Neptune
Revision as of 20:47, 26 October 2016 | Revision as of 18:05, 18 May 2019 | |||
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|Anno=<!-- you can write below short description for the ship. it will replace default once. --> | |Anno=<!-- you can write below short description for the ship. it will replace default once. --> | |||
+ | A light cruiser design created on the basis of experience obtained during World War II. In comparison to previous classes of Royal Navy ships, she had greater dimensions, dual-purpose main guns, and reinforced anti-aircraft and torpedo armament.<br><br>{{Model3DViewer|d70e5428fc4d418593b7be278796a333}} | |||
|Performance=<!-- write text about performance in battles below --> | |Performance=<!-- write text about performance in battles below --> | |||
? | ''Neptune'' | + | ''Neptune'' represents the pinnacle of evolution for the Royal Navy's twelve-gun cruisers and is the last ship in the British cruiser line to sport the triple-barreled, quadruple turret configuration that captains of ''[[Fiji]]'' and ''[[Edinburgh]]'' are well-acquainted with by this point. | |
? | + | The main improvement from ''Edinburgh'' to ''{{#var:ship_name}}'' is a vast increase in firepower. She upgrades from the Mk XXIII 152mm rifle of her immediate predecessors to the Mk XXV, which — with a base reload time of just 5.0 seconds — represents full 50% boost in her rate-of-fire (70% with the appropriate upgrade). The traverse rate sees a noticeable improvement. The range is improved as well, though the shells still lose velocity quickly, making it a challenge to hit anything smaller than a battleship at long range. | ||
? | + | Other aspects of ''{{#var:ship_name}}''’s firepower are greatly improved as well. She carries two quadruple-tube torpedo launchers per side, allowing her to devastate unwary ships that attempt to pursue her, sit in smoke, or come around islands. Finally, ''{{#var:ship_name}}''’s anti-aircraft suite is one of the most punishing in the game — especially with a commander who has the Level 4 skill Manual Fire Control for AA Armament — as her new Mk XXV main battery guns also function as dual-purpose guns and provide a significant contribution to her AA. | ||
? | + | She retains both ''Edinburgh''’s greatly improved {{Repair Party}} and access to {{Surveillance Radar}}, but her detection range is notably higher; indeed, ''{{#var:ship_name}}'' has the highest detection radius of all British cruisers. While this impairs her ability to close with and actively hunt enemy destroyers, it isn't a serious handicap as long as her commander has the Concealment Expert skill. | ||
? | '' | + | On the downside, she has slightly less armor protection than ''Edinburgh'', but — more worryingly — a much higher citadel. A ''{{#var:ship_name}}'' exposed with her broadside to enemy cruisers with armor-piercing rounds loaded — or battleships at any angle — can expect to take heavy damage if not wiped off the map in short order. To make matters worse, she is larger and responds more sluggishly than ''Edinburgh'', making it more difficult to dodge enemy fire. Combined, these make it much harder to give up {{Smoke Generator}} for Surveillance Radar. | |
+ | ||||
+ | ''{{#var:ship_name}}'' is capable of performing well as long as her captain keeps her guns pumping rounds at enemy cruisers and destroyers and keeps her highly vulnerable citadel hidden away from enemy battleships and heavy cruisers. | |||
|Pros=<!-- write list of positive points below. use * as in ordinary wiki-list. --> | |Pros=<!-- write list of positive points below. use * as in ordinary wiki-list. --> | |||
* Outstanding main battery armament: her twelve 152mm rifles have an excellent rate of fire and turret traverse time, as well as contributing to her anti-aircraft defenses. | * Outstanding main battery armament: her twelve 152mm rifles have an excellent rate of fire and turret traverse time, as well as contributing to her anti-aircraft defenses. | |||
* Lots of long range torpedoes (10.0 km) with better reload times than most other torpedo-armed cruisers at her tier. | * Lots of long range torpedoes (10.0 km) with better reload times than most other torpedo-armed cruisers at her tier. | |||
? | * First-rate anti-aircraft suite; wrecks planes if her commander has the | + | * First-rate anti-aircraft suite; wrecks planes if her commander has the Manual Fire Control for AA Armament skill. | |
