Pensacola: A SuperCharged DD?

[HBZK100]

I've half way upgraded this Pen, and I've had really good games in it, but also super bad games in it.

 

The Armor is really a pain, your basically a DD with how fragile this thing is.  Armor angling is basically useless against BBs.

The only thing I can see going for it is it's fast turn time.

 

I have two questions:

 

1. How do you play the Pen?  I've been playing it like a DD in many ways (moving around a lot) and it somewhat works.

2. What modifications should I purchase?

[TheTitan0914]

http://forum.worldofwarships.com/index.php?/topic/73527-pensacola/

 

This link will take you to a thread I made a little while ago. Let me know if you need any strategy/tactics to use in this beautiful ship.

[MadCaptain_2016]

1. How do you play the Pen?  I've been playing it like a DD in many ways (moving around a lot) and it somewhat works.

2. What modifications should I purchase?

 

1) Because the firing range isn't too bad as far as CAs go, I'd say go for CAs.  I usually look to see where the BBs are grouping and go to the other side so I can pick on CAs.  You're also just about invis up to your firing range iirc.

 

2) Whatever improves your game style.

[HBZK100]

 

1) Because the firing range isn't too bad as far as CAs go, I'd say go for CAs.  I usually look to see where the BBs are grouping and go to the other side so I can pick on CAs.  You're also just about invis up to your firing range iirc.

 

2) Whatever improves your game style.

 

You can invisi fire? What is the stock detectability?

[OgreMkV]

The rudder shift mod is very useful. Helps turn quicker.

One thing I've noticed is that you don't want to continuously wiggle back and forth like a destroyer does (dodging shots all the while). The Pepsi is still much larger than a DD. Constant back and forth doesn't take you out of dispersion pattern for most ships. What I do is half left for 5-10 seconds, then straight for 10 seconds (at extreme range), then right for 5-10 seconds, straight, repeat. If you're not at extreme range, you're doing it wrong and are about to get creamed. 

You also do not want to go up against groups in any way, shape, or form. Pick off singletons and stay well behind the rest. Ideally, you want a destroyer and at least one other cruiser between you and every enemy on the map. 

Another important mod is the turret traverse, you need it (and the Captain's skill for it) to keep your guns on target.

I also have the incoming Captain's skill. When that flashes, turn by one half. Full turn reduces your speed too much. 

[Gavroche_]

Sail around no closer than 13 km from enemy BBs and spam HE.

[FailApprentice]

http://forum.worldofwarships.com/index.php?/topic/73527-pensacola/

 

This link will take you to a thread I made a little while ago. Let me know if you need any strategy/tactics to use in this beautiful ship.

 

Still doesn't fix how broken the ship is. I'm convinced the ship is bugged. I have had more [edited]RNG shots against the pepsi than in my Cleveland. I'll go from full to almost no health on a overmatch, in my Cleveland? Maybe 1/4 of my health from any overmatch. The pepsi feels like a Russian CA/CL, strong guns but a weak chin. Don't know how you can say the ship is good at all..I'd say its worse than the Cleveland in my book.

[Ericson38]

I end up on the edge of the map in mine....warning, reduction of engine power, get back into game ! Loose all the time.

 

Out of this world detection range, nice HP, great for BB opening salvos. Have to hide around like you are on the wrong planet. Not so Aoba or Myoko.

[sargentmki]

 

Still doesn't fix how broken the ship is. I'm convinced the ship is bugged. I have had more [edited]RNG shots against the pepsi than in my Cleveland. I'll go from full to almost no health on a overmatch, in my Cleveland? Maybe 1/4 of my health from any overmatch. The pepsi feels like a Russian CA/CL, strong guns but a weak chin. Don't know how you can say the ship is good at all..I'd say its worse than the Cleveland in my book.

 

Cleveland has tier 10 armor layout, at tier 6.... Pensacola has the best agility and fire setting capability of all the tier 7 Cruisers. With solid AP and overall solid guns in a balanced layout with fast turning turrets. Cleve is a mid-close range brawler, but terrible at setting fires and hitting things at range.

 

Pensacola isn't a DD as your spotted nearly 24/7, its a "soap bar ship", you either slip around enemy rounds by constant turning and staying at a distance while shooting, or you explode cuse you have terrible armor and a massive citidel.

