ST - Italian cruisers Part 2 and British Heavy Cruisers

[Tanatoy]

Italian cruisers. Part 2

 

Update 0.8.10 will continue the Italian update cycle. 

 

The event will consist of directives, a new collection, and Italian cruisers which will be out of early access.

 

Items of the collection dedicated to the Italian Navy, consisting of 16 elements will only be available in the event's containers. For completing the collection, you will get the new unique Italian commander - Luigi Sansonetti.

 

 

 

The commander has three talents:

 

• A one-time duration increase of consumables after a fixed number of hits to opponents from the main caliber guns;
• A one-time increase to the firing range of main caliber guns after the destruction of an enemy;
• Increased reload speed of main caliber guns and torpedo tubes after reaching the "High Caliber" achievement.

 

Please note that the commander is still in development and the exact numbers will be announced after testing.

 

British Heavy Cruisers

 

We are pleased to present you a new branch in the UK tech tree - heavy cruisers: 

 

• Hawkins, tier V: 7x1 190 mm guns; Torpedoes 2x2 533 mm; Armor belt 76 mm.
• Devonshire, tier VI: 4x2 203 mm guns; Torpedoes 2x4 533 mm; Armor belt 114 mm.
• Surrey, tier VII: 4x2 203 mm guns. Torpedoes 2x4 533 mm. Armor belt 152 mm.
• Bedford, tier VIII: 3x3 203 mm guns. Torpedoes 2x4 533 mm. Armor belt 152 mm. 
• Drake, tier IX: 3x3 234 mm guns. Torpedoes 2x4 533 mm. Armor belt 177 mm.
• Goliath, tier X: 4x3 234 mm guns. Torpedoes 2x4 533 mm. Armor belt 203 mm.

 

As well as the above-mentioned new additions is the tier VI cruiser, London.

 

The initial concept, which will be tested, assumes that these ships will have good belt and deck armor, high-explosive and armor-piercing shells with high maximum damage, achieved by the caliber of the guns. For those of you that are familiar with Royal Navy cruisers, the new heavy cruisers from tier VIII-X will also have the branded "British" repair party.

 

Owners of British heavy cruisers will be able to choose between the "Defensive AA Defense Fire" and "Fighter" consumables. In a separate slot will be "Hydroacoustic Search" consumable, the characteristics of which will be similar to those of British destroyers: a short detection range and long action time. Such equipment is intended for protection against torpedoes.

 

So, to sum it up - high survivability, powerful guns, long-duration hydroacoustic search and the repair party, capable of repairing a huge amount of hit points, will make these ships good middle-range fighters.

 

Please note that the information in the Development Blog is preliminary and subject to change.

[ColonelPete]

The RN CA sub tree is a real surprise. Did not expect them, because there were only few existing classes.

[Benser33]

First Thunderer and Ark Royal and now british CAs, what a time to be alive.

[zFireWyvern]

Bless you WG for adding Devonshire, you have made me very happy indeed

[piritskenyer]

14 minutes ago, Tanatoy said:

British Heavy Cruisers

 

We are pleased to present you a new branch in the UK tech tree - heavy cruisers: 

 

• Hawkins, tier V: 7x1 190 mm guns; Torpedoes 2x2 533 mm; Armor belt 76 mm.
• Devonshire, tier VI: 4x2 203 mm guns; Torpedoes 2x4 533 mm; Armor belt 114 mm.
• Surrey, tier VII: 4x2 203 mm guns. Torpedoes 2x4 533 mm. Armor belt 152 mm.
• Bedford, tier VIII: 3x3 203 mm guns. Torpedoes 2x4 533 mm. Armor belt 152 mm. 
• Drake, tier IX: 3x3 234 mm guns. Torpedoes 2x4 533 mm. Armor belt 177 mm.
• Goliath, tier X: 4x3 234 mm guns. Torpedoes 2x4 533 mm. Armor belt 203 mm.

 

I cannot describe the feeling in my lower areas right now.

 

Time to propose HMAS Australia as a T7 prem now I s'pose

[Munchboii]

WOOO thanks WG!

