Carriers, Worth playing?

[Nighteyez]

Hello fellow captains,

I mentioned in a previous post that my goal was to work my way up the American carrier line to get to the USS Midway. And even though I have read on the forums, and heard on YouTube that the American carriers suck, I was still determined to try. Now however, I am hearing that nobody plays carriers at the top tier levels. So, I am now wondering if I should switch to another class to try and level up, or continue on with the Midway goal? I am still a relative newbie at this game, having  played a little over a week, and been playing all four classes of American ships, because when I first started playing this game, I was trying out all the classes to see which one I liked the most. Currently I am in tier 4-6 ships, as it is getting harder to level up, especially when I am leveling all four classes. LOL That is why I want to find something to concentrate on and just level that class up for now. However, I am already frustrated with the carrier game play, and getting beat by enemies who always seem to have more fighters than myself. Now, after hearing carriers are not played at the upper tiers, I am wondering if all this frustration and grinding is worth it? Any and all opinions are welcome. Thanks in advance. BTW, even though I am starting down the carrier path (I hope) my current favorite ship is the USS Omaha. I like having the aircraft and torpedoes on the same ship. I have only recently advanced to the USS Independence but like I stated before, it becomes useless very quick when all my planes are gone. If nobody plays carriers, maybe I will switch to leveling up my cruisers, although it seems they lose the torpedoes after the Omaha. :o(

 

Jim

[AphelionMarauder]

Keep learning the US Cruisers. Don't start learning carriers until you get Pensacola.

[GrimmeReaper]

It is about what you enjoy, CVs are more of a chess match, I see them in the T10 matches but not as much as people drop them after about t6 or t7 because of the disparity between the USN and IJN lines till you get to T9/T10 though now with the T8 Enterprise you are more on par with the Shokaku.   What they did at T4 and 5 taking away manual drops and strafe kind of went over board, I would have left it all out at T4, but left the Strafe Mechanic in at T5, so  players have to build a skill at T5 and at T6 you build the Manual Drop skill to along with the Strafe skill you learn at T5.  But also limit carriers to a + or - 1 tier, being in a T6 CV in a T8 match can get frustrating.  The AA at T8 is tough on T6 CVs, heck even for some of the Hiryu's planes because she is forced to operate with T6 torpedo planes and does not get T7 ones.

[vak_]

There is a carrier re-balance coming soon(TM), which should fix the disparity between USN and IJN carriers.

[Kapitan_Wuff]

I love low tier CVs, Hosho is number one but Langley is fun too.

However, CVs quickly got too frustrating for me and too many squadrons to manage lead me to make lots of mistake. It's not for me. 

I got up to Lexington in USN and was always annoyed that I had to either pick AS and be ineffective at dealing damage and only able to counter the enemy CV or pick strike and run the likely risk of completely being shut down. 

On the IJN side I made it to Hiryu and while the load outs are hands down better, you have a lot of squadrons in the air at once and it's just too much for me to effectively manage them all.

 

If you wanna go up the CV line, either line, then be prepared for massive frustration and a huge skill ceiling. Going from t5 to t6 is a huge increase in difficulty for CVs.

[TangledThorns]

 Going up the CV line for IJN and USN was the most enjoyable experience I ever had with this game. I got to tier10 CV faster than any of the lines.

[cometguy]

I pulled numbers from warships today for the last two weeks. Based on the numbers they have, there were at least 1601 random matches with t10 CVs in the last two weeks. At least 3056 matches with t9 CVs, and at least 7686 matches with t8 CVs.

[Sovereigndawg]

I will start playing CV's when I get all of the line ships. The play style is different so I will concentrate on that when I am done with the other classes.

[Warped_1]

As much as people gripe, CVs are fun and a pleasant change from the other types of ships from time to time.

[Bravo_Zulu_000]

For myself, I've been playing since Alpha and as I hate top-down games so I'll never play carriers. 

[WolfmanJack99]

Carriers can be fun but if you are seriously looking at running up the CV line 1st, do your homework on what mods and captain skills are best. Also, know your enemy. If you hover over a ship on the match loading screen take a look at the AA rating of the ships you are up against. Stay away from the higher ratings until later in the match.

To help save some fighters try not to engage over/near enemy ships. The fighters in conjunction with the nme ships can eat your planes pretty quickly.  On the flip side of that coin, try engaging nme planes over/near your friendly ships. Try not to engage over your friendly DDs, however, enemy planes will spot them.  DDs don't like being spotted.

Have fun and good luck!

[Psicopro]

Carriers require the most attention to detail, it is more like playing an RTS.  It requires a different kind of player because you are both trying to support the team and fend off the enemy carrier at the same time in multiple mini-exchanges.

 

[BrushWolf]

1 hour ago, Kapitan_Wuff said:

I love low tier CVs, Hosho is number one but Langley is fun too.

However, CVs quickly got too frustrating for me and too many squadrons to manage lead me to make lots of mistake. It's not for me. 

