Delta Force Ammo and Armor Guide
In Operations, every round and every piece of armor has a level. The gap between them decides how much damage reaches the body. This guide explains the rule of thumb and lists the season's new ammo.
Season 11 Reorientation · updated October 14, 2026
How penetration works
Ammo and armor are both ranked from level 1 to 6. Players commonly describe the outcome like this; exact numbers change with patches, so confirm them in the firing range.
| Matchup | Result |
|---|---|
| Ammo level above armor level | The armor is ignored and the round deals full flesh damage. |
| Ammo level equal to armor level | Roughly a quarter of the damage reaches HP; the rest wears down the armor. |
| Armor level above ammo level | The round is stopped and only armor durability drops until the armor breaks. |
| Armor broken | Every round deals full flesh damage. |
| Uncovered areas (limbs, usually the head) | Always full flesh damage. |
- Bring ammo at least one level above the armor you expect. Level 4 beats common level 3 armor; level 5 and 6 are for the top armor tiers.
- A higher ammo tier does not mean more damage. Cheaper rounds can deal more to unarmored targets but cannot get through better armor.
- Penetration also drops with distance, so a round that goes through a vest up close can fail at range.
- The weapon sets the damage ceiling. Ammo adjusts penetration and damage on top of it.
New ammo in Season 11
| Ammo | Penetration | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| .45 ACP Super (permanent) | Level 5 | Armor piercing, 0.85x damage. |
| 4.6x30mm CT (season limited) | Level 0 | 1.85x limb damage, 15% slower fire rate when loaded. Cannot be stored in a Safe Box. |
| 4.6x30mm FMJ ST (season limited) | Level 4 | 1.25x headshot and chest damage, 0.9x abdomen and limb damage. |
| 4.6x30mm AP ST (season limited) | Level 5 | Same damage multipliers as FMJ ST. |
| 12 Gauge Dart (season limited) | Level 3 | 0.85x damage, applies lacerating trauma that increases damage taken by fast-moving targets. |
October 9 ammo balance
| Ammo | Penetration | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| 5.7x28mm HT+ | Level 4 | 1.2 base damage multiplier, 0.2 armor damage multiplier, blunt damage rises as the target's armor level drops. |
| 5.7x28mm HT | Level 3 | Same multipliers as HT+. |
| 7.62x51mm LS | Level 5 | 40% higher muzzle velocity and 8% more vertical recoil. Headshots cause Ear Ringing, which reduces the target's hearing range for 10 seconds. |
A season-exclusive ammo event runs October 10 to 16. The ammo can be bought at the Auction House or found with a low chance in Operations Ammo Crates.
FAQ
What ammo level do I need against level 4 armor?
Level 5 ammo ignores level 4 armor. Level 4 ammo only breaks even and deals about a quarter of its damage to HP while wearing the armor down.
Does higher level ammo deal more damage?
Not always. Higher levels penetrate better, but lower levels can deal more damage to unarmored targets. The weapon itself sets the damage ceiling.
Can I store season ammo in a Safe Box?
Not all of it. The 4.6x30mm CT limb-damage ammo cannot be stored in a Safe Box.