Tips for a New Player Going With USN Battleships?

[CK16]

Hello guys! I have been playing world of tanks for years now (not that that matters in ships!) but I am here to ask a simple question. I am getting into well more intense games now that I am in tier 5 with the New York, as much as I enjoy the ship it seems that it has become harder for me to hit targets with it compared to the Wyoming and even South Carolina. I try to hang back at my max range as at least watching a few videos on the game for BB's it is best and they can get a better chance at citadel hits. I usually use AP as well even at close range, though not fun for me since usually it means its a DD on a drive by torp spamming run and I am lucky if I can dodge it, but at close range I think anyone knows an AP round to the DD side results are nasty IF I can get my turrets on him.

 

But my issue lately has been, I have been having mixed results but maybe it was the puppies last few night's, but I have been having a difficult time getting the same type of games I had in the Wyoming. Specially now firing at ranges of 15km how do you guys lead your targets? I have been using the little ruler across my screen and depending on their range matching with the about number on the ruler. But I have yet to find out the best solution of where to level it at with the enemy ship, water level of the other ship? Its super structure? Middle of the hull? Just some tips would be nice, like when fighting even cruisers that out range me and can put out FAR more shells then I could even dream of (that Cleveland RoF O.o) its frustrating as isn't the BB suppose to be the heavy hitter at far rangers yet feel Cruisers do a far better job, at-least at mid and low tiers.

 

Also when do US BB's get really fearsome to face? Seems like they are not to feared unless you are far under tiered. I am going for the Iowa and well hope its a decent ship, at least it seems decent from videos of it. But I need to learn these in's and outs of US bb's and help would be nice!

 

Thanks guys

-Ck16

[lrdgrd]

First off! welcome! glad you re enjoying the game!

 

One thing you'll notice is that at higher tier (very noticeable going from T4 to T5-6) is that most of the ships you were used to fight with are getting faster and longer range.  The hard part is to get used to that difference (and it can take a little while also).  Using the "grid" as u said is of imperative use! More so with the ALT key so u can determine the distance of the ship, and appox shell flight time.  With that in mind and as information you can use, then lead the turrets to where you think the ship will be. 

Depending on the speed of the ship you are firing what i do is this:

• US BBs and slow targets, max zoom and fire the lead to the same number as indicated in the shell travel time.  (ie: if the distance travel time is 6-7s, then have the reticule pointed with the 6-7 over the part of the ship you are firing).
• Fast CAs (omaha onwards), i use one less mouse roll or zoom level and fire at the number said (for ships like the Myoko or Atago, 1-2 seconds ahead even).  
• Destroyers, the first level zoom and fire at the number said.

 

This is obviously changes depending on the shell velocity and speed/distance of the ships, but as a general rule of thumb it works pretty well. 

 

My 2 cents..

 

[PelicanHazard]

I try to hang back at my max range

 

Stop doing that. Japanese battleships hilariously outrange you until the later tiers, and sitting at max range is a good way to have dispersion ruin your chances of hitting a target. American BBs tend more towards brawling, since their armor is generally better. If you can (you need team support or destroyers/flamethrower cruisers will eat you alive), close in to ~10-12km or less. Learn to angle, since if you angle properly, the enemy's shells will just bounce off you for no damage. Pick targets showing you their side and learn where to aim to citadel them. (Guides help for this, but it's largely practice making perfect.) You don't have to fire a full broadside every time; a properly angled battleship that can only fire its front guns into an opponent's citadel is almost guaranteed to win the battle even if the opponent can fire full broadsides into you.

 

Again, pushing forward like that needs team support or you die quickly, but the flipside is that pushing forward you can tank damage meant for your teammates (since enemies may fire on you instead of them) and help keep them alive longer so they help you sink ships. It's a positive feedback loop of teamwork.

 

Also don't go off to the edges of the map unless you need to; until you reach the Tier 8 North Carolina, American battleships are slooow, so going to the very edges of the map means you can be out of the fight for minutes if there are no enemies there.

[Mesrith]

With enough practice you should get a feel for leading your target.  I don't even look at the "ruler".  You want to aim for your enemy's waterline in most cases.  If it's at very long range you want to hit the deck instead, so aim accordingly.

