/37) Bottom 25%AA DPS292 (36/39) Bottom 25%AA range4.5 km (32/39) Bottom 25%AA threat956 (36/39) Bottom 10%Main dispersion236.4 m (37/39) WorstTorpedo range6 km (1 of 5 tied) WorstTorpedo damage13,700 (1 of 3 tied)
See 31 mid-pack stats

Not standouts for Tirpitz -- here's where she sits on every other ranked stat in the cohort. Stats tagged NORM are tied across more than half the cohort, so the value is the cohort default rather than a standout.

Max speed31 kt(11/39) Concealment15.44 km(29/39) Air detection12.35 km(29/39) Traverse-to-turn ratio4.65 ×(17/39) Sigma1.95(11/39) HE fire chance34%(25/38) Fires per minute7.56(12/38) AP shell damage11,600(29/39) AP DPM257,778(18/39) Secondary DPM (per side)253,540(11/39) Secondary fire chance8%(25/37) AP velocity820 m/s(17/39) HE velocity820 m/s(20/38) Acceleration8.8 s(17/39) Engine power163,026 hp(13/39) Turn-speed retention191.8 hp/m(15/39) Displacement49,429 t(27/39) Power-to-weight3.3 hp/t(19/39) Secondary range6 km(13/39) Torpedo speed64 kt(5/12) Torpedo reload90 s(7/12) Repair charges3(19/39) Repair heal rate0.6 %/s(11/39) Max armor350 mm(27/39) Citadel belt340 mm(17/37) Stern armor32 mm(15/37) NormSecondary dispersion bracket57(28 of 39 tied at this value) NormAP fuse timer0.03 s(31 of 39 tied at this value) NormAP ricochet start45°(38 of 39 tied at this value) NormAP auto-bounce angle60°(37 of 39 tied at this value) NormBow armor32 mm(29 of 37 tied at this value)

All values are ship base stats with modifications and upgrade changes denoted inline.

