Sims and AP

[Thomasis2]

I've been using my sims now for the past few months and have quite good results with her.  Most of this time I have been using HE about 95% of the time with the exception being broadside cruisers at close range.  By biggest question is this, would switching to AP on battleships during close quarters battle be better once a couple fires have been started with my HE rounds.  Do others have good damage success against BB superstuctures once they have been lit up with fire?  I'm trying to increase my damage output, right now I'm averaging about 39k per game with about 500 games played in this ship but I know she is capable of more.  I'm sure torp aiming improvement will help with this as well, and I have switched between the short range/higher damage vs the long range/anemic damage torps and prefer the longer range.  I'm really just looking to improve damage output, and any other ideas would be greatly appreciated.  No need to be shy, I take criticism quite well, so if you see something in my sims stats that I don't, feel free to throw your opinions out there.

 

Thanks in advance guys/gals!

[stockmankrause]

I've been using my sims now for the past few months and have quite good results with her.  Most of this time I have been using HE about 95% of the time with the exception being broadside cruisers at close range.  By biggest question is this, would switching to AP on battleships during close quarters battle be better once a couple fires have been started with my HE rounds.  Do others have good damage success against BB superstuctures once they have been lit up with fire?  I'm trying to increase my damage output, right now I'm averaging about 39k per game with about 500 games played in this ship but I know she is capable of more.  I'm sure torp aiming improvement will help with this as well, and I have switched between the short range/higher damage vs the long range/anemic damage torps and prefer the longer range.  I'm really just looking to improve damage output, and any other ideas would be greatly appreciated.  No need to be shy, I take criticism quite well, so if you see something in my sims stats that I don't, feel free to throw your opinions out there.

 

Thanks in advance guys/gals!

 

My sims fights mostly in tier 9 and as such shell type and torp type does not matter at all as death comes upon being spotted in seconds.

[saagri]

When I set a few fires on a ship's midsection I will switch to AP. This is because AP as slightly better damage values and theoretically have better dps. 

[Thomasis2]

 

My sims fights mostly in tier 9 and as such shell type and torp type does not matter at all as death comes upon being spotted in seconds.

 

I actually look forward to being uptiered in my sims because of the increase in XP when damaging those tiers.  I do equip my captain with Concealment Expert, which lowers my detectability down to a respectable 6.6km. Also, something I always do is take note in the player line up before the battle starts and remember

1. Which ships have radar/sonar

2. Which DD's have a lower detection range than I do.

 

This helps tremendously when deciding what my initial game play is going to be.  I also usually try to bribe the CL's/BB's by promising a smoke screen for them in front of whatever cap I'm heading to, that way I am well covered and the CL/BB's are ensured I won't leave them hanging.  This usually works great and even if I'm detected early while trying to cap, I have backup that's not far behind to help.

 

edited for spelling

[Thomasis2]

When I set a few fires on a ship's midsection I will switch to AP. This is because AP as slightly better damage values and theoretically have better dps. 

 

Saagri, when you say you switch over to AP after fires, what ranges do you feel good about firing AP out to?  Do you wait for broadside or do you switch immediately to AP regardless once your fires have been started?

[saagri]

 

Saagri, when you say you switch over to AP after fires, what ranges do you feel good about firing AP out to?  Do you wait for broadside or do you switch immediately to AP regardless once your fires have been started?

 

If broadside, I will fire at any range. If angled I would probably continue with HE and aim for the front or back of the ship and get a fire. Normally I aim for superstructure, but if the range is say 8km or really close I will aim for the upperbelt because I can more consistently get hits. But the AP on USN DD's isn't that much better, only 17% more damage. It only really shines on broadside targets because you can simply get more penetrating hits in. 

 

Of course if I see something isn't working I will switch immediately. 

 

AP on Russian DD's is amazing though. +50% damage per shell. A lot of times I am tempted to use it even on angled targets after I set a fire or two. 

[Thomasis2]

Thanks Saagri, I really appreciate your time and answers.  I feel like I'm hitting a road block, and most of that has to do with me more than the ship (I noticed your numbers and you definitely know how to play this ship). I'm just trying to figure out what I might be doing wrong or if my cpt. skills might be working against me(BFT, LS,TAE,SI,DE,CE).  I've pretty much come to the conclusion that I need to be a bit less aggressive while optimizing my ammo selection more efficiently.  Torps I rarely hit as well but that will take more time to address, just looking to get the most bang out of her and increase my damage to enemy to help the team out as much as possible.

