HELP with BB's and Cruisers

[_JohnWick_]

If you guys check my stats... I am a noob (500 games) and you will also see that I only play dd's.

I was getting bored of them so I'm trying BB's and Cruisers.. AND I SUCK SO BAD AT THEM.

 

I watch all the videos and do what ppl suggest doing, but I can almost never citadel anything even tho they are broad side, and I get smashed all the time.

I get focused by CV's and DD's.... I can never avoid torps.

 

I don't know what I'm doing wrong, but it's pretty frustrating.  Right now i'm at tier 4 with IJN and USN BB's and tier 5 with IJN cruiser line.

 

 

 

 

[saagri]

If you guys check my stats... I am a noob (500 games) and you will also see that I only play dd's.

I was getting bored of them so I'm trying BB's and Cruisers.. AND I SUCK SO BAD AT THEM.

 

I watch all the videos and do what ppl suggest doing, but I can almost never citadel anything even tho they are broad side, and I get smashed all the time.

I get focused by CV's and DD's.... I can never avoid torps.

 

I don't know what I'm doing wrong, but it's pretty frustrating.  Right now i'm at tier 4 with IJN and USN BB's and tier 5 with IJN cruiser line.

 

 

 

 

 

Low tier BB's in my experience have severe accuracy problems so I can understand your frustration. The IJN BB line is pretty solid, I would suggest focusing that line. According to stats you are above average so that's something.

 

Without knowing specifics I am not sure what kind of advice to give you but generally with cruisers you want to be close enough to the DD's to support them but far enough that you disengage from the fight. Never show broadside but also know when to turn.

 

For a Battleship you must be close enough to take damage for your cruisers and be with the other battleships so the enemy team doesn't automatically focus you down. You will need to get the hang of angling your ship to deflect shots and pre-turn your turrets so they are always firing and never facing the wrong side of the ship. A good Battleship captain will be able to predict what will happen and act before critical events happen such as having all your guns available to shoot a cruiser that is about to round an island or turning away from a group of battleships on your flank. 

 

I am bad at dodging torpedoes myself but the general strategy is to change course every 30 seconds or so, especially when a DD has been spotted nearby. Stay a fair distance around islands as well, DD's love to hang around them. 

[Spyde]

Play German BB's to learn.    They are hard to Citadel and easier to survive in.

 

 

Then watch some video's on how to shoot etc.

 

 

 

Also.. Never give the side of your ship to the enemy + Never drive in a straight line as DD's will torp you easy.

 

 

[Aduial]

If you want to citadel ships, you need to aim a bit lower than you would usually, just right at the waterline. 

[Wowzery]

One thing I'm getting is you've played a lot of games with DDs.  That means you're probably used to rushing in first, and setting up and ambush or something.  BBs plays almost opposite of that style.  Many times upon loading in I wait a few seconds to see where my team is gong (unless they actually say where).  Next I move towards the enemy, but don't yolo into some place.  A BB is hard to turn so you must be aware of where you are going at all times.  A 180 turn must be planned, unlike a DD.  Use the time between shots to free look around you (this keeps your guns pointed at the enemy).  Use the mini map, be aware of incoming planes, especially torp planes.  When spotted start turning towards them if you think they are headed towards you.

Against other BBs, angle, angle, angle.

Against DDs, well, in lower tier its a bit more difficult.  But know the enemy torp ranges and general detection range.  This gives you a slight advantage even without knowing where the enemy is.  Also, it is wise to never sail in a straight line without at least changing speed or course directions.  (Not saying you have to make a 180 turn, but even a slight turn can throw off torps and gunnery.

As for invisfiring DDs, you can use islands to your advantage here as well.  Or, if you become good enough, you can track DDs by how they fire and estimate their position.  Killed a few DDs that way (and boy, are those DD captains the saltiest SOB in the game).

[sabertooth1]

Like every one else says, angle, angle, angle, plus the rest of what Wowzery said for BB's. I play mainly BB's but am probably just average with them. I would recommend you run the US BB line to start. You will initially despise them, they are big, cumbersome and slow, but they have really good armor. They can be citideled easier than the Germans but not as easy as the IJN ones. Basically they are good for teaching you how to run a BB.I ran this line all the way to T8 then switched to the Germans and at least for a while the lessons I learned in the US ones made me a beast in the German ones, I am currently at T5 in the German line.

[Wowzery]

One more thing I'll add is RNG.  Don't be frustrated by it, especially coming from a DD and CA where if you fire off a broadside of 12 you get about 6 hits.  In a BB with a broadside of 12, getting 3 hits is good.  Big difference is in a BB you can get major damage on an enemy with just 1 hit.  Be patient and don't let it get you down.  If you struggle go to coop and really watch where you aim and where your shots go.  This will help in random battles as you start to understand shooting.

[Cobraclutch]

Play USN BB's. 

 

They instill good traits that will translate into better performances across CA/CL's and BB's. They may not be as strong as other BB lines, but they smash mouth you into understanding BB mechanics without having a crutch. 

 

 

KM BB's are a good bet as well, but the turtle back armor can give you a false sense of security especially going from KM BB to USN BB. 

[KaptainKaybe]

Check out iChase's Captain's Academy series on Youtube. They are invaluable for newer players and many people swear by them. The How to Aim video is especially informative.

 

[GalgoNoir]

If you guys check my stats... I am a noob (500 games) and you will also see that I only play dd's.

I was getting bored of them so I'm trying BB's and Cruisers.. AND I SUCK SO BAD AT THEM.

 

I watch all the videos and do what ppl suggest doing, but I can almost never citadel anything even tho they are broad side, and I get smashed all the time.

I get focused by CV's and DD's.... I can never avoid torps.

 

I don't know what I'm doing wrong, but it's pretty frustrating.  Right now i'm at tier 4 with IJN and USN BB's and tier 5 with IJN cruiser line.

 

 

 

 

 

Practice and then practice some more. I'll never say I am a great BB driver but I am competent enough in them. While the idea of learning every class seems daunting it will do everything to help your game advance. The more you play a class the better you'll get and understand and that will in the end help you play your chosen class all the more.