Repair 3Fighter
Survivability
Hit Points72,500
Displacement49,429 t
Armor range19–350 mm
Plate armor thicknesses19, 20, 25, 32, 38, 45, 50, 57, 60, 80, 100, 110, 120, 145, 150, 160, 180, 220, 240, 315, 340, 350 mm
Armor material/layer entries61
Fire resistance36.6%
Fire duration60 s
Torp Reduction22%
Magazine HP
ƒThe magazine is the module a detonation comes from. Penetrating hits to it raise the detonation chance from 1% toward 30% as its HP is worn down, so a larger magazine pool rides out citadel hits longer before a detonation becomes likely.
34,700
Steering gear HP
ƒDurability of the steering gears. As this pool drops, hits are likelier to jam the rudder; unlike most modules the steering can be knocked out and repaired but is never permanently destroyed.
21,800
Main Battery
ModuleArtillery: 380 mm L/52 Drh LC/34
Mounts / barrels4 mounts / 8 barrels
Reload time24 s
Firing range17.4 km
Turret traverse5 °/s
Shell Grouping (σ)
ƒShell grouping (sigma); shown in-game as Shell Grouping.
1.9
Max Horiz Disp
ƒHorizontal dispersion ellipse width at max range. (R/30·(idealRadius−minRadius)/idealDistance + minRadius)·30 = (17385/30·(12−2.2)/1000 + 2.2)·30 = 236.4 m
236.4 m
Max Vert Disp
ƒVertical dispersion ellipse height at max range = max horizontal × radiusOnMax = 236.4 × 0.6 = 141.8 m
141.8 m
Med Horiz Disp
ƒ50%-hit horizontal radius = max horizontal × GetHalfHitsRatio(σ) = 236.4 × 0.325 (σ=1.9) = 76.9 m
76.9 m
Med Vert Disp
ƒ50%-hit vertical radius = max vertical × GetHalfHitsRatio(σ) = 141.8 × 0.326 (σ=1.9) = 46.2 m
46.2 m
Turret turn time
ƒ180 degrees / 5 deg/s traverse speed = 36 s.
36 s
Base shells/min
ƒ8 broadside guns x 60 / 24 s base reload = 20.
20
HE shells
HE Damage4,400
HE Velocity820 m/s
Fire Chance34%
HE penetration
ƒ95 mm ≈ 380 mm caliber / 4 (improved HE penetration: German BBs, Yamato-class, and a handful of others).
95 mm
HE full-salvo alpha
ƒ4,400 HE damage x 8 broadside guns = 35,200.
35,200
Base HE DPM
ƒ35,200 HE full-salvo alpha x 60 / 24 s base reload = 88,000.
88,000
Installed HE DPM
ƒ35,200 HE full-salvo alpha x 60 / 21.6 s installed reload (Main Battery Mod. 3 = -10%) = 97,778.
97,778
Base fires/min
ƒ8 HE shells x 60 / 24 s reload x 34% fire chance = 6.8.
6.8
AP shells
AP Damage11,600
AP Velocity820 m/s
Min Ricochet45 deg
Guaranteed Ricochet60 deg
Fuse Timer0.033 s
Fuse Threshold63 mm
AP overmatch
ƒfloor(380 mm caliber / 14.3) = 26 mm (AP auto-penetrates plating this thick or less).
26 mm
AP Pen Close
ƒCanonical community AP formula (jcw780/wows_shell), evaluated at muzzle velocity: 1e-7 × Krupp × mass^0.69 × caliber_m^-1.07 × v0^1.38 = 1e-7 × 2450 × 800^0.69 × 0.38^-1.07 × 820^1.38 = 729.4 mm. Matches the in-game spec card.
729.4 mm
AP Pen Far
ƒSame formula at the ship's max firing range (21.7 km), where the shell has slowed to 518.9 m/s: 1e-7 × 2450 × 800^0.69 × 0.38^-1.07 × 518.9^1.38 = 387.9 mm.
387.9 mm
AP full-salvo alpha
ƒ11,600 AP damage x 8 broadside guns = 92,800.
92,800
Base AP DPM
ƒ92,800 AP full-salvo alpha x 60 / 24 s base reload = 232,000.
232,000
Installed AP DPM
ƒ92,800 AP full-salvo alpha x 60 / 21.6 s installed reload (Main Battery Mod. 3 = -10%) = 257,778.
257,778
AP AOE Radius