 

Again, thanks man!

[Estimated_Prophet]

500 games in a single destroyer...

 

Definitely more dedicated than me to a single ship and class, for only having 2500-ish games. I'm about 5500 randoms in and the most I have for any single ship is just shy of 250 in Bogue.

[stockmankrause]

Ok just been in a battle with my sims.

Was doing ok got the cap as per first in etc battle progressed as usual.

Battle went on a dd was taking my cap so i fired torps at him while sailing past cap and bumped into a emerald close up n personal.

I smoked and stopped but just had enough time to fire a salvo of ap before death and got 4 citadels into the emerald in under 1 second then died.

[saagri]

Thanks Saagri, I really appreciate your time and answers.  I feel like I'm hitting a road block, and most of that has to do with me more than the ship (I noticed your numbers and you definitely know how to play this ship). I'm just trying to figure out what I might be doing wrong or if my cpt. skills might be working against me(BFT, LS,TAE,SI,DE,CE).  I've pretty much come to the conclusion that I need to be a bit less aggressive while optimizing my ammo selection more efficiently.  Torps I rarely hit as well but that will take more time to address, just looking to get the most bang out of her and increase my damage to enemy to help the team out as much as possible.

 

Again, thanks man!

 

For the Sims I have formulated a general sequence of operations for the battle.

 

First, head to the nearest cap to try and grab it. If their are more gun boat DD's, get out. if there is a lone IJN DD, charge it while changing direction to sink it. If there is one enemy cruiser, especially Russian or IJN, be prepared to get out. Those things can nail you easily. If there is a radar equipped cruiser, try to edge into the cap if you have support, otherwise GTFO.

 

You will be tempted to use smoke and there are times when you should use it. However you should not stay in smoke when there is a DD nearby. If you have to, at least angle your ship to give a small profile in the direction of enemy ships. I can't tell you how many times I have taken a torpedo or had near misses because i was in smoke.

 

I use the slow long ranged torps to torp smoke clouds and to try to zone off sections of the map. 

 

Ideally I want to find a BB, smoke up, and rain shells on it. That's where a majority of my damage comes from. And if it gets too close you need to start moving or charge at it and torp it. One trick for using smoke is to subtract the active time from the cool down time. The remaining time is what you look for on your consumable to know when your smoke is going to run out. I think it is around 1:20.

 

As far as captain skills go, I am a bit of a weirdo and went AFT and Manual AA because Sims doesn't sacrifice a gun for the AA. You don't have to go that route and I think Demolition Expert and CE is just fine. I would still get the AA range module and use defensive AA though to help with air strikes. 

[Thomasis2]

Yeah, I really got myself into a pickle early in the first few months, buying ships just because I had the xp and credits to do so, so I told myself to slow down, pick a handful (1 or 2 of each class), and really concentrate on KNOWING that ship before proceeding to the next tier. I own quite a few high tier ships, but only a couple do I have any business playing yet.  The sims just became my go to and my favorite to play as time went on, and honestly I should step up to the Benson now and play it more than I do now.  As far as my game play, I'm pretty much a carbon copy of your battle techniques, just not as refined yet I guess.  I do very well with her most times, but I still need to be more patient, and work on picking my targets better.  If I have 2 or less ships charging me while I'm in smoke, I stay and fight unless they are radar/hydro equipped and then I move out before detection when possible.  I will charge BB's if they aren't dead before detecting me in smoke and that usually works out in my favor.  I don't have the ship equipped for AA/DF as it stands now and I'm thinking about changing that up according to your suggestions.  I probably will move on to the Benson soon and improve my performance on her.

[Thomasis2]

Ok just been in a battle with my sims.

Was doing ok got the cap as per first in etc battle progressed as usual.

Battle went on a dd was taking my cap so i fired torps at him while sailing past cap and bumped into a emerald close up n personal.

I smoked and stopped but just had enough time to fire a salvo of ap before death and got 4 citadels into the emerald in under 1 second then died.

 

I usually won't torp DD's unless they smoke up first. Then I launch both salvos into the smoke and charge the smoke from the flank until I get close enough to detect, that usually means they are facing me bow or stern on and the danger or torps on me is eliminated.  4 Cits on an emerald is nice though, even if you died.

