Graf Zeppelin Owners News and Impressions Here

[GreyFox78659]

I have decided to not really get involved in GZ development outside of maintaining and reading this topic or something big comes along which is why I started this to get scuttlebutt on developments from fellow owners. 

 

I would like to get the latest news, rumors, scandals, and impressions from the OWNERS only on this topic thread. So if you don't own Graf Zeppelin please do not post here.

Owners please share what you know.

[anonym_Hf93Jbjm9WjT]

Nobody believes or takes me seriously when I say Graf Zeppelin is awesome as it is (coming from a Lexington..)

There seems to be a consensus that GZ needs some mechanics fixing (fighters and AP) but is not as disastrous as many non owners like to argue. How many CVs are there that can nuke 2 battleships, at the same time, and sink them with their secondaries alone? I just did that today (a t8 Tirpitz followed by a t6 QE). Sure it is unconventional, but the tears of joy..

[Cpt_Cupcake]

Having run it a few times today, I can attest to people being aware of how good the secondary's are. They just stay out range now and kite. On the flip side, I have noticed a trend of the opposing cv trying to snipe more often then usual, increasing air kills for me because of increased AA firepower (cause of Cpt skills) and short turn around on fighters, if I have any left...

[anonym_Hf93Jbjm9WjT]

https://na.warships.today/vehicle/3762272048/Graf Zeppelin

http://na.wows-numbers.com/ship/3762272048,Graf-Zeppelin/?order=battles__desc#leaderboard

Useful to parse stats. There are not really very many of us who play the Graf Zep in pvp battles; of those that do, we on the forums seem to be doing quite well with it (on average). Average dmg is good (50-60k). WR cannot be taken seriously yet, nobody has even hit the 100 battle mark, while individual WR shown does not take account of how the ship is equipped or captain skills.

[SgtBeltfed]

Well, took mine into Co-Op a bunch, and into Random once. Haven't dropped a single AP bomb, so I don't personally know how bad those are.

 

The Good: The ship itself is solid, The AA isn't bad but could be better, she moves, the secondaries are Mikasa levels of stupid, the HE Dive bombers are good for Dive Bombers, and she's a very good looking ship.

The Bad: The Air wing is terrible, BF-109T's are complete garbage, the AP bombs are useless according to others (I'll take there word on it) and she's actually a bit boring to play (Keep your ship out of trouble, try and trap the other CV's fighters over a cruiser, and sometimes get to set fire to something, it's like bringing an AS USN CV with bad fighters).

 

WG started something on facebook for the fixes https://www.facebook.com/wowsgraf/?fref=ts

Farazelleth posted a suggestion for a fix, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yMKESSaAs9A, WG wants to try stuff that's more off the wall first.

GZ owners that stick with the ship will get special camouflage when the ship is fixed, and we'll have 3 months to beat everyone else up on the servers when that happens.

 

My one random game in the Graf Zeppelin so far was against an Enterprise and we were top tier in a tier 8 heavy match. The other CV driver is more experienced, but probably of comparable level of skill to myself. I did 21k damage to the Enterprise in 2 raids, shot down 26 of his, for the loss of 44 of my own, and no damage received. the Bf-109T's proved they're tier 6 aircraft, without any of the benefits. I think he was going for the carrier snipe (why?) and he figured out that he went the wrong way around the map so he had to settle for trying to nuke a battleship (it was near dead anyway) while I strafed his strike aircraft (most of the 14 of his strike aircraft I took out were that pass).

 

[aethervox]

I have found the DBs can be effective but not against any ship with lots of AA.

The Fighters are hopeless vs enemy Fighters & only good for scouting and/or chasing enemy DBs and/or TBs

So the GZ has great Secondaries, so what - most times they won't be used cause the GZ is a CV, after all, & other ship types kill CVs.

 Hence, the GZ, imho, is a stealth CV - it is best when it's planes are where the enemy planes aren't.

 The GZ requires better Fighters &, even, somewhat better DBs.  FW-190s anyone?

The AP bombs? I don't use them - they do less max Damage plus what is with the slow drop time there?

[anonym_Hf93Jbjm9WjT]

2 hours ago, aethervox said:

I have found the DBs can be effective but not against any ship with lots of AA.

The Fighters are hopeless vs enemy Fighters & only good for scouting and/or chasing enemy DBs and/or TBs

So the GZ has great Secondaries, so what - most times they won't be used cause the GZ is a CV, after all, & other ship types kill CVs.