ƒAP shell over-penetration splash radius; scales with shell mass. Wickes 102mm = 3, standard 152mm CL ~ 20, Iowa 406mm ~ 270, Yamato 460mm = 400, Incomparable 650mm = 550 (max). Larger value = bigger splash damage area when AP over-pens.
120
Torpedoes
ModuleTorpedoes: G7a T1
Launchers / tubes2 launchers × 4 tubes = 8 tubes
Reload time90 s
Projectile speed64 kt
Range6 km
Maximum simulated damage12,700 (est.)
Alpha damage38,100
Torpedo detectability1.3 km
Torpedo launcher traverse25 °/s
Torp Turn7.2 s
Torp Arming198 m
Per-side salvo damage
ƒper-side salvo x per-torpedo simulated damage.
50,800
AA Defense
AA mount points28
Close-range AA DPS
ƒSum across every AA aura on this ship of (aura.continuous_damage x 3.5 x aura.hit_probability). Here: (11×3.5×0.75) + (54×3.5×0.7) + (50×3.5×0.75) = 292. Covers AA-only mounts plus dual-purpose secondaries (Bismarck 105mm, USN 5"/38 cruiser secondaries) and dual-purpose main batteries (Sumner-class 5"/38, Akizuki-line 100mm). Formula validated against in-game captures on California, Sumner, Manfred von Richthofen, Dante Alighieri (exact) and within +/-17% on the remaining verified ships.
292
Maximum AA range
ƒLongest-reaching aura across AA-only + dual-purpose auras.
4.5 km
37 mm Flakzwilling 308×2 37mm
20 mm Flak 3812×1 20mm
20 mm Flakvierling 388×4 20mm
105 mm L/65 Dop. L. C/37 (DP)8×2 105mm
Far aura
DPS
ƒIncludes 50 continuous AA damage from dual-purpose secondaries firing as AA in this range band.
50
Range4.5 km
Medium aura
DPS11
Range3.5 km
Total DPS in Aura
ƒFar 50 + Medium 11 = 61
61
Near aura
DPS54
Range2 km
Total DPS in Aura
ƒFar 50 + Medium 11 + Near 54 = 115
115
S
Secondary Battery
Mounts14
Firing range6.0 km
Shell Grouping (σ)1
Secondary dispersion type
ƒMax dispersion = range (km) × 57 + 30. Each dispersion type sets its own slope; this is not a percentage applied to a standard baseline.
Standard
Max secondary dispersion @ 6 km
ƒ6 km × 57 + 30 = 372 m.
372 m
105 mm L/65 Dop. L. C/37 (×8)
Caliber105 mm
Reload time3.35 s
HE Damage1,200
Muzzle Velocity900 m/s
Fire Chance5%
Armor Pen20 mm
Min Ricochet91°
Max Ricochet60°
Show 2 more gun families
150 mm L/55 SK C/28 (×4)
Caliber150 mm
Reload time7.5 s
HE Damage1,700
Muzzle Velocity875 m/s
Fire Chance8%
Armor Pen38 mm
Min Ricochet91°
Max Ricochet60°
150 mm L/55 SK C/28 (×2)
Caliber150 mm
Reload time7.5 s
HE Damage1,700
Muzzle Velocity875 m/s
Fire Chance8%
Armor Pen38 mm
Min Ricochet91°
Max Ricochet60°
Maneuverability
Engine moduleEngine: 163,026 hp
Engine power163,026 hp
Maximum speed28.5 kt
Turning circle radius850 m
Engine power multiplier speed threshold7 kt
Traverse-to-turn ratio5.1× slow
Concealment
Detectability by sea15.44 km
Detectability by air12.35 km
Smoke firing penalty14.12 km
Detect after firing main guns15.44 km
Detect Fire Sea17.44 km
Detect Fire Air15.35 km
Guaranteed Detect2 km
Consumables
Damage Control Party∞ charges · 80 s reload · 15 s active
Repair Party3 charges · 80 s reload · 28 s active · 0.6% heal per second · 16.8% of max HP total heal
Choose one
Catapult Fighter4 charges · 60 s reload · 55 s active · 5.56 km patrol radius · 1 squadron size
Observation Seaplane4 charges · 200 s reload · 30 s active · 1 squadron size · +10% main-battery range bonus
Secondary Battery Booster3 charges · 160 s reload · 30 s active · +100% damage boost · +50% reload boost
Module options (1)

