Kirov, the tinfoil ship

[pihip_wg]

The Kirov is the latest addition to my small port, and while I've only played what four-five games in her, I must say this looks quite the challenge.

 

Her guns are nice, though I miss the rain of fire from Bogatyr and Svietlana, and her speed in a straight line is good, but God is this ship fragile. Never mind broken modules or whatever, the speed with which I fall from full health to a scrap heap at the bottom is alarming. Latest match I had today a Kaiser double-triple citadeled me for well over 20k damage by shooting my side (and no, I was not alone then, there were other viable, slower targets).

 

I play her as a support gunboat, letting allies race forward and spamming HE from the second line, and when I can do that, the ship works. Cowardly, but any more aggressive and the poor concealment will make me an easy target for everyone to aim at (this doesn't mean the Kirov can't pull off stunts, in that match where I got smashed by the Kaiser an enemy Kirov was first on the enemy team with four kills, the last of which was a yolo torpedo run that ended in mutual destruction for him and his target).

 

I'm disappointed that I'm struggling so much in this vessel (though as I said, I'm completely new to her), as the Molotov and Mikhail Kutuzov premiums looked like bigger and better versions of the Kirov, but I'd rather learn here first and then open my wallet than do a purchase I'd regret.

 

With that said, does anyone have any further tips for this ship? I'd like to at least learn how to do better in the Kirov before buying the premium cruisers or proceeding down the line, as it seems this is the ship that introduces the player to the main course of the Soviet cruiser line (tinfoil armor, good guns and range, big targets, etc.).

 

Also, happy 2017 to everyone!

[ColonelPete]

http://forum.worldofwarships.eu/index.php?/topic/47754-kirov-does-it-get-any-better/page__hl__kirov__fromsearch__1

http://forum.worldofwarships.eu/index.php?/topic/48282-have-you-kept-the-kirov/page__hl__kirov__fromsearch__1

http://forum.worldofwarships.eu/index.php?/topic/59269-kirov-i-love-those-180-mm-guns/page__hl__kirov__fromsearch__1

 

 

[JG4_sKylon]

You already said it: play her as a support cruiser from 2nd (or better 3rd) line.

She is now even harder to play because of the new MM which will put you up against T7 often.

 

Try to stay concealed, have islands near you. Plan your escape route, use smoke of fellow DDs if possible.

In short, do everything to not get shot at and make yourself a very unattractive target.

 

And please use AP on broadside targets, the guns penetrate very good.

 

Tier6 will be much better in every aspect, But T7 and T8 will make you remember the Kirov again. Long, sluggish rudder, big turn radius and citadel from bow to stern.

So she is a good trainer for the higher tiers.

[Gnirf]

I would say that the Budyonny at T6 and Chapayev at T8 is good cruiser for long range sniping and BBQ. Schcors somehow I did not like, Chapayev has radar so she is a good DD hunter but be careful, not to expose yourself, firing fwd guns only much of the time, long and difficult to dodge with, but precision in their guns I like them, but T5 and T7 I have laid off active duty though I have them in port. With DE they are good ships, never mind torps it is only if some stupid enemy comes near or you must do a kamikaze they are of use. So grind through T5 and next ship is more help for T7 T8 but the fragility you will be familiar with in Kirov.

[dekjabrist]

Yeah I have the same issues, try not to get hit....

 

I found her AP properties very unimpressive.

[ColonelPete]

You can citadel enemy cruisers at 15 km.

The guns are quite accurate.

[ThinderChief]

I love my Kirov, it's fast and guns are laser sharp, this easily compensate for short legged torps, low turn rate and glass armour, you can't have everything in one ship.

 

What I am planning to do with her is to give her Captain Concealment and Fire Prevention as skills, use premium camo, in short buff her strength and try to minimise her weaknesses (low H.P) for the armour, better use concealment and long range gun accuracy in order to avoid being spotted before firing, recover stealth quickly after firing and being able to see the shells coming from further away and dodge them, avoid taking hits.

 

She is a very good sniper no question, so take advantage of her good guns capabilities...  

 

Posted earlier in another topic on Des Moines, a tactic I use when I am not able to hide or shelter behind an island.

 

It goes with nearly all fast ships, be it BBs, Cruisers or DDs, you can't have it all, in fact, at the moment I enjoy the Kirov quiet a lot, if you can maneuver, have high speed on tap and good guns, then you can adapt.

 

"keep your targets between your Surface Detectability Range circle and maximum View range, timing is very important, you must keep in mind that every time you fire you loose your stealth, so position yourself in such a way that the enemy ship has her turrets turned in another direction, preferably the opposite, initiate a 180* turn before firing, with Des Moines you should be able to fire twice, then STOP firing and sail away from your target until you have recovered your stealth (20 seconds)". 

 

When you recovered your stealth then do it again, see this as a yo-yo maneuver in fighter aircrafts, moving in and out of firing range, only taking your circles into account for your maneuver, this tactic is particularly suited for flanking less manoeuvrable ships such as BBs.