[saagri]

Yeah, I really got myself into a pickle early in the first few months, buying ships just because I had the xp and credits to do so, so I told myself to slow down, pick a handful (1 or 2 of each class), and really concentrate on KNOWING that ship before proceeding to the next tier. I own quite a few high tier ships, but only a couple do I have any business playing yet.  The sims just became my go to and my favorite to play as time went on, and honestly I should step up to the Benson now and play it more than I do now.  As far as my game play, I'm pretty much a carbon copy of your battle techniques, just not as refined yet I guess.  I do very well with her most times, but I still need to be more patient, and work on picking my targets better.  If I have 2 or less ships charging me while I'm in smoke, I stay and fight unless they are radar/hydro equipped and then I move out before detection when possible.  I will charge BB's if they aren't dead before detecting me in smoke and that usually works out in my favor.  I don't have the ship equipped for AA/DF as it stands now and I'm thinking about changing that up according to your suggestions.  I probably will move on to the Benson soon and improve my performance on her.

 

I don't really recommend an AA build, I just do it to mess with the lower tier CV's I sometimes see. But boy, when a Ranger is coming at you with 18 dive bombers, the defensive aa consumable by itself can save your bacon. Stat wise you are doing pretty good, can't complain especially considering that you manged that after a large number of games. I only played the Sims as much as I have because I was trying to up my DD game count and train a few captains along the way. 

 

Edit: As you can tell from my sig. I love to mess with CV's and I find it hilarious when I shoot down more planes in my dinky DD than our CV. Also it helps keep the team alive. I guess. 

[Thomasis2]

500 games in a single destroyer...

 

Definitely more dedicated than me to a single ship and class, for only having 2500-ish games. I'm about 5500 randoms in and the most I have for any single ship is just shy of 250 in Bogue.

 

I tried those carriers at tier IV for a bit but never really got the hang of it, another class I have no business playing.... I'm glad you like them though, I do prefer to see carriers in battles and we need more of them!

[saagri]

 

I tried those carriers at tier IV for a bit but never really got the hang of it, another class I have no business playing.... I'm glad you like them though, I do prefer to see carriers in battles and we need more of them!

 

I think you should branch out and play other ships, and more importantly, other classes. 

 

Knowing how other ships play is very beneficial and will help you grow as a player. 

[stockmankrause]

 

I usually won't torp DD's unless they smoke up first. Then I launch both salvos into the smoke and charge the smoke from the flank until I get close enough to detect, that usually means they are facing me bow or stern on and the danger or torps on me is eliminated.  4 Cits on an emerald is nice though, even if you died.

 

I had zero health left by the time of the dd and emerald and the emerald suddenly appeared in front of me lol so i was boned.

 

For the Sims I have formulated a general sequence of operations for the battle.

 

First, head to the nearest cap to try and grab it. If their are more gun boat DD's, get out. if there is a lone IJN DD, charge it while changing direction to sink it. If there is one enemy cruiser, especially Russian or IJN, be prepared to get out. Those things can nail you easily. If there is a radar equipped cruiser, try to edge into the cap if you have support, otherwise GTFO.

 

You will be tempted to use smoke and there are times when you should use it. However you should not stay in smoke when there is a DD nearby. If you have to, at least angle your ship to give a small profile in the direction of enemy ships. I can't tell you how many times I have taken a torpedo or had near misses because i was in smoke.

 

I use the slow long ranged torps to torp smoke clouds and to try to zone off sections of the map. 

 

Ideally I want to find a BB, smoke up, and rain shells on it. That's where a majority of my damage comes from. And if it gets too close you need to start moving or charge at it and torp it. One trick for using smoke is to subtract the active time from the cool down time. The remaining time is what you look for on your consumable to know when your smoke is going to run out. I think it is around 1:20.

 

As far as captain skills go, I am a bit of a weirdo and went AFT and Manual AA because Sims doesn't sacrifice a gun for the AA. You don't have to go that route and I think Demolition Expert and CE is just fine. I would still get the AA range module and use defensive AA though to help with air strikes. 

 

The sims is a plane killer you can build a amazing aa sims but you cant................. 

Why cant i use my sims for aa you ask?

 

Because the mm will refuse to give you any cv battles if you do, i know i tested the mm for weeks with and without aa build.

 

The mm is fixed and bias'd towards a aa built ship and enemy cvs and will try to give you a battle without then you are boned as a dd.

