Which Cruiser Line?

[AtlanticRim]

Now I love my US Cruiser line. However, I've often wondered what other line I might like. I've compared ships, and I can't really decide between the Russian or German cruiser lines. Right now I'm leaning toward the German because of better AA and health than the Russians (And being a US cruiser player, I love my AA). However, I've often wondered if the AP heavy playstyle of them would be a good fit for me.

[FayFay731]

Why not both? Unless you don't have the resources to grind them, pick the Russian line. They remain consistent throughout the tiers and the Moskva is a beast. The Russian cruisers are tankier than the German cruisers and they have better AA at the higher tiers (in range). Russian cruisers also have radarfrom tier 8-10 which is nice if you hate DDs. I would say pick Russian line, but it's all up to you.

[Usedcarjock]

The biggest difference between the two lines is that HE on Russian Cruisers is much more potent than German Cruisers. I find however the survivability of German Cruisers to be a huge advantage, especially in the late game. The choice is yours, but I'd recommend Germans cruisers.

[yashma]

That really depends on your play style.  Personally I found German cruisers at tiers 1-8 to be pretty meh, it's only at Tiers 9 and 10 when they get really good.  The German cruiser line has a bit of an identity crisis in which they are pretty much HE spammers at low and mid tiers, and in that regard they are second rate HE spammers, but at high tiers they become very dynamic and are some of the most flexible ships in the game.  They can brawl, they can torp, they have good AAA, they can even HE spam pretty well, and this in my book makes them more fun to play.   Soviet cruisers are much more consistent through out the line, but they are pretty much one dimensional HE spammers, but they are very good HE spammers.  

So if you only care about getting the high tier ships, I'd recommend German cruisers, but if you want to take it slow and enjoy each ship in the line as a whole, I'd recommend the soviets.  

[Greenday4537]

I struggled with mid-tier German cruisers. Kind of killed it for me.

[Kapitan_Wuff]

I prefer the VMF cause I like the guns a lot, but they are true glass cannons, KMS is more balanced I think.

[senseNOTmade]

Just wanted to mention that as a CV player, I was never very scared of equal tiered German or Russian CAs. That said, I'd give the edge to Russian CAs, as I have encountered a few AA specced ones which made loitering in their air space annoyingly expensive. I'm not sure, but I think they have significantly better long range AA, which is by far the most important factor in determining the effectiveness of the defensive AA consumable.

[vak_]

45 minutes ago, AtlanticRim said:

Now I love my US Cruiser line. However, I've often wondered what other line I might like. I've compared ships, and I can't really decide between the Russian or German cruiser lines. Right now I'm leaning toward the German because of better AA and health than the Russians (And being a US cruiser player, I love my AA). However, I've often wondered if the AP heavy playstyle of them would be a good fit for me.

 

KM cruisers aren't as AP heavy as people imagine. It's just too unreliable for damage. Blast some broadsided cruiser or battleship inside 10-12km -- sure, that will work just fine. But outside of that HE is simply more reliable. Especially with the recent HE changes which gave KM cruisers the 1/4 penetration. Just this morning I had this game, basically shot HE exclusively the entire time.

 

 

As for the two things you mentioned -- AA is equally meh for both cruiser lines (although on KM cruisers you might not even run DF, because their hydro is so good). Small difference in HP doesn't really matter IMO.

 

P.S. All in all, though, I think the RU cruiser line is objectively better for carrying games in randoms. HE spam is a very safe form of dishing out damage. Just don't forget to grab IFHE for tier 6-9 ships.

[MrKilmister]

Now is the time for the Germans.

[Flashtirade]

Russian line has cosistently stronger guns at range but are squishier (barring Moskva). Prefers mid to long-range sniping at all times.

German line varies in effectiveness a lot but focuses on good AP damage on broadside targets and excellent hydro. Incredibly dangerous brawlers, though stuck in a meta where opportunities to do so are uncommon.

[Reymu]

VMF cruisers are basically HE spammers until T7 Schors, when the AP becomes useful against broadside BBs. I've ripped 3-8K volleys each time on a Bismarck in my Chappy. Their AA is meh unless go full AA spec, and even then T7-10 is when the nasty AA spec is roughly equal to US. Just be careful, as VMF cruisers are squishy and most of them have citadels located in front or stern of ship rather than middle--it's tough to guess where the enemy BBs are aiming.

 

KMS cruisers take a lot of planning, same as BB, but they're very capable and more flexible. IMO Hipper is when the line starts shining with solid MB velocity and if go AA spec, they're very good at fighting off planes a tier above them (unlike VMF cruisers).

 

Kinda depends what you want. Moskva is a mini-BB with AP that can cit angled cruisers, whereas Hindenburg has best of everything.

[AtlanticRim]

Thanks for all the replies. To answer FayFay's question, I will get up on both eventually, but not right now. I will try the VMF ships first (can't wait to burn down some battleships), then I will try the KMS ships. What I was really looking for was a cruiser class that I could play when I wanted a break from my US cruisers. Thus, I do want to enjoy every ship, not just grind through the line, so I will try the Russian cruisers first.