 

This requires that you optimise your mods and Captain skills for maximum accuracy at longest range as possible and develop good sniping skills, and if possible get your visibility as low as possible too with camo and even Captain Concealment skills, I think her AA will still be good enough in most cases.

 

[Ferry_25]

From Kirov on all the cruisers in the line have the same-ish playstyle. They are glass cannons. Once you get the hang of it you'll probably love them. No guarantee however!

[ThinderChief]

[lup3s]

What I am planning to do with her is to give her Captain Concealment and Fire Prevention as skills

 

I wouldn't choose Fire Prevention tbh.. Better to spend your points in Demolition Expert or other skills.

[JapLance]

Kirov was somewhat funny when BBs didn't rule the WoWs seas. With 5 BBs in every game it was virtually unplayable (let alone with the recent MM), and It's one of the few historical ships that I sold without any remorse.

 

Then I bought Molotov 

[broja_jacra]

The Kirov is the latest addition to my small port, and while I've only played what four-five games in her, I must say this looks quite the challenge.

 

Her guns are nice, though I miss the rain of fire from Bogatyr and Svietlana, and her speed in a straight line is good, but God is this ship fragile. Never mind broken modules or whatever, the speed with which I fall from full health to a scrap heap at the bottom is alarming. Latest match I had today a Kaiser double-triple citadeled me for well over 20k damage by shooting my side (and no, I was not alone then, there were other viable, slower targets).

 

I play her as a support gunboat, letting allies race forward and spamming HE from the second line, and when I can do that, the ship works. Cowardly, but any more aggressive and the poor concealment will make me an easy target for everyone to aim at (this doesn't mean the Kirov can't pull off stunts, in that match where I got smashed by the Kaiser an enemy Kirov was first on the enemy team with four kills, the last of which was a yolo torpedo run that ended in mutual destruction for him and his target).

 

I'm disappointed that I'm struggling so much in this vessel (though as I said, I'm completely new to her), as the Molotov and Mikhail Kutuzov premiums looked like bigger and better versions of the Kirov, but I'd rather learn here first and then open my wallet than do a purchase I'd regret.

 

With that said, does anyone have any further tips for this ship? I'd like to at least learn how to do better in the Kirov before buying the premium cruisers or proceeding down the line, as it seems this is the ship that introduces the player to the main course of the Soviet cruiser line (tinfoil armor, good guns and range, big targets, etc.).

 

Also, happy 2017 to everyone!

 

you have to play back as second line sniper, even some DD can citadel you through the bow. dont just stick to HE though you can unleash havoc with AP even against BB so dont be shy if you see a broadside. everyone knows Kirovs paper armour so you will be a main target when seen amongst other ships, keep your distance, hit and fade, keep angled and enjoy those lovely guns

[pihip_wg]

Thank you all for your posts.

 

I will be honest and admit that, according to what you suggested and some videos I've seen these days, I've played the Kirov like a complete donkey - the 'stay at the rear and snipe' part I got right, but finer stuff such as hugging islands for cover or switching to AP was something I never attempted. I blame the latter on my lack of experience, as I've always thought AP on less-than-bb ships would be ineffective, only to be proven wrong.

What can I say, I'm a casual player so I still make plenty of mistakes.
 

[lup3s]

Thank you all for your posts.

 

I will be honest and admit that, according to what you suggested and some videos I've seen these days, I've played the Kirov like a complete donkey - the 'stay at the rear and snipe' part I got right, but finer stuff such as hugging islands for cover or switching to AP was something I never attempted. I blame the latter on my lack of experience, as I've always thought AP on less-than-bb ships would be ineffective, only to be proven wrong.

 

What can I say, I'm a casual player so I still make plenty of mistakes.

 

 

Don't underestimate the power of AP shells, even the AP shells of Destroyers can be punishing!

If you get close enough to enemy Cruisers showing broadside, you can even hit their citadels

 

 

 

[pihip_wg]

 

Don't underestimate the power of AP shells, even the AP shells of Destroyers can be punishing!

If you get close enough to enemy Cruisers showing broadside, you can even hit their citadels

 

 

 

 

My current issue with the Kirov is that I feel I don't contribute enough.

 

Unless I yolo to my death, and in that case it's my fault and I still have to work over it, those matches I've played so far didn't yeld much in terms of damage done. I'm too fragile and everyone knows it, which makes me a juicy target and usually leads to an early death. (I do the same when I'm out in battleships and see cruisers in range )

 

It doesn't help that Kirov is quite huge and has pathetic concealment, combined with the poor armor and semi-useless torpedoes the only excellent thing about this ship are its main guns, and they can only do so much.

 

Just for the record, is atsf's 'How to Moskva' video useful for the rest of the Soviet line as well? I understand that Moskva is the very top of the line, but I feel some key characteristics are shared in the lower tiers as well, starting with Kirov - large, poorly armored ships with good straight line speed but bad turning, low concealment, and some of the best cruiser guns available.

 

[lup3s]

 

My current issue with the Kirov is that I feel I don't contribute enough.