 

The Pensacola plays totally differently than all the higher USN ships. I found great success in playing at near max fire range and focusing almost purely on dodging rounds. I played almost exclusively at 13km to max range against any BB, shied away from hard hitters (Colorado) and played ultimately like a slippery soap bar, constantly turning away far before anyone is trying to focus at me.

I'd also turn sooner rather than later in almost all cases. Even if that means turning full broad against a cruiser at 15km, if it means I don't have to turn at 12km. Obviously the best guns of the tier will hit and pwn you, so pay attention to them at all times.

 

If you don't utilize the great turn rate (best of the tier, and one of the best in the game for all Cruisers) you will explode regardless of the angle your getting shot at. While driving away, angle a little to present a "decent" target, and when they fire, turn away and see the rounds fly by. Rinse and repeat all the while getting solid shots on to set fires and AP pwn your Cruiser counter parts.

 

If your closer to 12km to an enemy and aren't turned away or about to dive into cover  you will get punished and will possible die.

 

Another good rule is at the start of the match the moment your spotted just turn about and away from the enemy BBs, as they will shoot at you. With your great rudder shift you should be OK, but do not drive straight while spotted at the start, BBs will focus you for free exps and you will blow up.

 

A good comparisons is the Pensacola will lose to the Cleveland 9/10 in a full broad at sub-10kms, but the Pensacola will easily win at anything past that due to better flight times.

 

The did just buff the armor of the ship, from 1 to 6mm. Im not 100% sure where that applies, but its something. Id still play the ship as an agile long range fighter. Its possibly the closest you'll get in the whole line to such a ship for better or worse.

[HazeGrayUnderway]

This ship was a chore.  I liked her guns for her Tier, the way she handled.  Protection is about as good as a wet paper bag.  The worst is her awful Concealment Ranges.  There are Battleships that have better Concealment Ranges than Pensacola.  This ship is easily spotted.  Tack that on top of her well-deserved reputation in holding up under fire like an ant on a stove top, it's not good.  That reputation gets people to shoot a lot at her because they're looking for an easy Citadel to 1-salvo your [edited]from any angle.  It's Stat Padding.  It's that bad.

 

Treat her like Atlanta.  Do not be the first thing the enemy team sees.  Sometimes it can't be avoided, sure.  But minimize those chances and the best you can do is hope the enemy doesn't target you as often.  Good luck on that.

[centarina]

it is good anti CA and DD ship, but I tend to avoid BBs as long as possible.    the AP is totally wicked.  I've killed myokos, p-cola and yock    by multiple cits and penetration.    2 volley on broadside myoko wrecked it.      I tend to keep to the flank and stick with friendlies.  AP is now even effective against DDs.          decent ship overall

[PhatRabbit12]

Sail around no closer than 13 km from enemy BBs and spam HE.

 

Bad advice, it has amazing AP.  I usually stick with the BBs and target their cruisers.  Citadels for days.  Never charge forward and don't try to be the first one in, people know your armor is weak.  Wiggle around like crazy. Obviously take the hull then guns upgrades, range upgrade is optional IMHO.

 

For upgrades I use

Main Battery Mod 1

AA

Propulsion

Rudder Shift

 

 

 

 

 

 

[XxShaihuludxX]

 

Still doesn't fix how broken the ship is. I'm convinced the ship is bugged. I have had more [edited]RNG shots against the pepsi than in my Cleveland. I'll go from full to almost no health on a overmatch, in my Cleveland? Maybe 1/4 of my health from any overmatch. The pepsi feels like a Russian CA/CL, strong guns but a weak chin. Don't know how you can say the ship is good at all..I'd say its worse than the Cleveland in my book.

 

Yeah, after a bunch of matches in it, its a horribly weak piece of garbage. I dont know how or why people say its guns are good, they are not. I have never gotten a citadel on AP, 5 full broadsides into a fuso, and only about 300-500 damage per salvo with 6-8 hits per. HE: I have yet to start a fire in her. it says 14, but i think they forgot to add the 4 in the code. It gets better when you fully upgrade it but it still needs help lol

[hyfung]

Mhm.... just let the pics say

Freshly done game...

BTW

My win rate is dropping for the week... it was 21/29