[HaachamaShipping]

22 minutes ago, Tanatoy said:

British Heavy Cruisers

 

We are pleased to present you a new branch in the UK tech tree - heavy cruisers: 

 

• Hawkins, tier V: 7x1 190 mm guns; Torpedoes 2x2 533 mm; Armor belt 76 mm.
• Devonshire, tier VI: 4x2 203 mm guns; Torpedoes 2x4 533 mm; Armor belt 114 mm.
• Surrey, tier VII: 4x2 203 mm guns. Torpedoes 2x4 533 mm. Armor belt 152 mm.
• Bedford, tier VIII: 3x3 203 mm guns. Torpedoes 2x4 533 mm. Armor belt 152 mm. 
• Drake, tier IX: 3x3 234 mm guns. Torpedoes 2x4 533 mm. Armor belt 177 mm.
• Goliath, tier X: 4x3 234 mm guns. Torpedoes 2x4 533 mm. Armor belt 203 mm.

 

As well as the above-mentioned new additions is the tier VI cruiser, London.

 

The initial concept, which will be tested, assumes that these ships will have good belt and deck armor, high-explosive and armor-piercing shells with high maximum damage, achieved by the caliber of the guns. For those of you that are familiar with Royal Navy cruisers, the new heavy cruisers from tier VIII-X will also have the branded "British" repair party.

 

Owners of British heavy cruisers will be able to choose between the "Defensive AA Defense Fire" and "Fighter" consumables. In a separate slot will be "Hydroacoustic Search" consumable, the characteristics of which will be similar to those of British destroyers: a short detection range and long action time. Such equipment is intended for protection against torpedoes.

 

So, to sum it up - high survivability, powerful guns, long-duration hydroacoustic search and the repair party, capable of repairing a huge amount of hit points, will make these ships good middle-range fighters.

British CAs are very appreciated and it sounds like a good concept, but I can hear Hipper crying in the corner. Because not getting overmatched by half the guns, having good AP damage and some decent hp was kind of its thing (which wasn't even very useful), but now we get a line that likely has actually troll armour, also good HE and a repair party? 

[invicta2012]

Cruisergeddon! Now all I need is the missing Condottieri class cruiser (Luigi Cadorna) and we're there.

 

A word about the names, though - reposted from the other thread:

 

Bedford? Devonshire?? Drake??? 

 

I see the WG naming committee has been at it again.

 

I know that Bedford was a cruiser name but I think Hereford is better: Hereford is both a Cathedral City (like Exeter and York) and a shire county town. There has also never been an actual HMS Hereford, so it would be a nice touch to remedy that omission.

 

HMS Devonshire is a fine ship but I'm afraid I can't live with it being in the game before HMS Cornwall. I bet it has a Cream Tea hidden on it somewhere, with the ingredients the wrong way round. T'idn't right, t'idn't fair, t'idn't proper, etc. 

 

HMS Drake is Devonport Naval Base, and has been since the 1930s. So you can't call it that. The approved names for the Admiral class cruisers were Benbow, Blake, Effingham, Hawke, Albermarle and Cornwallis. I'd go with Benbow, as it's one of my favourite pubs....

 

Goliath is a good naval name, though; especially for what appears to be a super cruiser with an 8inch armour belt. 

 

Would like to see Australia in 1945 mode, too... Tier VI, remove X Turret, add smoke and late Pacific War AA. Proper job....

[principat121]

1 hour ago, Tanatoy said:

The commander has three talents:

 

• A one-time duration increase of consumables after a fixed number of hits to opponents from the main caliber guns;
• A one-time increase to the firing range of main caliber guns after the destruction of an enemy;
• Increased reload speed of main caliber guns and torpedo tubes after reaching the "High Caliber" achievement.

Very intresting. Those talents sound very promissing and fitting for the upcoming italian cruiser line!

 

I am really looking foward for the other leaked unique german commander that he will have such creative solutions as well. 

[LonesomePolecat]

1 hour ago, invicta2012 said:

HMS Devonshire is a fine ship but I'm afraid I can't live with it being in the game before HMS Cornwall. I bet it has a Cream Tea hidden on it somewhere, with the ingredients the wrong way round. T'idn't right, t'idn't fair, t'idn't proper, etc. 

Devonshire had the lowest pennant number: 39. All the others wore higher number (Kent: 54...etc). That must be the (only logical) reason why. Otherwise I feel your pain.

Still, can' wait to see her (and London) in game...

[___V_E_N_O_M___]

15 hours ago, invicta2012 said:

Cruisergeddon! Now all I need is the missing Condottieri class cruiser (Luigi Cadorna) and we're there.