 

Unless I yolo to my death, and in that case it's my fault and I still have to work over it, those matches I've played so far didn't yeld much in terms of damage done. I'm too fragile and everyone knows it, which makes me a juicy target and usually leads to an early death. (I do the same when I'm out in battleships and see cruisers in range )

 

It doesn't help that Kirov is quite huge and has pathetic concealment, combined with the poor armor and semi-useless torpedoes the only excellent thing about this ship are its main guns, and they can only do so much.

 

Just for the record, is atsf's 'How to Moskva' video useful for the rest of the Soviet line as well? I understand that Moskva is the very top of the line, but I feel some key characteristics are shared in the lower tiers as well, starting with Kirov - large, poorly armored ships with good straight line speed but bad turning, low concealment, and some of the best cruiser guns available.

 

 

I'm only at the Kirov myself so I can't really compare.

 

At the start of the battle, don't rush forwards. Try to avoid enemy battleships if possible, but don't remove yourself from the battle! Use islands or smoke screens as cover.

Use the range and accuracy of your guns to engage enemy ships at long range.

Your shells have a flat flight arc, so you can reliably engage destroyers and cruisers at medium to long range.

At long range I'd recommend using HE. However, if you spot a broadside cruiser (and you're confident you'll hit him); you can try to switch to AP and you might get those juicy citadel hits.

At medium range it depends: I'd still use HE against destroyers and battleships (unless he's already burning on different locations); against cruisers you should use AP. You can hit the citadel of other T5 cruisers through the bow, and broadside on you'll just wreck them.

At close range you still use HE against destroyers and angled battleships; use AP against cruisers and broadside battleships.

 

But I would avoid getting in close range; in my opinion this ship excels in fighting at medium to long range. You can of course always try to rush an enemy ship with your torpedoes, but make sure to not fire them too early.

 

The strength of this ship is its AP shells and their flat flight arcs. Your HE shells have a decent fire chance so you can use them to burn enemy battleships.

 

Btw, the Kirov has a nice turret layout with two turrets in the front; a big part of the time I find myself bow-on (using my front guns), sailing at 1/4-1/2 speed or reversing.

 

[RUSSIANBlAS]

I kept Kirov for awhile but it's huge size and squishy nature offends me. It's practically the length of a fricking Kongo in game!!!

 

The AP on her feel overrated but then again I come from BB play, IJN 203mm feel like they pen better and are generally better guns...

[damo74]

I was glad to get rid of the Kirov, My problem with her was that she is very dependent on having a decent team around you. I couldn't carry at all in this ship, and more often than not I didn't have a decent team with me.

 

Kirov reminds me of a Russian Pensacola.

 

I quit the Russian line altogether after this ship. I may come back to it later as I hear the T6 cruiser is decent?

[RUSSIANBlAS]

Kirov taking bow cits from DD AP is always a source of amusement...

[Historynerd]

I love it!

 

And I fully admit that I'm biased, because she's Italian-looking (built with Italian help, and all that jazz, so I play the Kirov to pass the time until the Regia Marina arrives)!

 

I concede that, if the teams melts around you, this turns into a bad day, because you have the speed to run away, but not the maneuverability and armor to dodge and/or absorb any hits, and if you're focused, you're dead one way or another.

But honestly? 

 

 

I accept every flaw it has (paperthin armor, bad maneuverability, bad torpedoes - which I "rarely use" all across the board, though, so I don't care much about 'em), because to me its 180 mm guns are just MURDEROUS!

I have to be opportunistic as heck, but, if nothing else, I always find somebody who is focused on someone else and shows me his sweet broadside. Then... it's citadel city, baby!

 

Maybe I'm just weird, but I seriously appreciate this oversized and overarmed destroyer leader or whatever the heck this is. And even after I unlock the next cruiser in line, I'll absolutely keep it.

Just my two cents, inspired by my (partial) experience.

[RUSSIANBlAS]

Kirov maybe better now with Priority Targeting as you know how many want to blow you up now.

 

The size of the ship offends me, it looks nearly Kongo size which is utterly huge...

[Arctic_Nation]

After the Kirov's BB-like artillery, Budyonny's puny 152 mm guns feel downright insulting.

[RUSSIANBlAS]

After the Kirov's BB-like artillery, Budyonny's puny 152 mm guns feel downright insulting.

 

 They're far faster firing, on a better platform and with IFHE do pretty well...

[anonym_jRNsHFlzpHCL]

After the Kirov's BB-like artillery, Budyonny's puny 152 mm guns feel downright insulting.

 

Wait, what? Budyonny is like epic after Kirov better guns, better overall ship handling etc, etc.

[AnotherDuck]

Buddy can also actually take more than two shots without sinking. It's a ship where it's actually possible to get closer than max range without such a high risk of being deleted.

 

Kirov, on the other hand, has awesome guns. The ship is all about those guns (speed is good, too). Dead accurate and capable of citadelling cruisers at max range, which is also a great range for her tier. RN aside, I'm not sure I've played any cruiser where I used AP more. I once had the luck of getting into a T6 battle on Ocean where no one had longer range than I did. It was just a shooting gallery. Nothing could touch me unless I allowed it. If there's one ship where I'd actually advice sniping at max range, it would be Kirov.