South Carolina seems really, really bad

[Scout80913]

So, I figured I'd give this game a whirl.  So far, it's beautiful and all, but wow...battleships seems obnoxious if the SC is anything to go by.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Too slow to get to the fight and the guns don't have the range.  Half the time, the fight is over before I can even get within range.  Play aggressively to try and compensate for slow speed, you get annihilated by destroyer torpedo barrages that you are too slow to dodge.  Worse, the guns don't seem to be able to hit the broadside of a barn.  If I had a nickel for every barrage that straddled a target, I'd be a millionaire.  Even at point blank range they are unreliable at best.

 

One wonders if it gets better.  If so, then I've got to ask...why make such a piece of unplayable trash the first battleship in the line?  Pretty off-putting to new players.  I feel like I'm INIFNITELY better off in the good old St. Louis.

[Seraphil]

Kawachi and South Carolina are the worst BBs relative to the tier, and just overall, in the game.  Hopefully WG notices this sooner rather than later and gives them a buff of some kind.

 

Think of it as a "start at the worst, then everything from here on is better and better" sort of thing.

[Destroyer_Atlanta]

maybe the BB playstyle just isnt for you then tbh, also american BBs really dont get fast til T8-9, but IJN BBs get fast by T5 lol(other tradeoffs though)

[MexicanPanda]

As Seraphil said, the tier 3 BBs are the worst ships in the game. If you can free xp past them, then do so. If you can't... well prepare to be frustrated. I can't speak for the US line since I haven't played with those other than the Arkansas, but the Myogi at tier 4 in the IJN line is leaps and bounds better than the Kawachi. It has decent speed that can get you where you need to be just in time. The range on your guns is actually longer than most of the ships you'll meet except other IJN BBs and maybe some higher tier cruisers.

 

If you can bear through those piles of crap at tier 3, you will be greatly rewarded afterwards. Also, BBs are getting some accuracy buffs in the next patch, so there's that too.

[Harkonen_siegetank]

So, I figured I'd give this game a whirl.  So far, it's beautiful and all, but wow...battleships seems obnoxious if the SC is anything to go by.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Too slow to get to the fight and the guns don't have the range.  Half the time, the fight is over before I can even get within range.  Play aggressively to try and compensate for slow speed, you get annihilated by destroyer torpedo barrages that you are too slow to dodge.  Worse, the guns don't seem to be able to hit the broadside of a barn.  If I had a nickel for every barrage that straddled a target, I'd be a millionaire.  Even at point blank range they are unreliable at best.

 

 

One wonders if it gets better.  If so, then I've got to ask...why make such a piece of unplayable trash the first battleship in the line?  Pretty off-putting to new players.  I feel like I'm INIFNITELY better off in the good old St. Louis.

They are fixing that on the next patch, BB guns now more accurate up to 3km.

 

In regards to SC, yeah it's bad but after that it'll be better bar Colorado.

[ComradeHX]

You should be like this:

[Scout80913]

Thanks for the heads up, gents.  Hopefully the patch addresses some things, then.  Naval combat may not be my cup of tea, but I was actually rather enjoying the game until I hit the South Carolina.  The combination of awful stats and characteristics makes playing that thing like digging your eyes out with a spoon.  I shudder to think that the Kawachi is worse.  I'll stick it out a while longer and see if the patch or a new battleship helps.

 

 

If anyone at WG is listening - making low tier battleship play this bad is probably not for the best.  Getting a whole new class of ship should be exciting - not an exercise in masochism.

[JojoTheMongol]

I didn't mind the South Carolina at all. Fully upgraded its decent for the tier. You need to get engine in it as soon as possible, then upgrade the range. The stock range and speed are downright abysmal. Don't try to be too aggressive. Stay on the outskirts of battle and fire at max range. You simply do not have the speed to disengage so you can to make your shots count. I also, tried to stay with other BBs or Cruisers. Having a buffer in front of you is needed, especially against DDs. They are the bane of your existence. Between shots they can really close the distance on you and launch a spread of torps, which at 18 knots you'll have a hard time dodging. DDs are your worst enemy in this ship, followed by a CV if they show up.