 

A word about the names, though - reposted from the other thread:

 

Bedford? Devonshire?? Drake??? 

 

I see the WG naming committee has been at it again.

 

I know that Bedford was a cruiser name but I think Hereford is better: Hereford is both a Cathedral City (like Exeter and York) and a shire county town. There has also never been an actual HMS Hereford, so it would be a nice touch to remedy that omission.

 

HMS Devonshire is a fine ship but I'm afraid I can't live with it being in the game before HMS Cornwall. I bet it has a Cream Tea hidden on it somewhere, with the ingredients the wrong way round. T'idn't right, t'idn't fair, t'idn't proper, etc. 

 

HMS Drake is Devonport Naval Base, and has been since the 1930s. So you can't call it that. The approved names for the Admiral class cruisers were Benbow, Blake, Effingham, Hawke, Albermarle and Cornwallis. I'd go with Benbow, as it's one of my favourite pubs....

 

Goliath is a good naval name, though; especially for what appears to be a super cruiser with an 8inch armour belt. 

 

Would like to see Australia in 1945 mode, too... Tier VI, remove X Turret, add smoke and late Pacific War AA. Proper job....

The names are fine 

[invicta2012]

37 minutes ago, ___V_E_N_O_M___ said:

The names are fine 

Oh no they're not! 

 

Seriously: Bedford is a fair but undistinguished choice, the Devonshire in game has armour that the actual Devonshire never had (114mm was the Kent class belt) and you can't ignore the fact that HMS Drake was Devonport Naval Base during the period of the game. 

[creamgravy]

4 hours ago, invicta2012 said:

(114mm was the Kent class belt)

 

Kent, Devonshire and Dorsetshire class had no belt armour, just 25mm plating with box protection around vitals. Like Émile Bertin in game. They were designed as paper cruisers, so AP shells wouldn't arm and pass through.

 

The more modern York-class (Exeter) was designed with a 76mm belt. HMS London got a complete 40s refit that slapped on a 89mm belt (add the existing 25mm plating for 114mm)

 

RN CA are famous for being paper, makes the tanky theme hilarious. Just like Exeter at tier 5 

 

Edit:

 

Oh yeah, the Kents did get belt armour in WW2 didn't they.

 

[invicta2012]

2 hours ago, creamgravy said:

Oh yeah, the Kents did get belt armour in WW2 didn't they.

They did, in the 1930s - the Kents and Australia were modernised. They never got around to the Londons, though, including Devonshire.

[lafeel]

9 hours ago, invicta2012 said:

They did, in the 1930s - the Kents and Australia were modernised. They never got around to the Londons, though, including Devonshire.

With one exception, the London herself.

[LonesomePolecat]

12 hours ago, lafeel said:

With one exception, the London herself.

London completely rebuilt btw 1939-41 then in 1942. This included new bulkheads, deck armor, 3 1/2 " armor belt, new design bridge and superstructure (modeled after the Fiji's) new AA etc. The Admiralty wanted all the Counties to be modernized this way eventually.  Unfortunately a War just broke out so less extensive work carried out on the others due the wartime needs.

Can't wait to see London in game even as a T6 prem thou. TBH, I would rather expected her as T7 tech tree ship. But never mind.

[lafeel]

47 minutes ago, LonesomePolecat said:

London completely rebuilt btw 1939-41 then in 1942. This included new bulkheads, deck armor, 3 1/2 " armor belt, new design bridge and superstructure (modeled after the Fiji's) new AA etc. The Admiralty wanted all the Counties to be modernized this way eventually.  Unfortunately a War just broke out so less extensive work carried out on the others due the wartime needs.

Can't wait to see London in game even as a T6 prem thou. TBH, I would rather expected her as T7 tech tree ship. But never mind.

There was also the (not so) small matter of the London having a serious top heavyness issue after said refit.

[BruceRKF]

16 hours ago, lafeel said:

There was also the (not so) small matter of the London having a serious top heavyness issue after said refit.

Things like that don't factor in the game (un)fortunately. Just from the top of my head, German DDs (especially with 150 mm guns), the Mogamis, earlier Atlantas and I believe even the Clevelands also had issues with sea-keeping (and quite a lot more ships I am sure). Here's hoping that we get somewhat realistic ships (look wise) where possible.

[THE_JUDEAN_PEOPLES_FRONT]

On 9/20/2019 at 7:10 PM, Tanatoy said:

Italian cruisers. Part 2

 

Update 0.8.10 will continue the Italian update cycle. 

