Best Ryujo Configuration for Ranked

[HBZK100]

As much as I hate to admit it, it seems like the AS module on the Ryujo is the way to go for Ranked battles. Is strike even worth using in Ranked?? Asking here before I mess up in ranked.

[Estimated_Prophet]

If you've got a regular ship to use instead, that is the best configuration for Ryujo.

 

Otherwise AS, because Strike will likely only work if you meet another Strike Ryujo, or any Independence, (and only then if youy can outplay his strafe.)

[FayFay731]

AS is great for spotting, however you can rarely deal damage. Even with strike, there are Clevelands everywhere in ranked so you can't really strike anyone. You could use strike and cv snipe, though it can be very difficult.

[ForgMaxtor]

1 hour ago, HBZK100 said:

As much as I hate to admit it, it seems like the AS module on the Ryujo is the way to go for Ranked battles. Is strike even worth using in Ranked?? Asking here before I mess up in ranked.

As a non-CV player, my sense so far is that AS Ryujo is a very good choice for Ranked this season, with the caveat that it relies upon the rest of the team being at least average players, and knowing how to leverage the air superiority and spotting info the AS CV provides.  I've had one match in already this season where we had a 1-1-1 Independence vs. an enemy AS Ryujo.  Ryujo was able to quickly shut down the Indy and then spend the rest of the match bird-dogging our DDs so we couldn't get anywhere near the caps without getting shot up.  Other matches I've been in with or against an AS Ryujo it's been pretty effective as well, though this example was probably the most spectacular one, where the AS Ruyjo outright carried.

My SWAG is that  Ryujo will become increasingly stronger at higher ranks where average player quality is better.  At lower ranks, there may be times it struggles because it can be hard to carry a potato team when you can't cause much damage yourself.  No matter how much you spam the priority target signal, there's no way to force your teammates to shoot that DD you're plane-spotting.

[HazeGrayUnderway]

On 7/3/2017 at 9:44 AM, HBZK100 said:

As much as I hate to admit it, it seems like the AS module on the Ryujo is the way to go for Ranked battles. Is strike even worth using in Ranked?? Asking here before I mess up in ranked.

 

Just to give you an idea of what I've been seeing:

 

Independence is the ship I have used most in Ranked so far.  I played my last battle with her in Stock 1/1/1 but of my 7 ranked matches with her, 6 were in AS 2/0/1 configuration.  AS Ryujo, Stock & AS Independence is all I encounter.  The last match I did with Stock I crushed a Strike Ryujo as she couldn't deal with my fighter unit.  I have yet to have a Strike Independence as an opponent, I haven't even seen them when playing other regular surface ships.

 

2-week stats wise, Ryujo is the most played CV in ranked with 4,561 battles to Independence's 2,833.  Of the Ryujo I have encountered with my Independence, AS is the most played one.  A Strike Ryujo will struggle against that if skill is equal.

 

But understand that if you go AS your damage output is going to tank, severely.  Both Indy and Ryujo damage output plummets in AS though RJ should still put out more because Indy only has 1 DB unit in AS.  Personally, I have 7 battles with AS Independence with an 85% WR but my Damage Avg is TERRIBLE with 11k only.  If you do AS with a Tier VI CV, you are going to have to find ways to influence the battle.

- Cover your DDs and BBs, the DDs especially at the start and pay attention and help your DDs when the opposing CV is trying to nuke them, permaspot them.  A permaspotted DD is completely on the defensive as it literally cannot do anything and their best weapons, torps, are spotted.

 

Now, I'm not saying Strike Ryujo isn't feasible but with the numerous AS CVs I see, you got your work cut out for you.  This is very different from Randoms.

[The_Horned_King]

Speaking as an Independence driver, I much prefer to run into strike Ryujo in ranked so far. AS Ryujo means I can't really do much unless the other CV driver is an idiot, while it's going to be hard for me to prevent the Ryujo getting in some damage with torps and a lot more spotting. 

[HazeGrayUnderway]

Just realize if you elect to go AS you don't have the firepower to compensate for potato teammates.  I literally get Clear Skies every time I play AS Independence but what's been happening lately is my teams are so awful that they fail to take advantage of my air cover, fail to take advantage of me wiping away enemy aircraft (Clear Skies every match), fail to take advantage of me permaspotting DDs, fail to take advantage of me spotting for the team.

 

Even better than all this, is when my teammates complain that I am ***NOT*** providing air cover despite me wiping away bomber squadrons away from them.

[Palladia]

18 hours ago, HazeGrayUnderway said:

Just realize if you elect to go AS you don't have the firepower to compensate for potato teammates.  I literally get Clear Skies every time I play AS Independence but what's been happening lately is my teams are so awful that they fail to take advantage of my air cover, fail to take advantage of me wiping away enemy aircraft (Clear Skies every match), fail to take advantage of me permaspotting DDs, fail to take advantage of me spotting for the team.

 

Even better than all this, is when my teammates complain that I am ***NOT*** providing air cover despite me wiping away bomber squadrons away from them.

This is always the struggle,  though.  Running AS Saipan ((And dealing pretty good damage with those bombers)) has taught me this.  It doesn't matter how well you defend your team if your team can't defeat the enemy.  Its why I tend to shy away from AS loadouts.