Which line of Battleships should I go down.

[_Rudedog]

Ok I am currently running the Kongo, and the New York.

 

At the same time I am running Japanese and American cruiser lines, something has got to give.

 

Which line to drop, one has to go.

 

I'm thinking American Battleships, and Japanese Cruisers.

 

Simply, sooner or later I am going to want to start the Japanese destroyer line, or maybe carriers at some point, don't need to many lines running at once.

 

Not to mention when the Russian and British lines start, then there will be other decisions to make.

 

 

So somebody tell me !!!!!! 

[BattlecruiserOperational]

I'd say you're right by dropping the USN BBs. IJN BBs are plain better(and less aggravating). For the cruiser line it's a little more difficult, as both have their highlights and both T10s are great ships. If you plan on running organized fleets aka CW, I would steer you in the direction of the Des Moines. If you are more after solo play, then the Zao is hard to beat.

[LittleWhiteMouse]

Depends on what you're looking for, I guess?  What tiers are you looking to settle on?  Is your goal to get to the top of the pile or will you stop midway when you get a ship that you like?  Some of us (like myself) aren't interested in completing ship lines but collecting specific ships that we enjoy.

 

For the IJN Battleship line, my favourites so far have been the Kongo, Nagato and Amagi.  My experience with the USN Cruiser line has been a mixed bag so far.  I like the St.Louis but it's a little too OP for my taste.  The Cleveland is fun but a little bland -- I prefer my Atlanta.  I'm looking forward to the Pensacola, but again I haven't settled.  For the IJN Cruiser line, I loved the Aoba. 

 

If you're looking for tier 10s, keep in mind only a very small population has them unlocked so far (some as few as 30 people per).  Many of us played a few during Closed Beta, so there is some accurate information out there to find regarding these ships if that's your desired end game.

[AdmiralPiett]

Depends on your play style. USN BBs have considerably more armour than their IJN counterparts tier for tier (except Yamato), while IJN BBs (or BCs/CCs depending on tier) have longer ranges and speed generally speaking. American AA is also better tier for tier. Overall the quality of the lines is such:

 

USN

Tier III (Bad) ----> Tier IV (Great) ----> Tier V (Good) ----> Tier VI (Great) ----> Tier VII (Bad) ----> Tier VIII (Great) ----> Tier IX (Amaze-balls) ----> Tier X (Good)

 

IJN

Tier III (Bad) ----> Tier IV (Bad) ----> Tier V (Great) ----> Tier VI (Great) ----> Tier VII (Good) ----> Tier VIII (Great) ----> Tier IX (Bad) ----> Tier X (Amaze-balls)

[MagisterAurelius]

I can tell you that as far as US BBs go, that things are really good with New Mexico, the Colorado is something to free xp past and then you get to the awesome sauce that is North Carolina, Iowa and Montana.  The AA makes you less reliant on CV fighter overwatch or cruisers riding shotgun with you, not eliminating the need, but mitigating it pretty well.   the IJN line does not have that option.  Now on DDs, you might want to hold off on the IJN DDs just because with the nerf to Minekaze in the next patch and the brutal grind higher than that, it's not exactly a rewarding line. 

[MandoWarrior1]

I'd say you're right by dropping the USN BBs. IJN BBs are plain better(and less aggravating). For the cruiser line it's a little more difficult, as both have their highlights and both T10s are great ships. If you plan on running organized fleets aka CW, I would steer you in the direction of the Des Moines. If you are more after solo play, then the Zao is hard to beat.

 

 

as a yamato player, I'd say at tier 10, Montana is better over all due to how bad the Yamato is vs Cruisers. Its big guns have a problem penning them alot of the time.

 

Yamatos main strength its is s*x appeal and its anti battleship capabilities. 

[MagisterAurelius]

The secondaries on Yamato man.... don't forget those.  And those horrific replays of 85000 damage... from the secondaries alone.

[MandoWarrior1]

The secondaries on Yamato man.... don't forget those.  And those horrific replays of 85000 damage... from the secondaries alone.

 

Eh, thats rare that the secondaries are goign to do that much dmg. 

[GermanDragon]

I think in general the IJN BB line is more fun. The main reason is that the Americans are out ranged dramatically pretty much for 3/4 of the tree. Yes, the Americans have better AA but at the higher levels a good CV player will still be able to penetrate and do good damage, he just loses more planes. Also for money making, you will play mid level BB's allot, and there due to the range difference the IJN shines.

 

For Cruisers, it depends. If you wish to provide AA support and consider gun fights secondary then US CA of course. But if you want the advantages in surface engagements, then the ISN CA are your choice. Even the DM, though a good ship is not better then her ISN counterpart.

 

 

[MexicanPanda]

Depends on your play style. USN BBs have considerably more armour than their IJN counterparts tier for tier (except Yamato), while IJN BBs (or BCs/CCs depending on tier) have longer ranges and speed generally speaking. American AA is also better tier for tier. Overall the quality of the lines is such:

 

USN

Tier III (Bad) ----> Tier IV (Great) ----> Tier V (Good) ----> Tier VI (Great) ----> Tier VII (Bad) ----> Tier VIII (Great) ----> Tier IX (Amaze-balls) ----> Tier X (Good)

 

IJN

Tier III (Bad) ----> Tier IV (Bad) ----> Tier V (Great) ----> Tier VI (Great) ----> Tier VII (Good) ----> Tier VIII (Great) ----> Tier IX (Bad) ----> Tier X (Amaze-balls)

 

I would like to contend that the Myogi isn't a bad ship. Back before it had any AA it was bad, but now I'd say it's ok at least. My only other experience with BBs is the Kawachi and the Arkansas Beta though, so what do I know.