 

With no AA you really just got to hope that they don't target you. It gets a lot better in the Wyoming. The Wyoming is still slow, but its got two more turrets. So when you do shoot at someone they'll know it. The Wyoming can also take quite a bit more punishment and has decent AAA once you upgrade to hull B. However, they are hitting the Wyoming with the nerf bat. Killing its range and its turret traverse speed. Don't know why this is needed. I already get shat on by Clevelands on a regular basis in my Wyoming.

[4wilds]

I preferred the South Carolina over the Kawachi, I did well in my SC but the Kawachi was a test in anger management. I free XP'd up to the Kongo (T5 IJN BB) but played through every USN BB to my current Colorado (T7). I can honestly say they get a lot better, just going from the South Carolina to the Wyoming is a huge improvement, and then to the New York...let's just say if you stick with it you will be happy, provided BB play is where you belong.

 

While BBs are tempting with their massive armor and huge guns, they aren't for everyone.

[BossmanSlim]

South Carolina is better than the Kawachi; both of these ships don't take too much EXP to get through, so while not the most fun, they are a mild inconvenience in the grand scheme of things.  South Carolina appears to have a more favorable match maker standing as it gets paired down more, while the Kawachi gets paired up more.  Almost all the ships lines don't really hit their stride until tier V, with tier III being a short burst of high pain and tier IV being a longer period of less severe pain.

[BullHalsey]

I like both the SC and the Kawachi; upgraded they are both very playable among ships of their own tier as well as those of a tier one or in some cases two above.  Problem I do have is that it seems to me the ships are included in tier V and VI battles far too often once upgraded.  The Kawachi is particularly is helpless in a tier V let alone VI engagement, having neither the range to stay relatively safe and still contribute, nor the speed to prevent a single tier VI cruiser from reducing it to molten steel in a minute or so.

 

I wish there were a way to select a tier III battle for them (especially for the Kawachi), and I would use them both more often.

[Victua]

The entry level BBs of every nation will not be as good as the cruisers, read other forums and you will see why.

 

the TL DR of it is:  Cruisers are WGs 'everymans' ship..BBs are only meant to fill 20% and DDs and CVs about the same together of each match.  To give people with different playstyles something to play.  Cruisers are and will be the 'most efficient ship'

[BarbedWireRat]

I think the SC helps to set expectations for the US BB line up through Colorado in terms of style of play.  Slow, lots of dispersion, but good armor and hard hitting main battery.  It is also the first weeder.   If you can't make it work for you...or at least if you can't see it through to Wyoming, like others said maybe US BB style of play is not your thing.  But, each tier gets better until you get to Colorado.  It is also important to know, so you don't get discouraged, that stock New York (T5) and stock New Mex (T6) will be worse than your prior-tier fully upgraded ship, so when you first level up to them, you'll feel like South Carolina all over again until you are able to get a few upgrades.  Use free XP on those New York and New Mexico modules;  you will also want to save free XP to use for the Colorado grind.

 

Push through SC, get to Wyoming and get the Wyoming fully upgraded.  If you still don't enjoy playing the fully upgraded Wyoming, then you might want to focus on another line.

[JoeBlue]

South Carolina, wasn't that bad for me. The Wyoming grind was horrible for me. That shot dispersion seemed to only get worse the longer I was playing it, so far the Wyoming has been the ship I have hated the most on US line. New York is awesome for me and I just unlocked the New Mexico.  

 

Kawachi is easy to play, load HE and hunt CLs,CAs, and DDs. I had a blast playing it that way. The Myogi on the other hand was pain stock, but got awesome once the Commander got better and the ship was fully upgraded. Love the Kongo. 

[Hangoverhomey]

My only gripe with the South Carolina is poor range and that it needs more hit points, it's a battleship with twice the displacement of a st Louis and yet the Louis has 500 more?... err what?

 

I play my SC with a really good crew, equipment ect. and I managed to get 6 kills in a tier 3 fight and made 184k last night (that is not the norm by an means).    Up closer a broad side from it will shred a cruiser or destroyer.

 

Again though, not enough hit points for a battleship, it's really quite silly considering how slow you are and you just get HE spammed and torpedo to death.

[thewargod2000]

So, I figured I'd give this game a whirl.  So far, it's beautiful and all, but wow...battleships seems obnoxious if the SC is anything to go by.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Too slow to get to the fight and the guns don't have the range.  Half the time, the fight is over before I can even get within range.  Play aggressively to try and compensate for slow speed, you get annihilated by destroyer torpedo barrages that you are too slow to dodge.  Worse, the guns don't seem to be able to hit the broadside of a barn.  If I had a nickel for every barrage that straddled a target, I'd be a millionaire.  Even at point blank range they are unreliable at best.