I got up to Lexington in USN and was always annoyed that I had to either pick AS and be ineffective at dealing damage and only able to counter the enemy CV or pick strike and run the likely risk of completely being shut down. 

On the IJN side I made it to Hiryu and while the load outs are hands down better, you have a lot of squadrons in the air at once and it's just too much for me to effectively manage them all.

 

If you wanna go up the CV line, either line, then be prepared for massive frustration and a huge skill ceiling. Going from t5 to t6 is a huge increase in difficulty for CVs.

 

Pretty much this. Even ignoring manual drops CV's require an extreme level of micromanagement. That micromangement needs to be drastically reduced to enable less than top players to enjoy playing the class.

[_Big_Lou_]

1 hour ago, Nighteyez said:

Hello fellow captains,

I mentioned in a previous post that my goal was to work my way up the American carrier line to get to the USS Midway. And even though I have read on the forums, and heard on YouTube that the American carriers suck, I was still determined to try. Now however, I am hearing that nobody plays carriers at the top tier levels. So, I am now wondering if I should switch to another class to try and level up, or continue on with the Midway goal? I am still a relative newbie at this game, having  played a little over a week, and been playing all four classes of American ships, because when I first started playing this game, I was trying out all the classes to see which one I liked the most. Currently I am in tier 4-6 ships, as it is getting harder to level up, especially when I am leveling all four classes. LOL That is why I want to find something to concentrate on and just level that class up for now. However, I am already frustrated with the carrier game play, and getting beat by enemies who always seem to have more fighters than myself. Now, after hearing carriers are not played at the upper tiers, I am wondering if all this frustration and grinding is worth it? Any and all opinions are welcome. Thanks in advance. BTW, even though I am starting down the carrier path (I hope) my current favorite ship is the USS Omaha. I like having the aircraft and torpedoes on the same ship. I have only recently advanced to the USS Independence but like I stated before, it becomes useless very quick when all my planes are gone. If nobody plays carriers, maybe I will switch to leveling up my cruisers, although it seems they lose the torpedoes after the Omaha. :o(

 

Jim

 

Looking out to tier X and planning a long grind is a bit of a trap, IMHO. A new player has no idea what the tier X meta looks like, let along how a particular ship handles. Additionally, if you rush up one and only one line of ships in order to get to your selected tier X ASAP, you have a very low chance of that ship meeting your uninformed expectations.

 

TLDR: No amount of reading of forums or watching of youtube videos will help you find out how you like to play.

 

My suggestion: Play several different ships/nations up to tier IV, V, or VI and determine how you like to play.

 

My personal story: Starting my WoWs career, I initially did what you did and selected USN BBs as my ship of choice. I was not happy after grinding up to New Mexico and completely abandoned the line at Colorado. To me, BBs were like fighting in a straight jacket. No utility, no movement, for me.... no fun. I then chose CVs and enjoyed them (I will return at some point) but found that I enjoyed DDs and CA/CLs the most. Starting out, neither DDs nor CA/CLs were on my radar. Only through playing many ships did I find my preference.

 

Additional note: Playing multiple ships gives you an insight to how those ships play, tendencies and limitations..... you know how to hunt them better.

 

Good luck with your games and happy hunting.

 

[pyantoryng]

If you don't mind drawing the ire of players on your team once in a while, then by all means...check them out.

Indepencence is just a bumped up T5 that got into a tough spot where AA start to become strong (in my days, there was the 48-plane Saipan and double torpedo squads with fighters, no such thing today)...you either quit now or press on to reach the fleet carrier tier, where US line start to seriously slump due to the fundamental failure in carrier gameplay, and the very reason why high tier US carriers are frowned upon just by their mere presence in battle (but nobody would complain when they blow up those pesky DDs right inside their smoke...)

US carrier certainly isn't an easy path to pursue...but if you like them then go for it.

[Anumati]

Do you want to be yelled at for just playing? Play CV.

Do you want to have everyone complaining at you for trying to learn? Play CV

Are you a masochist who wants to deal with a horrible UI, horrible economy and horrible playerbase and horrible AA mechanics? Play CV

 

[Kapitan_Wuff]

54 minutes ago, BrushWolf said:

 

Pretty much this. Even ignoring manual drops CV's require an extreme level of micromanagement. That micromangement needs to be drastically reduced to enable less than top players to enjoy playing the class.

 

It's strafes. I think without strafes CVs would be so much more manageable to me. But in just a moment of not paying attention the enemy can delete so many planes with a well done strafe. 

[StoneRhino]

CVS have a very mono e mono feel to them. USN CVS are both easier and harder to play. Easier in the sense that you have less to deal with as far as micro-ing but harder in that you need to do more with less.

 

Also the UI is not great but not as bad as many say. It just takes a little getting used too.

[sbcptnitro]

26 minutes ago, Anumati said:

Do you want to be yelled at for just playing? Play CV.

