Dunkerque Replay & a Bow fighting question

[Rolkatsuki]

Hiya all~

 

Here's the replay: http://wowreplays.com/Replay/14755

Excuse the Kancolle Enchant UI mod, so yay~ 103.6k damage done all because of the players showing me their sides for some reason, the moment a enemy Dunkerque ran out from behind an island showing his side to me made me cracked mfufufu~ . I wish all my enemy teams can be like that but we all know it won't happen. />-\\

 

Here's the question, So I was bow fighting against another BB who was also bow fighting back at my Dunkerque, 

                                 do I: 1. continue to fire AP at his superstructure

                                         2. continue to fire HE at him and cause as much fires as I can

                                         3. fire HE until he's burnt his repair party and still continues to burn from fires, then switch to AP for his superstructure? 

 

  

[MagentaTears]

The way I've been playing Dunkerque is by shooting AP at any broadside battleship or cruiser and HE and any bow fighting battleships. It seems to work quite well especially with her fire chance. 

[Grevester]

It's really situational. If your only target is that one BB, then just work him with HE. But if there are other targets that will broadside you, it's better to keep AP and wait for shots of opportunity. The whole point if being bow in is to negate damage, so if you're shooting at something bow on to you with other targets available, its a mistake.

 

Edit: It can seem like a bad idea to hold your fire in a BB considering their long reload, but if you can pick out a target moving toward you (like a cruiser) you know that eventually he will turn away and expose his side.

[ADM_Zakk_Zero]

In another thread, I asked about how frequent does the Dunk take penetrations through the bow.  While many players say it can happen often, even more people made the claim that all tier 6 BBs have poor armor at the bow and could take serious hits from "larger" guns. I suspect that means 13"/330mm or greater.  If that is indeed true, unleashing HE to start a fire then switching to AP sounds like a reasonable and practical strategy if facing a similarly tiered BB.  For significantly higher tier BBs, I'd say spray them with HE them until you see enough broadside to make AP practical.

[fish_Jones]

Hmm. I've bought the Dunkerque, but haven't played any games yet.

 

1. If I'm close and confident that I can knock out their bow guns I use AP (or if I know I can pen through the bow)

2. If I'm not confident or at a distance where I might not get a lot of hits and want to maximize damage I use HE

 

Since the Dunkerque only has 13" guns AND I don't have any experience with her, I'll let you decide where you should draw the line should you consider this.

[ADM_Zakk_Zero]

I've only had a few games in it so far, but found that using HE for oncoming BBs, well, any ship type, seemed to generate more damage. When they showed a little broadside, I AP'd them until the cows came home. I had  45k, 65k, and 97k damage games by doing this. I also unfortunately had a couple of sub 20K games, but sometimes the nature of the map and placement of enemies limits how much you can do it a ship of this design.  It's clear, though, by showing no broadside and just moving forward and then reversing a bit at the best possible angle will allow you minimize damage and survive. I easily took out 2 opposing Dunks with healthy HP remaining the very moment  I could start to see enough of their broadsides- despite the Dunk battery's poor dispersion. 

[Rolkatsuki]

Ok I have read all your replies guys thank you, and will spam HE against a enemy bb thats bow in to me unless there other enemy ships nearby thats sailing with their sides showing to me which in that case AP for them.

[Jakajan]

This, basic firing strategy is helpful for the german bb Schornhorst as well.

[_Rumple_]

Hmmm, I keep the scharnhorst moving lest some BB takes an interest in me. I can see me playing the Dunkerque the same way. Sitting still while doing minor movement to throw off incoming rounds, while viable, invites a DD to torp you.

[khaenn35]

Meanwhile me in the replay is getting into so much noob trouble *facepalm* GG Suki