 Hence, the GZ, imho, is a stealth CV - it is best when it's planes are where the enemy planes aren't.

 The GZ requires better Fighters &, even, somewhat better DBs.  FW-190s anyone?

The AP bombs? I don't use them - they do less max Damage plus what is with the slow drop time there?

I have begun to do better with GZs fighters, they are still awful, but finding ways to make them work better,

a) point and click is a sure way to lose a dogfight against better fighters

b) manually setting up a strafing run is hard against a skilled player with superior fighters, but the payoff is big

c) it sure ain't fair being the underdog, but those who underestimate you are your easiest prey, bait them to attack you with one set of fighters, then strafe their fighters + your own, and let WG sort them out... The sacrifice is not worth it for expensive AS Lexington fighters, but it is for GZ with its cheap, cheerful and crappy fighters - you have replacements.

[SgtBeltfed]

The Official play testing invites went out in game today to GZ owners.

[Dalea]

My thoughts are the fighters are weak compared to other fighters. And AP bombs are very hard to get hits. When I play I use HE bombs. Also not a problem but since the bombers are Stukas shouldn't they have the screaming siren sound when they dive? For added effect and to unnerve the enemy. At least it would be a nice added bonus for those who spent the money.

[anonym_Hf93Jbjm9WjT]

Found this scrolling through WOWS reddit, someone who has hit the 100 random battles in GZ shares experiences and opinion : 

https://www.reddit.com/r/WorldOfWarships/comments/6xtxad/graf_zeppelin_100_games_later/

Taster,

^{"I will start out with some personal stats and achievements continue with some tips and how i played it and end it with some opinions}

^Pretext:

^{I’ve never played more than 50 games in CVs in T4-5 (before the *no-more-autodrop patch) and then stopped. The GZ is my first high-tier carrier and these are my first 100 games.}

^{Personal Stats and Achievements: I played 100 games (you don’t say) and won 53 of them which results in a 53% WR (duh). In all these games, I used the HE loadout in standard PvP battle (you monster!).}

^{I have and average damage of 62,266, an average Plane-Kill count of 23.92 and an average kill ratio of 1.08 per game. I got a Kraken once and ClearSky twice, once against another GZ and once against a strike Lexington. Needless to say, both were 100% potatoes (how else would it be possible).}

^{I got the second highest recorded damage in the GZ with 172,766 against another strike Lexington in a game where only T6 and T7 surface ships were present, mainly BBs (MM at its best amiright).}

---

^{How i played it:..."}

 

[SgtBeltfed]

Another round of invites going out, and we'll be getting 2 different AP dive bomber load outs to test for week one of the testing.

[Grathew]

What would the differences be? Better pen for less damage or better damage for less pen? That sounds like the most logical first step to me. Or are they deleting the delay?

[anonym_Hf93Jbjm9WjT]

10 hours ago, SgtBeltfed said:

Another round of invites going out, and we'll be getting 2 different AP dive bomber load outs to test for week one of the testing.

Not only 2 different AP dive bomber load outs, but 2 different test Graf Zeppelins, which means we'll have 3 x GZ in our hangars, omg omg!

[GreyFox78659]

Ok starting to think Graf might just be a tad bit OP in her current form. Just tanked a Cleveland. He started realizing he was screwed when I didn't turn an run infact just turned broadside and said bring it.

[anonym_Hf93Jbjm9WjT]

37 minutes ago, GreyFox78659 said:

Ok starting to think Graf might just be a tad bit OP in her current form. Just tanked a Cleveland. He started realizing he was screwed when I didn't turn an run infact just turned broadside and said bring it.

Hardly, Cleveland is a tier 6. GZ is a tier8 with the armour of a tier 8 cruiser, if the Cleveland got in range of your secondaries (6.6km), it was its own fault, as GZ, while quite fast, turns like a brick in tar and isn't capable of catching anyone with half a brain (apologies to those I have sunk in random battles using my secondaries ).

GZ is underpowered, GZ is underpowered, GZ is underpowered, GZ is underpowered, GZ is underpowered, GZ is underpowered, GZ is underpowered, GZ is underpowered, GZ is underpowered, GZ is underpowered, GZ is underpowered, GZ is underpowered, GZ is underpowered, GZ is underpowered, GZ is underpowered, GZ is underpowered,  (...) buff secondary range to 15km ...