? | * Has access to an enhanced version of | + | * Has access to an enhanced version of {{Repair Party}} that allows her to regenerate large amounts health. | |
* Can equip either Smoke Generator or Surveillance Radar. | * Can equip either Smoke Generator or Surveillance Radar. | |||
|Cons=<!-- write list of negative points below. use * as in ordinary wiki-list. --> | |Cons=<!-- write list of negative points below. use * as in ordinary wiki-list. --> | |||
? | * Large detection radius. | + | * Large detection radius. Even though Concealment Expert and {{Concealment System Modification 1}} are virtually required to play ''Neptune'' to her fullest, she still has large concealment. | |
? | * Very weak armor; she can bounce | + | * Very weak armor; she can bounce 228mm rounds at certain angles, but will be easily penetrated by shells of a larger caliber. | |
? | * | + | * Huge citadel that rides quite high above the waterline; can be a shock to new players. | |
+ | * Very high shell arcs, making it difficult to hit targets at long ranges. | |||
+ | * Somewhat sluggish due to her large size and 710m turning circle. | |||
|Research=<!-- write text about priority sequence of research below --> | |Research=<!-- write text about priority sequence of research below --> | |||
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|OptimalConfiguration=<!-- write some general text about selection of optimal configuration below (optional)--> | |OptimalConfiguration=<!-- write some general text about selection of optimal configuration below (optional)--> | |||
? | Unlike ''[[Edinburgh]]'', ''Neptune'' can't get her detection radius low enough to match her | + | Unlike ''[[Edinburgh]]'', ''Neptune'' can't get her detection radius low enough to match her {{Surveillance Radar}} range. She's still best when fully rigged for stealth; the question becomes how many points her captain is willing to sink into her anti-aircraft suite. | |
|Upgrades=<!-- write text about best upgrades below --> | |Upgrades=<!-- write text about best upgrades below --> | |||
? | '' | + | The recommended upgrades for ''{{#var:ship_name}}'' are as follows: | |
+ | *'''Slot 1''': {{Main Armaments Modification 1}}<nowiki>*</nowiki> | |||
+ | *'''Slot 2''': {{Damage Control System Modification 1}} | |||
+ | *'''Slot 3''': {{Aiming Systems Modification 1}}<nowiki>*</nowiki> | |||
+ | *'''Slot 4''': {{Steering Gears Modification 2}} | |||
+ | *'''Slot 5''': {{Concealment System Modification 1}} | |||
+ | *'''Slot 6''': {{Main Battery Modification 3}}<nowiki>*</nowiki> | |||
? | ''' | + | '''Upgrade Slot 1''' allows players to mount one of two viable options. '''Main Armaments Modification 1''' is a generally viable choice, but players wishing to specialize for anti-aircraft duties should mount {{Auxiliary Armaments Modification 1}}. | |
? | ''' | + | '''Upgrade Slot 3''' offers choices for specialization in different roles. '''Aiming Systems Modification 1''' should be equipped for ship-to-ship combat. {{AA Guns Modification 1}} should be mounted when specializing for AA duties. | |
+ | ||||
+ | '''Upgrade Slot 6''' provides choices for increased effectiveness of desired specializations. '''Main Battery Modification 3''' reduces main battery reload time, which benefits ''{{#var:ship_name}}'' in engagements with enemy ships. With the appropriate commander skills and upgrades, {{AA Guns Modification 2}} is an easy choice for additional specialization in AA duties, making carrier players rethink their decision to send their planes into the airspace above ''{{#var:ship_name}}''. | |||
|CommanderSkills=<!-- write text about best set of Commander Skills below --> | |CommanderSkills=<!-- write text about best set of Commander Skills below --> | |||
? | '''Anti-Aircraft Build:''' | + | '''Anti-Aircraft Build:''' Priority Target at Level 1, Expert Marksman at Level 2, Superintendent at Level 3, and Manual Fire Control for AA Armament at Level 4. Concealment Expert should be taken ASAP (either with the 10th point or the 14th). After that, invest points in Basic Firing Training, Adrenaline Rush, Smoke Screen Expert, Jack of All Trades, or Radio Position Finding. | |
? | + | '''Generalist Build:''' Priority Target at Level 1, Expert Marksman at Level 2, Superintendent at Level 3, and Concealment Expert at Level 4. Other strong skills worth considering after that include: Adrenaline Rush, Smoke Screen Expert, Radio Position Finding, or Jack of All Trades. | ||
? | + | |||
? | '''Generalist Build:''' | + | ||
{{Commander Skills | {{Commander Skills | |||
