How to play Cleveland

[templar627]

I've been playing the Cleveland for a bit. Enough to get the Pensacola and everywhere I look I see tons of people complaining about the pensacola while wishing it was more like the Cleveland, but honestly I kinda hate the Cleveland, and love the Pensacola.

 

I'm looking on some tips on how to play the Cleveland well, because it's the one ship in the US cruiser line where I just feel like I almost never make a good impact and generally have some pretty terrible games. 

[212thAttackBattalion]

the Cleveland i feel is very good at taking on DD's and CA's. it has a lot of guns that fire quickly so can pour on the fire setting fires and incapacitating modules and whittling down hp on DD's within about 8-10km. I personally run an AA build so i keep within a couple km of the BBs or CV and unleash defensive fire if any planes shape up for an attack. The Cleveland isn't what I'd take against a BB unless it is looking the other way. keep well angled, only show enough side to fire all your guns then turn to face them immediately, WASD is your best friend

[geser98]

As compared to Pensacola Cleveland has less chance of getting deleted in one salvo or two thanks to smaller citadel area, so it's a bit more forgiving, especially against CA or other CLs. They will struggle to hit the citadel. But that's not to say that you have to sail out in the open under fire.

[Personator]

• Hunt destroyers
• Hunt cruisers
• Use AP on broadside cruisers for maximum kek
• Avoid fighting BBs out in the open
• Bring Hydro to better hunt destroyers OR Bring Def Fire to counter CVs
• Always bring prem consumables for maximum efficiency

 

That's all I can offer

 

 

 

 

Damnit, stop eating my post, forum :I

[Ivlerlin]

I've found that a Cleveland with SBM2 + ATF while rocking DF makes for a decent 'all rounder' when it comes to hunting DDs and gaping TBs and DBs. 

 

Sure AAM2 is stronger strictly in the AA role. And Hydro is Better in the anti-DD role. But you can easily swap -or- stack your options. If you're maximizing your specialist role. 

 

The only thing to be moderately afraid of is BB's. But that's more in the short term engagements. In the long haul Cleveland with its 3x4 guns can dish out a fair deal against a BB; but if you can provide cover for friendly BBs from aircraft and destroyers, your BBs are relatively safe to take away the attention of the enemy BBs. 

[Teephud]

I have just started replaying my Cleveland, after giving it a rest for a while.  I stopped playing it because I've been hearing such dismal things about the 'Cola, and the rest of the American cruiser line.  It's a shame that CV play is not so popular, because AA is one of the specialties of American cruisers.  Still the Cleveland is one of my favorites to play.  I recently did 93k in it which is my second highest damage.  Not bad for a noob.  I think the key is to really make use of islands, since the shell arcs are so high.  And switch ammo a lot, rain HE on BB's and wreck  cruiser's broadsides with AP.  

 

I'm cautiously looking forward to trying the 'Cola, and will move this crew on.  I have my old Wyoming crew which will carry on in the Cleveland.  I put Segal in the NY, though honestly I'm already getting sick of his voice...  

[SweetRollThief]

 

If you are planning on grinding to the Des Moines dont stop playing Cleveland. Positioning is the most important and most difficult aspect of these ships.

Find spots on each map where you can fire over terrain but the enemy cant return fire.

 

Against CVs try to find a central location near an objective. 

 

Watch those enemy BB turrets, if they are aiming your direction go dark and reposition.

 

Hope some of that helps. Cleveland and DM are tricky to play so dont be to hard on yourself. 

[Wyatt_DERP85]

You have high arcs - they may not be high enough to shoot over every Island like the Atlanta but they can exploit some terrain. It does take a while to get used to. As far as armor goes, you can withstand cruisers fairly well if you are well angled. Your dpm is high - lighting battleships on fire, blowing up destroyers with HE and ripping apart broadside cruisers with AP are all fairly easy. Just don't take a battleship one on one, you will die really quickly.

[thunderball2]

When you have Cleveland V Cleveland battles.

Do you use HE or AP rounds?

[SweetRollThief]

When you have Cleveland V Cleveland battles.

Do you use HE or AP rounds?

 

Both. AP requires more precise placement so it depends on your aim and on range. At longer ranges landing good AP salvos will be tough, but as the distance decreases AP will do big damage. If angled aim for superstructure.

 

Avoid the temptation of turning to get rear turrets on target. Stay angled and just use front turrets and punish opponents that give you thier side

 

 

[thunderball2]

 

If you are planning on grinding to the Des Moines dont stop playing Cleveland. Positioning is the most important and most difficult aspect of these ships.

Find spots on each map where you can fire over terrain but the enemy cant return fire.

 

Against CVs try to find a central location near an objective.

 

Watch those enemy BB turrets, if they are aiming your direction go dark and reposition.

 

Hope some of that helps. Cleveland and DM are tricky to play so dont be to hard on yourself.

 

What does DM stand fro??

[templar627]

Des Moines, the tier X american cruiser.

[Stampz]

I play my Cleveland like an oversized Benson.

 

I lob shells over islands. 

Engage BBs when they're not looking at me.  When BBs are looking at me, I rain shells from as far away as possible or try to disappear from view.

Set everything on fire when possible.  Switch to AP when any cruisers get within 7km of me while flashing their broadsides.

[donaldEpott]

The only problem with the Cleveland is the arc of the shells. its a great close in Cruiser kinda one of those that gets into the trenches and fights. at close range those guns can be deadly but at long range they are only good at setting slow dumb Battleships on fire.

[RedVonDyke]

The only problem with the Cleveland is the arc of the shells. its a great close in Cruiser kinda one of those that gets into the trenches and fights. at close range those guns can be deadly but at long range they are only good at setting slow dumb Battleships on fire.

Agreed found this out in the first few matches with it. Great for ripping cruisers apart up close but at distance little harder to manage.

[JinghisKhan]

Love the Cleveland, but she's not a great 'solo' ship to go around hunting in like the Aoba or the Myoko. Use her to backstop your own destroyers, hunt other DDs, or provide HE Spam against your opponents in a line of battle while your battleships suck up incoming fire. Demolition Expert helps light even more fires and her speed allows her to outrun most BBs around her tier.