[anonym_xe9Liq3xS1K1]

I have the GZ less than a month like as she is especially dive bombers they have 50% hit ratio better than US & IJN 25/35% hit ratio even I have them for perfect line up a opposing ship they still miss. What up with that WG we shouldn't see this in battle in all CV tiers. Unless u are ALT player do not comment on this. GZ has a better chance hitting a DD with dive bombers than US & IJN dive bombers (Only time US &IJN kill or hit DD is when they make a mistake). US & IJN need a little fixing them also. The GZ keep as is especially in tier X battles and against IJN shimakaze high concealment. Hopefully the other German CV almost other player talk about may come or not could be inserting.

[GreyFox78659]

14 hours ago, nuttybiscuit said:

Hardly, Cleveland is a tier 6. GZ is a tier8 with the armour of a tier 8 cruiser, if the Cleveland got in range of your secondaries (6.6km), it was its own fault, as GZ, while quite fast, turns like a brick in tar and isn't capable of catching anyone with half a brain (apologies to those I have sunk in random battles using my secondaries ).

GZ is underpowered, GZ is underpowered, GZ is underpowered, GZ is underpowered, GZ is underpowered, GZ is underpowered, GZ is underpowered, GZ is underpowered, GZ is underpowered, GZ is underpowered, GZ is underpowered, GZ is underpowered, GZ is underpowered, GZ is underpowered, GZ is underpowered, GZ is underpowered,  (...) buff secondary range to 15km ...

I have mind upgraded to 9.4 and concealment is at 15km so he sailed right into them. By the time most realize why sailing into GZs secondary is a bad idea I have bombed them to the point the secondary guns make short work of them. That is how it should work. if you do that she is way OP.

[anonym_Hf93Jbjm9WjT]

3 minutes ago, GreyFox78659 said:

I have mind upgraded to 9.4 and concealment is at 15km so he sailed right into them. By the time most realize why sailing into GZs secondary is a bad idea I have bombed them to the point the secondary guns make short work of them. That is how it should work.

You didn't take the 4 pt air supermacy skill or did you fit secondary battery (mod slot 2) instead of the fighter buff? Fair sacrifice, but not one I'd feel comfortable about.

[SteffisCute]

I went toe to toe with a Hipper last night, full health on both. one DB missed totally, and only one of the remaining two started a fire. Sunk him with my secondaries while on fire with about 35% health left.

 

 

[GreyFox78659]

4 hours ago, nuttybiscuit said:

You didn't take the 4 pt air supermacy skill or did you fit secondary battery (mod slot 2) instead of the fighter buff? Fair sacrifice, but not one I'd feel comfortable about.

I use those on other carriers this is my lulz machine

[Ascinius]

So, despite what a lot of people say... I love playing it. Flavor wose it is great, sure it cant decimate ships with good AA but the drop pattern can hit most DDs snd thats a good trade off if you ask me. Funny enough i have about 8 clear skys in it, including one against an AS Lexington. My win rate in it is 63% after 70 games, and i have gotten a kraken in it. 

Sure it's different, sure it needs better AP bombs and the fighters could be faster/ or could use more health, but I think its a great change from the norm.

All on all, 8/10. Parts of it are fun and great but it definatly could use stronger fighters

[StoneRhino]

12 hours ago, GreyFox78659 said:

I have mind upgraded to 9.4 and concealment is at 15km so he sailed right into them. By the time most realize why sailing into GZs secondary is a bad idea I have bombed them to the point the secondary guns make short work of them. That is how it should work. if you do that she is way OP.

SO play her the way the German's planned on use her. 

[GreyFox78659]

15 hours ago, StoneRhino said:

SO play her the way the German's planned on use her. 

Yep she works as designed.

[Talos3567]

Well, I like the GZ. I think the final buffs to the fighters will be great, along with the AP drop time. I personally like the DBs....add another DB group. A 2 fighter and 4 DB would be something different. Also, please add the Jericho Sirens...I think that would be a simple audio file you could attach and it would really be a great and original feature. Anyway, I will leave it up to people who play CVs a lot to give more refined feedback, just my 2 cents.

[StoneRhino]

14 hours ago, GreyFox78659 said:

Yep she works as designed.

Ya it was how I wanted to try her out. Too bad they stopped selling her before I got home.