Stats above use the fully-upgraded modules. These are the research-tree alternatives; trade-offs are flagged.

HullUpgrade
  • Turret traverse5 → 6 °/s

See all derived stats

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Numbers the spec table cannot show directly: alpha-strike math, DPM, dispersion, AP penetration. Click the formula chip on any row to reveal how it is calculated.

Main battery formulas

Shell Grouping (σ)1.9
Shell grouping (sigma); shown in-game as Shell Grouping.
Max Horiz Disp236.4 m
Horizontal dispersion ellipse width at max range. (R/30·(idealRadius−minRadius)/idealDistance + minRadius)·30 = (17385/30·(12−2.2)/1000 + 2.2)·30 = 236.4 m
Max Vert Disp141.8 m
Vertical dispersion ellipse height at max range = max horizontal × radiusOnMax = 236.4 × 0.6 = 141.8 m
Med Horiz Disp76.9 m
50%-hit horizontal radius = max horizontal × GetHalfHitsRatio(σ) = 236.4 × 0.325 (σ=1.9) = 76.9 m
Med Vert Disp46.2 m
50%-hit vertical radius = max vertical × GetHalfHitsRatio(σ) = 141.8 × 0.326 (σ=1.9) = 46.2 m
AP Pen Close729.4 mm
Canonical community AP formula (jcw780/wows_shell), evaluated at muzzle velocity: 1e-7 × Krupp × mass^0.69 × caliber_m^-1.07 × v0^1.38 = 1e-7 × 2450 × 800^0.69 × 0.38^-1.07 × 820^1.38 = 729.4 mm. Matches the in-game spec card.
AP Pen Far387.9 mm
Same formula at the ship's max firing range (21.7 km), where the shell has slowed to 518.9 m/s: 1e-7 × 2450 × 800^0.69 × 0.38^-1.07 × 518.9^1.38 = 387.9 mm.
HE penetration95 mm
95 mm ≈ 380 mm caliber / 4 (improved HE penetration: German BBs, Yamato-class, and a handful of others).
Improved HE PenYes
This ship's HE shells use a 1/4 (~0.25) caliber-to-pen ratio instead of the standard 1/6 (~0.167) - 0.249 in this case. Lets HE pen ~95mm armor instead of ~63mm. Hits every German cruiser (150mm CL, 203mm CA) and BB (350mm+), British heavy cruisers / Lion / Nelson, a handful of other premiums.
AP overmatch26 mm
floor(380 mm caliber / 14.3) = 26 mm (AP auto-penetrates plating this thick or less).
AP AOE Radius120
AP shell over-penetration splash radius; scales with shell mass. Wickes 102mm = 3, standard 152mm CL ~ 20, Iowa 406mm ~ 270, Yamato 460mm = 400, Incomparable 650mm = 550 (max). Larger value = bigger splash damage area when AP over-pens.
Broadside guns used for alpha8
All 8 barrels bear on the broadside.
Turret turn time36 s
180 degrees / 5 deg/s traverse speed = 36 s.
HE full-salvo alpha35,200
4,400 HE damage x 8 broadside guns = 35,200.
AP full-salvo alpha92,800
11,600 AP damage x 8 broadside guns = 92,800.
Base HE DPM88,000
35,200 HE full-salvo alpha x 60 / 24 s base reload = 88,000.
Base AP DPM232,000
92,800 AP full-salvo alpha x 60 / 24 s base reload = 232,000.
Installed HE DPM97,778
35,200 HE full-salvo alpha x 60 / 21.6 s installed reload (Main Battery Mod. 3 = -10%) = 97,778.
Installed AP DPM257,778
92,800 AP full-salvo alpha x 60 / 21.6 s installed reload (Main Battery Mod. 3 = -10%) = 257,778.
Base shells/min20
8 broadside guns x 60 / 24 s base reload = 20.
Installed shells/min22.2
8 broadside guns x 60 / 21.6 s installed Artillery reload = 22.2.
Base fires/min6.8
8 HE shells x 60 / 24 s reload x 34% fire chance = 6.8.
Installed fires/min7.56
8 HE shells x 60 / 21.6 s installed reload x 34% fire chance = 7.56.

Torpedoes

Torpedo detectability1.3 km
Estimated torpedo reaction time7.8 s
detectability / (speed kt x 2.6 community game-speed factor).
Torpedo speed64 kt
Travel time to max range36.1 s
range / (speed kt x 2.6 community game-speed factor).
Tube count8
2 launchers x 4 tubes.
Per-side salvo4 torpedoes
tube count / 2 (symmetric port/starboard launcher layout; common on cruisers and battleships with deck torpedoes).
Full-salvo damage101,600
tube count x per-torpedo simulated damage (all torpedoes hitting).
Per-side salvo damage50,800
per-side salvo x per-torpedo simulated damage.

AA defense

Close-range AA DPS292
Sum across every AA aura on this ship of (aura.continuous_damage x 3.5 x aura.hit_probability). Here: (11×3.5×0.75) + (54×3.5×0.7) + (50×3.5×0.75) = 292. Covers AA-only mounts plus dual-purpose secondaries (Bismarck 105mm, USN 5"/38 cruiser secondaries) and dual-purpose main batteries (Sumner-class 5"/38, Akizuki-line 100mm). Formula validated against in-game captures on California, Sumner, Manfred von Richthofen, Dante Alighieri (exact) and within +/-17% on the remaining verified ships.
Maximum AA range4.5 km
Longest-reaching aura across AA-only + dual-purpose auras.
AA threat index956
SUM over AA auras of (aura DPS x aura range km). A plane crossing the AA bubble is exposed to each aura for a time proportional to that aura's range, so long-reach DPS is worth more than the same DPS in a short bubble. Units: DPS*km; used to rank overall AA threat across the cohort.
Near aura range2 km