? | | Expert Loader= | + | | Priority Target = 3 | |
? | | | + | | Preventative Maintenance = 1 | |
? | | | + | | Expert Loader = | |
? | | | + | | Air Supremacy = | |
+ | | Direction Center for Fighters = | |||
+ | | Improved Engine Boost = | |||
+ | | Incoming Fire Alert = | |||
+ | | Evasive Maneuver = | |||
? | | Expert Marksman= | + | | High Alert = | |
? | | Torpedo | + | | Jack of All Trades = | |
? | | | + | | Expert Marksman = 1 | |
? | | | + | | Torpedo Acceleration = | |
? | | Last Stand= | + | | Smoke Screen Expert = 1 | |
+ | | Improved Engines = | |||
+ | | Adrenaline Rush = 3 | |||
+ | | Last Stand = | |||
? | | Torpedo | + | | Survivability Expert = 1 | |
? | | | + | | Basics of Survivability = | |
? | | | + | | Torpedo Armament Expertise = | |
? | | | + | | Aircraft Armor = | |
? | | | + | | Basic Firing Training = 2 | |
+ | | Superintendent = 3 | |||
+ | | Demolition Expert = | |||
+ | | Vigilance = 1 | |||
? | | | + | | Manual Fire Control for Secondary Armament = | |
? | | | + | | Fire Prevention = | |
? | | | + | | Inertia Fuse for HE Shells = | |
? | | | + | | Sight Stabilization = | |
? | | | + | | Advanced Firing Training = 3 | |
? | + | | Manual Fire Control for AA Armament = 3 | ||
? | + | | Radio Position Finding = 2 | ||
? | | Manual Fire Control for | + | | Concealment Expert = 3 | |
? | | | + | ||
? | | Concealment Expert=3 | + | ||
? | + | |||
? | + | |||
}} | }} | |||
+ | ||||
|Consumables=<!-- write text about selection of Consumables below --> | |Consumables=<!-- write text about selection of Consumables below --> | |||
? | Regardless of how her upgrades and commander skills are organized, '' | + | ''{{#var:ship_name}}'' can equip the following consumables: | |
+ | * '''Slot 1:''' {{Damage Control Party}} | |||
+ | * '''Slot 2:''' {{Repair Party}} | |||
+ | * '''Slot 3:''' {{Hydroacoustic Search}} | |||
+ | * '''Slot 4:''' {{Smoke Generator}} '''or''' {{Surveillance Radar}} | |||
+ | ||||
+ | Regardless of how her upgrades and commander skills are organized, ''{{#var:ship_name}}'' lives and dies by intelligent usage of her available consumables. Premium versions are recommended of ALL consumables, but priority should be given to {{Repair Party II}}, {{Hydroacoustic Search II}}, and {{Smoke Generator II}} which directly impact her survivability. | |||
|Camouflage=<!-- write text about useful camouflage below --> | |Camouflage=<!-- write text about useful camouflage below --> | |||
[[Ship:Camouflage#Standard Camouflage|Type 1, 2, or 5 camouflage]] can be equipped for credits; Types 2 or 5 are recommended at a minimum to reduce the accuracy of incoming shells. | [[Ship:Camouflage#Standard Camouflage|Type 1, 2, or 5 camouflage]] can be equipped for credits; Types 2 or 5 are recommended at a minimum to reduce the accuracy of incoming shells. | |||
? | Players who wish to spend doubloons can equip '' | + | Players who wish to spend doubloons can equip ''{{#var:ship_name}}'' with [[Ship:Camouflage#Permanent_Camouflage|Type 19 camouflage]] that lowers her detection radius, reduces the accuracy of incoming shells, reduces her repair costs, and increases the amount of experience she earns. | |
|Signals=<!-- write text about best set of signals below --> | |Signals=<!-- write text about best set of signals below --> | |||
? | Captains who opted for the '''Anti-Aircraft Build''' recommended above are encouraged to equip a November Echo Setteseven | + | Captains who opted for the '''Anti-Aircraft Build''' recommended above are encouraged to equip a November Echo Setteseven ({{November Echo Setteseven|Size=18px}}) signal in order to maximize ''{{#var:ship_name}}''’s AA output. Regardless of configuration, India Delta ({{India Delta|Size=18px}}) and November Foxtrot ({{November Foxtrot|Size=18px}}) signals are also recommended for use. | |
+ | ||||
+ | {{Signal Flags | |||
+ | | November Echo Setteseven = 3 | |||
+ | | Mike Yankee Soxisix = | |||
+ | | India X-Ray = | |||
+ | | Juliet Whiskey Unaone = | |||
+ | | Victor Lima = | |||
+ | | Hotel Yankee = | |||
+ | ||||
+ | | November Foxtrot = 3 | |||
+ | | Sierra Mike = 3 | |||
+ | | India Delta = 3 | |||
+ | | Juliet Yankee Bissotwo = | |||
+ | | India Yankee = | |||
+ | | Juliet Charlie = 2 | |||
+ | ||||
+ | | Zulu = | |||
+ | | India Bravo Terrathree = 2 | |||
+ | | Equal Speed Charlie London = 3 | |||
+ | | Zulu Hotel = | |||
+ | | Papa Papa = | |||
+ | ||||
+ | | Wyvern = | |||
+ | | Red Dragon = 2 | |||
+ | | Dragon Flag = | |||
+ | | Ouroboros = | |||
