NC advices?

[LongJohn_]

 

Allrighty. I really waited to get my first hands on NC after all the praise and glory around it. Liked NM much and pretty much fell in love with Colorados 16"ers...

 

So what did I expect... Rugged when angled BB with punchy 16"s, great AA and faster speed than earlier models in the line. Ok. Got one. Did some games, grinded the modules but pretty much frustrated to it. Guns truely have tight grouping but you have to ain really carefully to hit any. In gis aspect my Bismarck which I really like has dodgy dispersion but it does t fail me down even nearly as much as NCs guns. 

 

After devastating Colorado NC was a harsh disappointment. But I am considering to get it back. What should I do differently? Is there a way to really learn that added advance while aiming and other useful tips would be welcome. 

[RUSSIANBlAS]

NC guns need a long time to understand. Potentially 100+ games.

 

They have really slow velocity and take a lazy looping trajectory.

 

You'll find they're accurate once you understand them. The way they fly means that any thing that isn't quite on target will miss more as the shells fall so steeply. Amagi and Bismarck for instance have much flatter trajectories so are more reliable for damage to the un initiated.

 

It's too bad the Missouri has just gone, likely forever as that's the ship that makes learning these guns worth it...

[Infiriel]

Unlike Bismarck, NC can`t do a tactical 180-deg turn.
Nose-in NC can only be removed by either torps, flanking, or prolonged he spam (or Yamato shouting F-you from 20km away)

Under heavy fire you shouldn`t even attempt to use your back gun.

 

Since NC has the US Super-heavy AP ™  you can, and should abuse plunging fire, which makes it possible to eaisly citadel things like german CA, Conqueror, or Amagi (and apparently french BB`s too)
If you want better effects with plunging fire don`t fire at target`s waterline, but rather 1/3 of broadside height for BB`s, and 1/4 for CA. If you do this your dispersion will be centered over target`s axis, rather than it`s side.

[LongJohn_]

 

Well I thought Colorado guns needed learning. They also have high trajectory but only thing it needed was little more advance to aiming. Compared to for example Bismarck guns. 

 

If I remember correctly NC accuracy is even better than Colorado? And I also used the accuracy mod instead of range so grouping should be excellent and at the same time need spot on aim. 

 

Slow flytime also gives CLs more edge in dodging. If you get a shot off, they start turning and shots really miss target completely. But I've also learned this in a hard way in Russian DDs. Pummeling Bismarck to death from 13-14km away with Kiev or Tash is easy, they hardly ever hit you. But when capable NC/Iowa/Monty captain has idea how you move and dodge it really hurts.

[LongJohn_]

 

Ok. Got the ship back. Actually there must been some changes since my last games cause I have plenty of ship XP but no modules researched. I got engine upgraded but rest are still locked at the moment.

 

Main Armament Mod 1, Damage Control 1 & 2, AA Module and Concealment Modules. 12 point captain with Preventive Maint, Expert Marksman, Adrenaline Rush, Superintendent and Concealment Exp skills. Lets see how she dances this time.

[ShinGetsu]

10 hours ago, Negativvv said:

It's too bad the Missouri has just gone, likely forever as that's the ship that makes learning these guns worth it...

Missouri and Iowa 406 have better flight time than NC, as they have flatter trajectory.

[LongJohn_]

 

Ok. So 8 games with 75% WR (mostly blind luck & team effort) and 58k avg dmg. Few proper deletes but overall pretty inconsistent. I've played only 38 games total with the ship so I guess it needs more getting used to.

 

How the traveltime works? Is it linear all the way or changes to different distances? Do I need extra lead after certain distance etc?

[RUSSIANBlAS]

2 hours ago, ShinGetsu said:

Missouri and Iowa 406 have better flight time than NC, as they have flatter trajectory.

True but one must usually go via the NC to get up there and the play style is similar.

 

The flight trajectories are similar enough so any experience in NC isn't wasted higher up I feel.

[RUSSIANBlAS]

37 minutes ago, LongJohn_ said:

 

Ok. So 8 games with 75% WR (mostly blind luck & team effort) and 58k avg dmg. Few proper deletes but overall pretty inconsistent. I've played only 38 games total with the ship so I guess it needs more getting used to.

 

How the traveltime works? Is it linear all the way or changes to different distances? Do I need extra lead after certain distance etc?