Secondary battery dispersion

Secondary dispersion typeStandard
Max dispersion = range (km) × 57 + 30. Each dispersion type sets its own slope; this is not a percentage applied to a standard baseline.
Max secondary dispersion @ 6 km372 m
6 km × 57 + 30 = 372 m.

Secondary battery firepower

Secondary DPM (per side)253,540
Sum across all secondary families of (per-side barrels × 60 / reload_s × alpha), where per-side barrels = mounts × barrels-per-mount / 2 (the guns that bear on one broadside target). Per-family: 8×2 105 mm (8/side) × 60/3.35 × 1200 = 171,940 + 4×2 150 mm (4/side) × 60/7.5 × 1700 = 54,400 + 2×2 150 mm (2/side) × 60/7.5 × 1700 = 27,200. Assumes every shell hits (real hit rate is lower; the Brawl matchup tool on the Compare page folds in dispersion + target armor).
Max HE alpha1700
Maximum HE damage per shell across secondary HE families. Best on this ship: 1700 from the 150 mm family.
Max HE fire chance8%
Maximum per-shell fire chance across secondary HE families (before target fire resistance is applied). Best on this ship: 8% from the 150 mm family.
Max HE pen38 mm
Maximum HE armor penetration across secondary HE families (caliber × 1/6 for most nations; 1/4 for German/UK BBs). Shells whose pen falls under a plate's armor thickness shatter for 0 hull damage though fire chance still applies. Best on this ship: 38 mm from the 150 mm family.

Armor

Hull HP 72,500, distributed across 5 hull zones, each with its own plate thicknesses, saturation cap, and pen thresholds. HP caps are the exact in-game values, not estimated.

Section Plates HP cap Threats Tactic
Bow32 mm primary (range 20–60 mm)2,200 (3% of HP)
Overmatched by 460mm+ (Aki, Musashi)Angle bounces 410mm32 mm: HE pens from 203mm+
Bow-tank fits behind this exterior plate. Saturation is FAST here; the cap is often only a few thousand HP.
Hull (midship)19 mm primary (range 19–340 mm)54,400 (75% of HP)
Overmatched by 283mm+ (Scharnhorst, Scharnhorst '43)Angle bounces 203mm19 mm: HE pens from 127mm+
Largest HP pool. Citadel sits behind these plates; thinner deck and side plating absorb the rest.
Stern32 mm primary (range 32–110 mm)1,500 (2% of HP)
Overmatched by 460mm+ (Aki, Musashi)Angle bounces 410mm32 mm: HE pens from 203mm+
Mirror of bow. Same fast saturation.
Citadel340 mm primary (range 25–340 mm)≈ 165,500 (effectively no cap)
Citadel pen ×0.15 damageOver-pen: ×0.10 damage
Effectively no cap; citadel pool sits at ~165k HP on every ship. Damage is gated by pen/over-pen multipliers instead (×0.15 direct pen, ×0.10 over-pen).
Superstructure50 mm primary (range 50–350 mm)5,000 (7% of HP)
Any HE ≥16 mm pens at full damageDamage multiplier ×0.6
Any HE ≥16 mm pens at full damage. HE-spam target, and the section saturates fast (often only a few thousand HP).
Turret (module, per magazine)separate HP pool, does not drain ship HP34,700 magazine HPMagazine detonation1–30% chance · below ~75% HPPer-turret powder-magazine HP. Detonation chance scales from 1% (no mag damage) to 30% (full mag damage); this range is the in-game value. Detonation can't roll while the ship is above ~75% HP (the standard detonation-protection threshold, not a per-ship stat). Smaller magazines saturate to the 30% ceiling faster.
Secondary mount (150 mm mount)separate HP pool, does not drain ship HP800 per-mount HPDestroyed at 0 HPPer-mount HP for the heaviest secondary on this ship. A mount destroyed at 0 HP is out for the rest of the battle; DCP does not repair destroyed mounts. Smaller (lighter-caliber) secondaries typically share the same HP value.
AA mount (37 mm mount)separate HP pool, does not drain ship HP200 per-mount HPDestroyed at 0 HPPer-mount HP for the heaviest AA on this ship. An AA mount destroyed at 0 HP stops shooting down planes for the rest of the battle; DCP does not repair destroyed mounts. HE shells specifically target AA mounts since the small-caliber HP pool falls fast.
Rudder (module)separate HP pool, does not drain ship HP21,800 module HPIncapacitated at 0 HPWhen module HP reaches 0 the rudder locks at its current angle until DCP repairs it. Repair via Damage Control Party.

