Atlanta in T9 match Best Use?

[Soshi_Sone]

I'm driving an Atlanta in a a T7-T9 match, with one T9 carrier on each side.  I start game next to a couple of T8 BBs west side. I call escort duty for the CV, situated further back and in middle, and maneuver to close with the CV.  One of the BBs essentially states that they are toast vs a T9 CV without my support.  So, I communicate the change in plans and turn back to the BBs.  

 

Well, where does the enemy T9 CV go?....straight to our CV.  Although our CV survives the onslaught, let's just say he wasn't at all pleased he didn't have supporting.

 

I did a good job assisting the BBs, screening for DDs, and taking out a few planes over the match.  Our CV survived, and we eventually won the match.

 

Having said all that, and considering my tactical skill is currently evolving through T5 and T6, I'm pretty much have to defer to those with more experience when it comes to be the best place for my T7 Atlanta.  

 

So, what is the right call when there is a T9 CV on both sides in a T7-T9 match.  Snuggle up to the CV...or stick with the BBs?

[Nachoo31]

I really hate CV play where they go right for the enemy CV right away.  Good way to wipe out all your planes in one trip.

[PelicanHazard]

I'm told (no personal experience, not there yet) end-tier CVs may try to snipe each other at the start of a match, so I would have probably covered the CV for the initial strike; after seeing you escorting the CV, the opposing carrier may not have tried to snipe him again, so you'd be free to follow the BBs. When this happens I do prefer the capital ships stay near each other so I can pivot my support as the situation calls for it, but they're the capital ships, I'm just support.

 

Though I have to ask, were there no other cruisers around to support the BBs? Atlanta is strong, but any cruiser at that tier would have Defensive Fire, and keeping the carrier alive through the first strike is a bit more valuable.

[iEaTDaGrudge]

I salute you for doing what a CA supposed to be doing..

 

U did a great job there..with that atlanta firing range you did make a good decision escorting your BB's..keep it up!

[10T0nHammer]

An Atlanta in a tier 9 game is the weakest ship set up ever. You cannot shoot down tier 7-8 planes. BBs will cit you at any angle and have the accuracy to do so at max range. CAs can score 5k AP salvos easy and cit you just as well. DDs will keep you spotted and you won't be able to do anything about it and everything outranges you lol its just not fun being in that ship at tier 8-9 games

 

Covering the CV is probably your best move at first though, especially at T9

[Xannari]

An Atlanta in a tier 9 game is the weakest ship set up ever. You cannot shoot down tier 7-8 planes.

 

I don't know about that. I've shot down Lexington, and even Essex squadrons whole with only Myoko's anti-air. Doesn't sound out of the ordinary.

[Sinboto]

 

I don't know about that. I've shot down Lexington, and even Essex squadrons whole with only Myoko's anti-air. Doesn't sound out of the ordinary.

 

Remember myoko was originally the T8 CA on her line. 

[Caderius]

I've had trouble with this sort of thing as well, with the Atlanta essentially being a big, fat, slower DD without the stealth benefits I often find trouble not being turned into matchwood right at the start of the match unless I guard the CV's in which case I get screamed at for not doing anything useful. Even if I move forward to screen battleships the enemy instantly switches targets as I'm so much easier to damage and zigzagging only does so much.

[10T0nHammer]

 

I don't know about that. I've shot down Lexington, and even Essex squadrons whole with only Myoko's anti-air. Doesn't sound out of the ordinary.

It's my most played ship. It simply doesn't have enough power to work as an AA boat. The Myoko has more raw AA power than the Atlanta... 

 

Only time the AA makes a difference is during defensive fire but that's in between 3:45 cooldowns.

 

Myoko also has better range on her AA guns. She gets 6 5in AA guns to Atlantas 8. All her smaller guns have a base range of 3km to Atlantas 2km and she gets like double the AA gun load out. That's right, a tier 7 IJN CA has more AA power than the tier 7 USN CL lol 

[4wilds]

I've had trouble with this sort of thing as well, with the Atlanta essentially being a big, fat, slower DD without the stealth benefits I often find trouble not being turned into matchwood right at the start of the match unless I guard the CV's in which case I get screamed at for not doing anything useful. Even if I move forward to screen battleships the enemy instantly switches targets as I'm so much easier to damage and zigzagging only does so much.

There is actually a simple solution to this, work to keep the friendly BB between you and the enemy. As a BB player I am always more than willing to act as a CL/CA's shield if it means they can survive and offer support longer. As long as you do your job screening DDs and planes and don't accidentally shoot and set your allied BBs on fire (yes it happens) then you shouldn't hear a single complaint from a BB player.

[G0lfSierra1]

If my carrier decides he is going to sit still, I leave him to his fate but if he gets his tail in gear and moves, I will cover him for the first strike that I know will be coming his way. What I do next is classified.

[atPrick__]

Attaching yourself to a CV is boring, playing in between the CV and the main fleet works as well and you have the chance to help if needed.

 Find DDs and kill'em, Concealment Expert is a must for Atlanta and with it you can at least pick your engagements. The ship is so schizo it doesn't really matter all that much what Tiers you are facing, unless the MM blesses you and sticks you in a T5 match.