 

The event will consist of directives, a new collection, and Italian cruisers which will be out of early access.

 

Items of the collection dedicated to the Italian Navy, consisting of 16 elements will only be available in the event's containers. For completing the collection, you will get the new unique Italian commander - Luigi Sansonetti.

 

 

 

The commander has three talents:

 

• A one-time duration increase of consumables after a fixed number of hits to opponents from the main caliber guns;
• A one-time increase to the firing range of main caliber guns after the destruction of an enemy;
• Increased reload speed of main caliber guns and torpedo tubes after reaching the "High Caliber" achievement.

 

Please note that the commander is still in development and the exact numbers will be announced after testing.

 

British Heavy Cruisers

 

We are pleased to present you a new branch in the UK tech tree - heavy cruisers: 

 

• Hawkins, tier V: 7x1 190 mm guns; Torpedoes 2x2 533 mm; Armor belt 76 mm.
• Devonshire, tier VI: 4x2 203 mm guns; Torpedoes 2x4 533 mm; Armor belt 114 mm.
• Surrey, tier VII: 4x2 203 mm guns. Torpedoes 2x4 533 mm. Armor belt 152 mm.
• Bedford, tier VIII: 3x3 203 mm guns. Torpedoes 2x4 533 mm. Armor belt 152 mm. 
• Drake, tier IX: 3x3 234 mm guns. Torpedoes 2x4 533 mm. Armor belt 177 mm.
• Goliath, tier X: 4x3 234 mm guns. Torpedoes 2x4 533 mm. Armor belt 203 mm.

 

As well as the above-mentioned new additions is the tier VI cruiser, London.

 

The initial concept, which will be tested, assumes that these ships will have good belt and deck armor, high-explosive and armor-piercing shells with high maximum damage, achieved by the caliber of the guns. For those of you that are familiar with Royal Navy cruisers, the new heavy cruisers from tier VIII-X will also have the branded "British" repair party.

 

Owners of British heavy cruisers will be able to choose between the "Defensive AA Defense Fire" and "Fighter" consumables. In a separate slot will be "Hydroacoustic Search" consumable, the characteristics of which will be similar to those of British destroyers: a short detection range and long action time. Such equipment is intended for protection against torpedoes.

 

So, to sum it up - high survivability, powerful guns, long-duration hydroacoustic search and the repair party, capable of repairing a huge amount of hit points, will make these ships good middle-range fighters.

 

Please note that the information in the Development Blog is preliminary and subject to change.

really looking forward to these british cls.. looking forward to not always having to hide in smoke or just run away all the time -))

[gustywinds]

On 9/20/2019 at 9:55 PM, LonesomePolecat said:

Devonshire had the lowest pennant number: 39. All the others wore higher number (Kent: 54...etc). That must be the (only logical) reason why. Otherwise I feel your pain.

Still, can' wait to see her (and London) in game...

Yes, Devonshire is a very curious choice. Many other of the Counties were much more famous. The class does give several options for offshoots though with Canberra/Australia and Canarias/Balaerias.

[Fodder1978]

On 10/15/2019 at 1:43 PM, gustywinds said:

Yes, Devonshire is a very curious choice. Many other of the Counties were much more famous. The class does give several options for offshoots though with Canberra/Australia and Canarias/Balaerias.

HMS Norfolk being an obvious choice, for the Battle of the Denmark Straight, where her Radar (and that if HMS Suffolk) kept a watch on the Bismarck as they shadowed her from a distance.

 

Although wasn’t it Devonshire that finally pumped a spread of torpedoes into Bismarck, sinking her?

[Benser33]

13 minutes ago, Fodder1978 said:

Although wasn’t it Devonshire that finally pumped a spread of torpedoes into Bismarck, sinking her?

Devonshire was the flagship of VA Cunningham and saw mixed combat success during her few engagements throughout WW2.

 

Dorsetshire, not Devonshire, claimed two torpedo hits upon the Bismarck. These torpedos were launched on an already heavily listing Bismarck who had succumbed to multiple aerial torpedo attacks from carriers Victorious and Ark Royal, battleship fire from Prince of Wales, Repulse, King George V and Rodney, heavy cruiser fire from Sheffield, Norfolk, Suffolk and Dorsetshire and ultimately her own crews efforts to scuttle her.