Do you want to have everyone complaining at you for trying to learn? Play CV

Are you a masochist who wants to deal with a horrible UI, horrible economy and horrible playerbase and horrible AA mechanics? Play CV

 

This is your answer right here.

CV players have to be all things for all players or there will be hell to pay!

[Saetre]

US CVs are just fine.  Play strike package and figure out how to avoid fighters.  Shooting down planes in this game is completely irrelevant versus doing damage to ships.

[Reymu]

If you want to learn CVs, let nobody stop you.

 

Just be aware US line has it harder, and after T8, they're unable to keep up with IJN line in terms of damage, so you have to be more precise about destroying red ships.

 

Also, leave AS loadout for Ranked and run strike. When fortune smiles, that loadout is the one best able to get the most damage. Once at Lexington, master the DB drop on DDs as the 1000 LB HE bombs really hurt.

 

Lastly, consider asking an AA-spec player to div up with your CV for some extra help vs. red fighters.

[sbcptnitro]

13 minutes ago, Reymu said:

Lastly, consider asking an AA-spec player to div up with your CV for some extra help vs. red fighters.

and just FYI some "well known" CV players consider this to be a huge "no-no" (unless they are the ones doing it, then it's perfectly fine). 

[Nighteyez]

Thanks all for the replies. I have stopped at Independence so far, because of the micro management. Takes a different mindset to play CV's that is for sure. I loved playing the Langley, and even the Bogue, but now it seems my planes are always shot down first, and I become a useless flat top floating around waiting for the inevitable destruction of the ship. And the previously mentioned USN CV's being at a disadvantage doesn't help my drive to grind through them either. I have already learned about keeping my planes away from enemy ships as their AA takes a huge toll. However, I love the damage the torpedo bombers do, and doing them right, gives me a sense of contributing to the battle. When I play DD or CV, I am usually the "first blood" victim. Though, honestly, I chalk that up to my inexperience mostly. Maybe I should just keep doing the other classes like I started in the beginning. I have DD's and BB's up to T5 and the CV and CA up to T6 and even though I have the USS Cleveland, I find myself playing the USS Omaha the most because I like the fact that it has torpedoes. So maybe I should concentrate on the US DD's. I prefer zipping around like a scalded cat wreaking havoc instead of the chess match interface of the CV's, or the lay back and lob volleys from 16k like the BB's. I made a second account and am trying the IJN cruisers, and I like it. So I may end up retraining Nighteyez to IJN, since I cannot afford to play two accounts. Of course, being a newbie, and only having 11 days of play, it makes sense to try out the other ships. I mean really, the main reason for playing this game is to have fun, and currently with a win loss ratio of 3-20 it is not fun but frustrating. And I realize that will change as I gain more experience. I still make newbie mistakes (DD's number one cardinal rule-Don't torpedo your teammates) but it seems I am still having fun even when losing in a DD or CA. Not so much in a CV. I like all the different points of view I see here. Common sense would be to sit back and gain experience in all the classes before making a decision to grind one up to T10. Anyway, thanks again for all the replies.

Jim

[Saetre]

55 minutes ago, sbcptnitro said:

and just FYI some "well known" CV players consider this to be a huge "no-no" (unless they are the ones doing it, then it's perfectly fine). 

 

Yes, well, the rest of us laugh at them.  No different than divving triple Khabs, etc.  Is it annoying?  Absolutely.  It's part of the game regardless and refusing to ever take advantage of that aspect would be foolish.

[Nighteyez]

On 8/14/2017 at 0:19 PM, Anumati said:

Do you want to be yelled at for just playing? Play CV.

Do you want to have everyone complaining at you for trying to learn? Play CV

Are you a masochist who wants to deal with a horrible UI, horrible economy and horrible playerbase and horrible AA mechanics? Play CV

 

Well, I don't usually read the chat when people start yelling insults. I play this game for fun, not to be yelled at. If they can't handle me making newbie mistakes, then they are SOL. I am not going to stop playing because someone doesn't like the way I play. Especially since I have invested real money in this game in a premium membership, and now, two premium ships. I first bought the Sims because I like DD's as well as CV's. It is just the micromanagement that  takes some getting used to. I sold my Bogue to make room for a USS Saipan. And I love it. When I first looked at premium ships I had set my eyes on the Indianapolis, but I have not seen any good reviews about her, but was going to get her if/when they put her on sale. Well, this weekend, she was on sale. However, I also saw the Saipan was on sale, and it looked to be the better deal, so sorry Indy, but you will have to wait until next month. I played the Saipan first in Co-Op to get used to her, and never lost any of the 5 battles she was in. However, that is Co-op. I then tried her in Random, and won the first two, but lost the 3rd.So, in 7 battles she has 6 wins and 1 loss. Too bad she is too high for the scenario of the week. I love playing the Independence in that defend the base one. So, basically, I guess I will continue with CV's with a touch of DD (Sims) on the side, and I will never sell the Omaha, as she is my favorite ship. Thanks again for all the replies/opinions.

Jim