 You'll find the lead becomes an issue because people can actually dodge your shells whilst in flight at long ranges.

 

I find the lead is fairly linear but I've fired the guns so many times that I just adjust without too much thought. Watch the shells if there's any doubt and adjust for the next salvo.

[SirAmra]

Don`t sit there and spam HE. I`ve seen so many NC players just sit there and redline spamming HE.

 

[LongJohn_]

I dont remember shooting a single shell of HE in NC. 

[LongJohn_]

3 hours ago, Negativvv said:

 You'll find the lead becomes an issue because people can actually dodge your shells whilst in flight at long ranges.

 

I find the lead is fairly linear but I've fired the guns so many times that I just adjust without too much thought. Watch the shells if there's any doubt and adjust for the next salvo.

 

Yep. I propably just need more experience. With Bismarck lead is in the spine. 

[LongJohn_]

 

Ok I guess I am getting the hang of this ship. Aim starts to get spot on (one shotted Neptune with 3 citadels yesterday) and angling also works in most cases. 

 

What would you suggest for captain skills?

 

I have prev maint, prio target, exp marksman, adrenalinerush, superindent and consielment exp atm. 13 points. Works pretty nicely. But what next? I do play in division with CV so AA might be useful but is it still smarter to pick some tanking skills like fireprev etc?

 

Atm I use AA module but like mentioned no AA skills on cap. 

[tsounts]

5 hours ago, LongJohn_ said:

 

Ok I guess I am getting the hang of this ship. Aim starts to get spot on (one shotted Neptune with 3 citadels yesterday) and angling also works in most cases. 

 

What would you suggest for captain skills?

 

I have prev maint, prio target, exp marksman, adrenalinerush, superindent and consielment exp atm. 13 points. Works pretty nicely. But what next? I do play in division with CV so AA might be useful but is it still smarter to pick some tanking skills like fireprev etc?

 

Atm I use AA module but like mentioned no AA skills on cap. 

BFT, AFT I would recommend so you should probably drop one tier 1 skill.

[LongJohn_]

3 hours ago, tsounts said:

BFT, AFT I would recommend so you should probably drop one tier 1 skill.

 

Ok so go for full AA setup? Is that good idea? 

 

I would have to drop one 1 point skill off to free 7 points for AFT+BFT. Prev Maint and Priority Target are both usable skills to have. 

[tsounts]

14 minutes ago, LongJohn_ said:

 

Ok so go for full AA setup? Is that good idea? 

 

I would have to drop one 1 point skill off to free 7 points for AFT+BFT. Prev Maint and Priority Target are both usable skills to have. 

I know, that's what I typed but I would go for PM only.  You're a bb, just angle and bow on the enemy.  AFT and BFT help with your aa defense since you div up with a cv.  That's the setup I'm using but captain skills are also a personal thing too. :)

[LongJohn_]

On ‎1‎.‎5‎.‎2018 at 11:22 PM, tsounts said:

I know, that's what I typed but I would go for PM only.  You're a bb, just angle and bow on the enemy.  AFT and BFT help with your aa defense since you div up with a cv.  That's the setup I'm using but captain skills are also a personal thing too. :)

 

Yep. I was just thinking is Full AA recommended overall. I dont play all my NC games in CV division. I consider my present setup functional to my playstyle. I just need to address those last points. 6 left so ...

 

Something like Vigilance and BFT? Some of both without going over the top in anything. 

[LongJohn_]

 

Well this question is not only about NC but BBs overall. 

 

I have my Bismarck and I think its a keeper. I also start to really like my NC these days. Aim starts to hit spot on, angling and distances comes from spine etc. 

 

But which BB line would you recommend pushing to next (T9) level? 

 

I also have British BBs at T6 atm. Pretty nice as well, on their own way. I have this funny impression that NC is kind of pinnacle of USN BBs and that Iowa isnt that great? 

 

Allthough I've read the same thing about Freddy and that its the Kurf that really makes it work. Or should I just hang on to these and grind totally different lines all together?

[tsounts]

40 minutes ago, LongJohn_ said:

 

Yep. I was just thinking is Full AA recommended overall. I dont play all my NC games in CV division. I consider my present setup functional to my playstyle. I just need to address those last points. 6 left so ...