Saturation cap = HP a section can absorb before further damage to it is reduced (the "bow-tank" effect). Citadel pool is ~165k on every ship (effectively no cap); damage is gated by pen/over-pen multipliers instead. Superstructure saturates fast but HE always pens regardless of the plate thickness. Rudder (and other module HPs) are a separate pool from ship HP: damaging a module doesn't drain ship HP. Incapacitated modules like the rudder and engine are restored by DCP, but secondary and AA mounts destroyed at 0 HP stay out for the rest of the battle.

Shell ballistics chart

AP penetration, impact velocity, flight time and impact angle vs range. Click to load the interactive chart.

Balance History

Balance updates affecting Tirpitz. Cards are condensed; use each source link for full context.

Nerf ×1Buff ×9Main Battery ×6
2024-06-27

Ministry of Balance: Aerial Adjustments

  • The original campaign battleship, Tirpitz, is getting improved along with her black fleet variant. She's getting improvements to various parameters including main battery accuracy and secondary battery range.
  • Main battery shell grouping increased by 2.5% (from 1.9 to 1.95 sigma).
  • Main battery reload time reduced from 25 to 24 seconds.
  • Secondary battery base firing range increased from 5.5 to 6.0 km.
  • Ship speed increased from 30.5 to 31 kts.
  • Ship HP pool increased from 69,300 to 72,500.
  • Hit location HP increased proportionally.
  • Enhanced Secondary Targeting cooldown time reduction decreased from a maximum of 35% to a maximum of 30%.
  • Special effect improvements to secondary battery dispersion, reload time, and main battery reload time while the Enhanced Secondary Targeting consumable is active reduced from 10 to 8%.
Read the full official post
2021-08-26

September update: the Redinforcements

  • Shell grouping increased by 6%, torpedo tubes armor against HE shells increased.
Read the full official post

Historical context

The real Tirpitz that gave this ship her name. Facts cross-checked against the linked Wikipedia article.

ClassBismarck-class battleship (sister ship of Bismarck)
OperatorKriegsmarine (Germany)
Era1941–1944
WarsWorld War II
BuilderKriegsmarinewerft, Wilhelmshaven
Launched1 April 1939
Commissioned25 February 1941
DeploymentsFew sorties; spent most of her career as a 'fleet in being' in Norwegian fjords, tying down Allied capital ships by her presence alone.

Notable engagements

  • Operation Source (September 1943) — Damaged by Royal Navy X-craft midget submarines in Kåfjord, Norway.
  • Operation Tungsten through Operation Catechism (April–November 1944) — Subjected to repeated Fleet Air Arm and RAF strikes in Norwegian fjords.

Fate

Sunk 12 November 1944 by RAF 617 Squadron and 9 Squadron Lancasters using Tallboy bombs near Tromsø, Norway. Capsized within minutes of magazine detonation. Wreck scrapped in situ between 1948–1957.

Read more on Wikipedia ↗

Exteriors

Skins & permanent camouflages

Every custom exterior Tirpitz can equip, from in-game data.

Primary official WG sources

Filtered to official World of Warships: Legends pages where this ship is a focus, reward, line member, or high-context variant mention.