[DaddyLongStrokes]

Montana is great against cruisers and BBs, but Yamato is going make you his [edited]and penetrate you from any angle.

[MandoWarrior1]

Montana is great against cruisers and BBs, but Yamato is going make you his [edited]and penetrate you from any angle.

 

Just looking at it in the long run, Montana is a better Battleship than the Yamato due to its versatility.

[Brofisticus]

So somebody tell me !!!!!! 

 

Don't rush down any line. Just enjoy yourself. There isn't any end-game, just different tiers of ships. 

[1nv4d3rZ1m]

If you are looking for a brute force tanky BB then pick the US line, the IJN line is personally my favorite though after playing both lines in alpha and beta. The IJN through most of the grind is faster, better rof, better accuracy, and more flexible. Its better than the US line if you play to its strengths but it takes some skill to perform, I would say a lower skill floor but a higher skill ceiling. Same with the cruisers, the US cruisers people do fine spamming HE all the way up the line but with the IJN line you can perform better using its advantages in pen, accuracy, and torps to do more in the long run. The US BBs are ok I just hated the 21 knot speed through most of them, it just sucks to not really be able to respond to changes in the game.

[_Rudedog]

 

Don't rush down any line. Just enjoy yourself. There isn't any end-game, just different tiers of ships. 

 

That is what I want to do just slow down, and not race ahead of my skills, although I did try to get through the Furrytaco (Furutaka) as fast as I could.

 

A friend of mine is struggling with the Colorado right now, he is not impressed, so when someone said free xp through, I just might when I get there.

 

I'm at the New York right now, about 25,000 sp in it so I have a little while to go to the New Mexico.

 

 

Thanks so far everybody, good advise.

[DaddyLongStrokes]

 

Just looking at it in the long run, Montana is a better Battleship than the Yamato due to its versatility.

 

Problem with that tho is you fight A LOT of Yamatos.

Your AA is better, but if tier X CV wants you dead, you dead.

[RightYouAreKen]

Since you are already at New York, I say continue up the USN line. The New Mexico is great, the North Carolina is sexy and very fun.  I will admit I took the advice from others and free xped past the Colorado.  The Iowa seems amazing. I just unlocked it yesterday so it's still stock but I'm having some great games.

 

But I also like the IJN line. Only up to the Fuso but the Kongo and Fuso are great fun. Speedy for a BB with great range. Their armor is weaker but I score just as much damage with them as the USN BBs tier for tier.

[BattlecruiserOperational]

Yamato has WAY better guns. That's all that needs to be said. She's a 'sniper' compared to the loltana. Montana is more well rounded and more forgiving to play, but if you want to sail a ship besides a CV, where your own ability is the skill cap ceiling, then the Yamato is the way to go.

[SpectreMage]

Seeing as how you must pick one per ship type, I would agree with the decision to drop the USB BB tree. Unless you like having more dispersion (for no discernible reason other than for 'balance') then IJN BBs are much better a lower tiers, and at T8+ are still acceptable and you get the final word on battleships, the Yamato at Tier 10.  She'll penetrate every other cruiser and battleship from virtually any angle. Its an awesome ship. 

 

I don't completely agree with dropping IJN cruisers. Despite being allegedly the "gun" faction US cruiser guns really only have the upper hand in turret traverse time. In terms of damage and rate-of-fire both the IJN and USN guns are very close (until you get the Des Moines and its ridiculous 10 RPM). However USN Cruiser guns tend to lob their shells on a higher trajectory, which means it takes longer to reach their targets which means more time for the enemy to take evasive action. As a result shooting at anyone awake/competent at or near your max range becomes an exercise in frustration. That being said its nice to be able to shoot over some islands. In addition IJN cruiser have torpedoes, which in most situations remain unused, but they are very handy to have. 

[BlazerSparta]

Yamato obliterates cruisers pretty effectively. Just saying.

[Kanzler_Bismarck]

I am running both lines and at Nagato and North Carolina. Only turd so far has been Colorado.

 

I have kept all of them but South Carolona, Colorado, Wyoming and Myogi.

 

[JustAnOldDude]

I like the Nagato and The North Carolina. But for brute force the German BB's are a though bunch Gneisenau up

[ArIskandir]

Why drop lines?

[motaz87]

you folks that complain about the colorado either suck at playing bbs or just listen too much to others. that ship is a beast. its got great AA, hard hitting 16" guns that are pretty dam accurate, she turns well, she's small compared to the other tier 7s and up you'll face. i liked her so much i recently bought her back even though I'm well along in the NC grind. 

[atPrick__]

The "meta" is KM Battleships right now, they are downright immune to Destroyers if played well. Hard to citadel and stupidly OP secondaries meaning you can point and click ships and earn damage regardless of aiming prowess.

 

Yamato is still the best Battleship in game but she is not nearly as user friendly as her KM counterparts whose only true handicap in comparison to the other Nationalities is their TDS.