 

 

One wonders if it gets better.  If so, then I've got to ask...why make such a piece of unplayable trash the first battleship in the line?  Pretty off-putting to new players.  I feel like I'm INIFNITELY better off in the good old St. Louis.

 

South Carolina and Kawachi are not designed in game to be played on the larger maps but because of the numbers and the wait time promises they get thrown in where they are needed. Often times they are in T6 games where they outright can't perform. The BB lines get better the next couple of tiers up. Have faith and give it time.

[w4golf]

I liked the Kawachi better for one.... it didn't feel as sluggish, and hey, I've got 7 wins in 7 matches from that thing... but then moved on.  Still only on tier 5's, but Wyoming is my favorite, then Kongo thus far.

[alexf24]

I preferred the Kawachi to the South Crapolina but both are long gone.

 

I am at Kongo and New York, both of which I like. I also like the Ishizuchi (T4 Premium). It is not expensive as a Captain trainer, and it is comparable in performance to Wyoming and Myogi, with pros over both, but no AA.

[Z3r0Fear]

maybe the BB playstyle just isnt for you then tbh, also american BBs really dont get fast til T8-9, but IJN BBs get fast by T5 lol(other tradeoffs though)

 

No it isn't for me but I'm forced to play through it to reach CV so really that's the only reason I'm even in this line at the moment.

[Hangoverhomey]

I preferred the Kawachi to the South Crapolina but both are long gone.

 

I am at Kongo and New York, both of which I like. I also like the Ishizuchi (T4 Premium). It is not expensive as a Captain trainer, and it is comparable in performance to Wyoming and Myogi, with pros over both, but no AA.

 

 

Yeah I enjoy my Ishizuchi as well, it's a solid ship and a keeper.  Wasn't even all that expensive I suppose considering wargamings outlandish prices all of the time.

[JojoTheMongol]

My only gripe with the South Carolina is poor range and that it needs more hit points, it's a battleship with twice the displacement of a st Louis and yet the Louis has 500 more?... err what?

 

I play my SC with a really good crew, equipment ect. and I managed to get 6 kills in a tier 3 fight and made 184k last night (that is not the norm by an means).    Up closer a broad side from it will shred a cruiser or destroyer.

 

 

Again though, not enough hit points for a battleship, it's really quite silly considering how slow you are and you just get HE spammed and torpedo to death.

 

 

The hitpoints are pretty low on the SC, but it actually has armor. The St. Louis can be penned by pretty much everything. The SC does need a 3-5k buff in HPs though.

[Submersible_Fox]

I actually really liked playing the SC, but then again everyone else seems to think it's a... Baddleship.

 

*Gets his coat*

[_Warchylde_]

I've learned a lot from this conversation. My thanks and a hearty salute to all of you.

Since I am concentrating on light cruisers and DDs, I was thinking of only pursuing BBs up only one nation's tree for the time being. 

My question is this:  I can get either a Myogi or a Wyoming. Which would be better suited to my play style (mobility and maneuvering).??

[Granitebeard]

Kiwi is the best. At least too me. I love that thing, I also love how people hate it, it is funny, the SoCo is worse, but not that bad.

[Submersible_Fox]

I've learned a lot from this conversation. My thanks and a hearty salute to all of you.

Since I am concentrating on light cruisers and DDs, I was thinking of only pursuing BBs up only one nation's tree for the time being. 

My question is this:  I can get either a Myogi or a Wyoming. Which would be better suited to my play style (mobility and maneuvering).??

 

The Wyoming is slow and lumbering, but it has a lot of firepower with 12 x 12" guns, but it is VERY slow, like the SC, the Myogi is fast and IN THEORY has a lot of firepower with 6 x 14" guns, in practice I HATED the Myogi and love the Wyoming, but then I loved the SC too and everyone else seems to hate it. I'll give you this advice, if you like hitting your target, ever, the Myogi is probably not the best ship for you. That said US battleships don't break 21 knots until tier EIGHT, even the Colorado only goes 21 knots while most of the IJN battleships will go 28 easy, Kongo, Myogi, and Izumo will break 30 knots (although it's said that the Izumo may be the worst battleship in the game so theres also that.)