[saagri]

 

I had zero health left by the time of the dd and emerald and the emerald suddenly appeared in front of me lol so i was boned.

 

The sims is a plane killer you can build a amazing aa sims but you cant................. 

Why cant i use my sims for aa you ask?

 

Because the mm will refuse to give you any cv battles if you do, i know i tested the mm for weeks with and without aa build.

 

The mm is fixed and bias'd towards a aa built ship and enemy cvs and will try to give you a battle without then you are boned as a dd.

 

Ikr, 5 matches in a row with Sims, nothing.

First match in Kiev and 2 cv's. 

 

Best bet is to div with a CV if you really want to shoot down planes. One guy has a 11 plane kill rate cuz he always divisions. 

[dust340man]

I found the Sims to be a blast to play so far getting 9 victories in 11 battles. Small sampling but so far it's my favorite destroyer so far. I think I prefer the US and Russian gunboats over the IJN DDs cause I normally stay alive in a battle longer. I have an AA build and have AFT for my 4th Captains skill. I normally shoot down 5-7 planes without even trying/focusing on them as I'm too busy battling the enemy ships! I think most of them are spotter planes which get too close to my extended AA range. Love the 15km gun range for raining HE down on battleships that are sailing in a straight line and sitting in a smoke screen just spamming shells at all ships in range. Haven't tried AP much yet but I should to see if it is beneficial in certain situations.  Sending those 9.2km torps out as a deterrent does work. Hey they do run into the torps almost every game!

[stockmankrause]

I found the Sims to be a blast to play so far getting 9 victories in 11 battles. Small sampling but so far it's my favorite destroyer so far. I think I prefer the US and Russian gunboats over the IJN DDs cause I normally stay alive in a battle longer. I have an AA build and have AFT for my 4th Captains skill. I normally shoot down 5-7 planes without even trying/focusing on them as I'm too busy battling the enemy ships! I think most of them are spotter planes which get too close to my extended AA range. Love the 15km gun range for raining HE down on battleships that are sailing in a straight line and sitting in a smoke screen just spamming shells at all ships in range. Haven't tried AP much yet but I should to see if it is beneficial in certain situations.  Sending those 9.2km torps out as a deterrent does work. Hey they do run into the torps almost every game!

 

Sims ap-4 citadel hits in under 1 second that ok for you?

[Vekta408]

If I use AP it'll been when I catch them perfectly broadside.  On Cruisers I'll aim at the waterline 6km or closer. Above 6km I'll aim for the upper belt or super structure. On a BB I'll always aim for the superstructure where it meets the upper belt. I can get some nice 1000 damage per salvo rolls.

[Thomasis2]

So I have been using AP a lot more on BB's after making them roman candles first of course.  It's pretty amazing how much my damage is going up per game. 55k in damage is about average, with a few 80k damage games as of late (torp hits mostly).  Yeah, after switching up to AP I am noticing great results!  Around 10k increase per battle .The two battles I have had today have netted me super unicum status for the day, I will update accordingly.

[Thomasis2]

I found the Sims to be a blast to play so far getting 9 victories in 11 battles. Small sampling but so far it's my favorite destroyer so far. I think I prefer the US and Russian gunboats over the IJN DDs cause I normally stay alive in a battle longer. I have an AA build and have AFT for my 4th Captains skill. I normally shoot down 5-7 planes without even trying/focusing on them as I'm too busy battling the enemy ships! I think most of them are spotter planes which get too close to my extended AA range. Love the 15km gun range for raining HE down on battleships that are sailing in a straight line and sitting in a smoke screen just spamming shells at all ships in range. Haven't tried AP much yet but I should to see if it is beneficial in certain situations.  Sending those 9.2km torps out as a deterrent does work. Hey they do run into the torps almost every game!

 

Yep, those slow torps have their own unique advantage. You might not hit the intended ship, but they are so slow it's not uncommon for multiple ship hits with a torp drop.  They don't do much damage on their own, but when you take into account the time it takes for them to get to target, and the amount of time you have shooting at said target with HE before they get there, chances are the enemy has used damage control already on fires which leaves them open to flooding.  I like the long range torps a lot as well!

Good luck with your new Sims!  Hope you have as much fun with her as I have.  Great tier VII DD!

[dust340man]

 

Sims ap-4 citadel hits in under 1 second that ok for you?

 

Dang that's great! I'll have to try some AP in my next battles with the Sims. Learn something new all the time here!