 

US battleships do better when they can close the distance, so don't try to hang back at max range.  I'd say the line gets "fearsome" at the New Mexico and up, with even the Colorado being recently buffed.  At tier 6 and beyond you'll be able to handle cruisers better, and at about tier 8 battleships start ruling the waves.

 

We have a whole forum full of battleship discussion, with it's own subforum on American battleships specifically.  There should be plenty of information in there if you don't mind digging around a little, especially if you have a question on a certain ship.

[AegisFCS]

There are 3 things you need for accurate shooting; distance, time of flight and speed of target. In setting there is a box to click that will give you more info on your firing line "alternate battle interface mode" . It will show you exact distance and projectile flight time. This is the same info that comes up if you press the alt key. It isn't the magic button, but it will help you be more accurate in the long run.  Target speed is one of the hardest to learn but if you watch the smoke stacks of the target you can tell how much throttle they are using. No smoke means 0 and a nearly flat smoke trail is full. I've noticed a trend of reverse fighting (which is one of the dumbest tactics you can use) and then the smoke will be blowing to the bow of the ship. There are also a lot of cross hair mods that can help by extending the lines. 

[vtach2014]

CK16, thanks for the excellent questions. I'm new to this game and had the same. Thank you to the players responding, the info is much appreciated.

[IceSerpen7]

 But I have yet to find out the best solution of where to level it at with the enemy ship, water level of the other ship? Its super structure? Middle of the hull?

 

Depends on the shell arc, i.e. will vary for different ships / ranges. The general idea is to aim for waterline if trajectory is flat, aim for top of the hull if shells fall at about 45 degree angle, aim just a bit higher than the hull if shells fall (almost) vertically.

[Molotok_Yaniye]

 

Stop doing that. Japanese battleships hilariously outrange you until the later tiers, and sitting at max range is a good way to have dispersion ruin your chances of hitting a target. American BBs tend more towards brawling, since their armor is generally better. If you can (you need team support or destroyers/flamethrower cruisers will eat you alive), close in to ~10-12km or less. Learn to angle, since if you angle properly, the enemy's shells will just bounce off you for no damage. Pick targets showing you their side and learn where to aim to citadel them. (Guides help for this, but it's largely practice making perfect.) You don't have to fire a full broadside every time; a properly angled battleship that can only fire its front guns into an opponent's citadel is almost guaranteed to win the battle even if the opponent can fire full broadsides into you.

 

Again, pushing forward like that needs team support or you die quickly, but the flipside is that pushing forward you can tank damage meant for your teammates (since enemies may fire on you instead of them) and help keep them alive longer so they help you sink ships. It's a positive feedback loop of teamwork.

 

Also don't go off to the edges of the map unless you need to; until you reach the Tier 8 North Carolina, American battleships are slooow, so going to the very edges of the map means you can be out of the fight for minutes if there are no enemies there.

 

With enough practice you should get a feel for leading your target.  I don't even look at the "ruler".  You want to aim for your enemy's waterline in most cases.  If it's at very long range you want to hit the deck instead, so aim accordingly.

 

US battleships do better when they can close the distance, so don't try to hang back at max range.  I'd say the line gets "fearsome" at the New Mexico and up, with even the Colorado being recently buffed.  At tier 6 and beyond you'll be able to handle cruisers better, and at about tier 8 battleships start ruling the waves.

 

We have a whole forum full of battleship discussion, with it's own subforum on American battleships specifically.  There should be plenty of information in there if you don't mind digging around a little, especially if you have a question on a certain ship.

 

These are the correct answers, as far as I know.  US Battleships have good-great hull armor, so optimal range is 8-12 km.  Learn to angle (present minimal aspect, preferably bow-on until you are ready to fire the rear turret(s), then change course only enough to uncover the desired turret(s), fire and re-angle.  Don't stay zoomed-in the whole time, or a Destroyer will introduce you to his torpedoes.  Zoom out, if a DD is near, ctrl-right click him to direct secondaries on him.  

 

As for aiming, you'll get used to where you need to fire after a time.  I suggest following some of the suggestions made (regarding the ruler-bar) at first.  With practice, you will get better.

 

Keep asking those questions.