Thanks for all your input guys!

[Parliament_Funkadelic]

Tough question. I would go German as the ships do change quite a bit in play style as you go up the line. the Russian line is very similar until you get to the Moskva and that in itself is a beast...more of a feast or famine ship where as the Hindenburg is just down right good in all situations.

[yashma]

32 minutes ago, vak_ said:

 

KM cruisers aren't as AP heavy as people imagine. It's just too unreliable for damage. Blast some broadsided cruiser or battleship inside 10-12km -- sure, that will work just fine. But outside of that HE is simply more reliable. Especially with the recent HE changes which gave KM cruisers the 1/4 penetration. Just this morning I had this game, basically shot HE exclusively the entire time.

 

 

As for the two things you mentioned -- AA is equally meh for both cruiser lines (although on KM cruisers you might not even run DF, because their hydro is so good). Small difference in HP doesn't really matter IMO.

 

P.S. All in all, though, I think the RU cruiser line is objectively better for carrying games in randoms. HE spam is a very safe form of dishing out damage. Just don't forget to grab IFHE for tier 6-9 ships.

People seriously underestimate the HE on German cruisers, the Roon and Hindenburg in particular.  With DE and flags they can get a very respectable 17% fire chance, and spitting out 9-12 shells at 6 rounds a minute, that really adds up fast.  While it can be misleading to judge ships based on their paper stats, the Hindenburg actually has the 2nd best HE DPM of any Tier 10 cruiser, and depending on how you run the math is one of the best sustained fire starters as well.

It is a waste to play them as pure HE spammers, but in a pinch they are more than capable of doing it, that's why I like them so much.  Any target caught showing broadside is going to be decimated by AP, any target that angles is going to be barbecued by HE.  I don't care what I fight, or how my opponent angles, I can punish them for it.  

[Parliament_Funkadelic]

Don't forget about the Japanee. If you want fires....IJN is a blast. Great fire starters, great torps, great stealth. They have their drawbacks of course. At tier ten you will hear players swear.... f'ing Zao....more than any other ship as the Zao is simply a predator. 

Half the time you don't even realize it's in the game and at the end on the xp board its 1st with 190k and three kills

[PorscheRacer14]

If you liked the USN cruiser line which I love, also) I'd say go with the German cruiser line.  Sure, you don't get radar, but you do get the best hydro and the ability to kite and then turn around and be the aggressor because you have very usable torpedoes and angles to fire them from.  I've recently ground out the Soviet cruiser line and so far I've been pretty underwhelmed by the Moskva.  I could be playing it wrong or being unlucky with it's AP at range and HE with fires but it's not for me.  The Roon and Hindenburg can also get some pretty wild AA, as in good enough to not need defensive fire but able to run hydro instead.  The Hindenburg is still one of my best scoring ships in the game for me. :)

 

[DeadIyArT]

2 hours ago, AtlanticRim said:

Now I love my US Cruiser line. However, I've often wondered what other line I might like. I've compared ships, and I can't really decide between the Russian or German cruiser lines. Right now I'm leaning toward the German because of better AA and health than the Russians (And being a US cruiser player, I love my AA). However, I've often wondered if the AP heavy playstyle of them would be a good fit for me.

Russian ships are squishy until t9 and 10 where they are only really armour bow on.  We'll german ca have turtle back armour and good and angling there armour where russian ships have horrible rear and side armour making running away alot more difficult.    I had run down both lines.  I have both the moskva and the Hindy I like my Hindy but I never do well in her but I do ok in the moskva.

[Fletcher7_1944]

8 hours ago, AtlanticRim said:

Now I love my US Cruiser line. However, I've often wondered what other line I might like. I've compared ships, and I can't really decide between the Russian or German cruiser lines. Right now I'm leaning toward the German because of better AA and health than the Russians (And being a US cruiser player, I love my AA). However, I've often wondered if the AP heavy playstyle of them would be a good fit for me.

  If you're a lover of heavy cruisers, I'd go German.  From T7 up that's what you get.   Ru cruisers are primarily CL's, with a couple of CA's randomly salted in.  If you'd like to give the Church of PEW! a try, go Russian.

 

 In my experience, the Russian cruisers are REALLY glass cannons, once you get beyond Svetty.  Good guns, but you pay DEARLY for them...

 

[Madwolf05]

Personally I'm a big fan of the Germans over the Russians through Tier 6.

 

The big difference is in getting in and out of position in a fight. The problem with the Russians is they have really poor turning circles and rudder shifts. Their armor doesn't really make up for it either. This means it can be tough to get into position to do your damage.

 

The Germans can be squishy, but not as bad as the Russians. They also have the tools to avoid enemy fire as well, and they get tougher at higher Tiers.

 

Personally I would think about the French if I were you. They're similar to the Americans and a lot of fun for me through Tier 7. I haven't felt like any Tier was an absolute choir like other lines. It was a nice change of pace over ships like the Omaha, Karlsrhue, and others.