 

Something like Vigilance and BFT? Some of both without going over the top in anything. 

That is an option too, there is no absolute right or wrong here, this game is about numbers and luck, then you add skill :) (or vice versa)

[tsounts]

18 minutes ago, LongJohn_ said:

 

Well this question is not only about NC but BBs overall. 

 

I have my Bismarck and I think its a keeper. I also start to really like my NC these days. Aim starts to hit spot on, angling and distances comes from spine etc. 

 

But which BB line would you recommend pushing to next (T9) level? 

 

I also have British BBs at T6 atm. Pretty nice as well, on their own way. I have this funny impression that NC is kind of pinnacle of USN BBs and that Iowa isnt that great? 

 

Allthough I've read the same thing about Freddy and that its the Kurf that really makes it work. Or should I just hang on to these and grind totally different lines all together?

I'm at GK now but haven't researched the big guns yet so I don't know.
Love my Missouri.

Don't fancy the RN bbs much but Lion was very easy to play and now that I'm at Conq I don't find it interesting to play this ship...

[WolfGewehr]

27 minutes ago, LongJohn_ said:

I have this funny impression that NC is kind of pinnacle of USN BBs and that Iowa isnt that great?

 

I guess it varies depending whom you ask, but I don't agree with that impression. Iowa seems to split people a bit from what I have heard, some love and some dislike. Personally for me all the top 3 USN BBs have been a blast to play with. They require a bit different playstyle each of them, but they are definitely strong, especially Montana. Only reason I sold Iowa is that I have Missouri, Monty is my workhorse for T10 affairs (ranked atm, CBs, even tournaments in future?) and I have kept NC with a 19 point captain on her.

[LongJohn_]

17 minutes ago, tsounts said:

I'm at GK now but haven't researched the big guns yet so I don't know.
Love my Missouri.

Don't fancy the RN bbs much but Lion was very easy to play and now that I'm at Conq I don't find it interesting to play this ship...

 

Its strange how things evolve. Example. I really liked Akatsuki at T7. Good WR, overall fun games even while I normally pretty much suck with torp boats. So I decided to go forward. Kagero and T8. Ok, even smaller detection range, better guns, better torps.. What could possibly go wrong. Well, everything. MM and competition is hugely different in T8 bracket. Cap contesting is much harder since a lot of radars in game. I even got to Yugumo but ot felt even worse. 

 

In this way pretty much every branch develops over the tiers but how do they handle new competition is the real question. I feel strong in Bismarck and NC at T8 but how would that change in Freddy or Iowa...

[ollonborre]

13 hours ago, LongJohn_ said:

 

In this way pretty much every branch develops over the tiers but how do they handle new competition is the real question. I feel strong in Bismarck and NC at T8 but how would that change in Freddy or Iowa...

The Freddy and Iowa are very strong ships in their own right. Freddy is just a bigger Bismarck with even more brutal secondaries, tankier and while the guns are still derpy as hell they pack a bigger punch.

 

Iowa has better velocity and with the accuracy module it is more accurate if I'm not mistaken. AA is not quite as strong tier for tier like the NC (but NC AA is pretty OP for tier 8) but it is still great. It is also faster and the gameplay in general does not change much apart from more consistent guns IMO.

[Runegrem]

16 hours ago, LongJohn_ said:

I have this funny impression that NC is kind of pinnacle of USN BBs and that Iowa isnt that great? 

I think the Iowa has the same problem a lot of tier 9 ships have. They're one tier below top tier and tier 8 is a generally strong tier with the North Carolina being no exception. That the Missouri exists to be compared to is also not good for the Iowa's reputation. It's not a bad ship, it's just that it's in an awkward spot tier wise.

[tsounts]

11 minutes ago, Runegrem said:

I think the Iowa has the same problem a lot of tier 9 ships have. They're one tier below top tier and tier 8 is a generally strong tier with the North Carolina being no exception. That the Missouri exists to be compared to is also not good for the Iowa's reputation. It's not a bad ship, it's just that it's in an awkward spot tier wise.

I think Missouri and Iowa are pretty identical except for the fact that Iowa has slightly less frontal armour.  I've seen many complaints on Missouri not performing well and I have no idea why those guys are whining because I've had very nice results with my Mo (over 100k) per battle.