+ | | Hydra = | |||
+ | | Basilisk = | |||
+ | ||||
+ | | Leviathan = | |||
+ | | Scylla = | |||
+ | }} | |||
|Gallery=<!-- write below list of files with description (if necessary) separated with | --><gallery> | |Gallery=<!-- write below list of files with description (if necessary) separated with | --><gallery> | |||
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|History=<!-- write text below --> | |History=<!-- write text below --> | |||
+ | <div class="thumb tright"> | |||
+ | {{AnnoWiki|content= | |||
+ | <h2>"Neptune Design Y", 1944</h2> | |||
+ | ====Specifications==== | |||
+ | :15,350 tons displacement, standard | |||
+ | :18,740 tons displacement, full load | |||
+ | :199.6m length | |||
+ | :23.2m beam | |||
+ | :7.6m draft, full load | |||
+ | ---- | |||
+ | ====Machinery==== | |||
+ | :4 Admiralty boilers | |||
+ | ---- | |||
+ | ====Performance==== | |||
+ | :33.0 knots at 108,000 shaft horsepower | |||
+ | :7,500nm at 20 knots | |||
+ | ---- | |||
+ | ====Armor==== | |||
+ | :Main belt: 102mm | |||
+ | :Bulkheads: 102mm | |||
+ | :Protective bulkheads in machinery spaces: 32mm | |||
+ | :Magazine bulkheads: 32mm | |||
+ | :Decks: 25mm | |||
+ | :Machinery & Steering Gear Deck: 38mm | |||
+ | :Turrets: 102mm face, 51mm sides, 51mm roof, 51mm rear | |||
+ | :Barbettes: 38mm | |||
+ | ---- | |||
+ | ====Armament==== | |||
+ | =====Main===== | |||
+ | :Twelve (4x3) 152mm /50 QF Mk.V guns | |||
+ | =====Secondary===== | |||
+ | :Twelve (6x2) 114mm /45 QF Mk.V guns | |||
+ | =====Anti Aircraft===== | |||
+ | :Twenty (10x2) 40mm /56.3 OQF Mk.VIII 'Bofors' guns | |||
+ | :Twenty-eight (14x2) 20mm /70 Mk. II 'Oerlikon' guns | |||
+ | =====Torpedoes===== | |||
+ | :Sixteen (4x4) 533mm torpedo tubes | |||
+ | }}</div> | |||
+ | [[File:Neptune_WoWS.png|none|frame|x400px|link=|Side and top down plan of "Design Y", or ''Neptune'' (as it was known later during it's development).]] | |||
+ | ||||
+ | This ship is not to be confused with the ''[[Leander]]''-class ''Neptune''; ''Neptune'' as it appears in World of Warships was also known as "Design Y" of the 1944 Cruiser Design. | |||
+ | ||||
+ | The 1944 New Construction Programme for the Royal Navy called for the building of five, later increased to six new cruisers. Originally, these were to be the design N2 cruiser from 1943, armed with eight 5.25-inch (133mm) guns. However, the new First Sea Lord (Admiral of the Fleet, Sir Andrew Cunningham) insisted upon the new cruisers being armed with at least 6-inch (152mm) guns, which required the development of a new more modern gun and mount. | |||
+ | ||||
+ | Initially decided to be a cruiser with low angle 6-inch guns, Design Y as it was in November 1944 was armed with the new triple Mk.XXV turret, allowing the new 6-inch/50 QF Mk.V guns to be used in an anti-aircraft role, with an elevation of 80°. This was alongside the dual purpose secondary armament of 6 twin 4.5-inch (114mm) turrets of new construction, and a lighter anti-aircraft suite of ten twin 40mm Bofors and fourteen twin 20mm Oerlikons. The twin 40mm Bofors would housed in the new 'Buster' (Bofors Universal Stabilized Tachymetric Electric Radar) mount, however this project was cancelled, echoing the fate of the cruisers they would have armed. The ship itself was very large, displacing 15,350t at a standard load, and having a compliment of 1,351 crew, being fitted out as a flagship. | |||
+ | ||||
+ | By 1946, although design work had progressed, and variations were offered, the Admiralty decided the '1944 cruiser', now known as the ''Neptune'' class was out of date, too expensive and too large, so the 1944 cruiser project was cancelled. The design for the new cruisers passed on to the ''[[Minotaur]]'' class. | |||
+ | ||||
+ | The six cruisers planned to be built were allocated the names ''Neptune, Bellerophon, Centurion, Edgar, Mars'' and ''Minotaur''. ''Bellerophon'' was to be built at the Vickers-Armstrong shipyard on the River Tyne, changing from the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minotaur-class_cruiser_(1943) ''Minotaur''-class cruiser (''Tiger'' sub-class)] she was planned to be originally. | |||
+ | ||||
+ | ==== Historical Inaccuracies ==== | |||
+ | * As designed, the ''Neptune'' class could have had raked tripod masts and funnels, or straight ones. However, in game, she has raked funnels with lattice masts which potentially could have been fitted as a revision to the design at a later date. | |||
+ | * The 'Buster' twin mount for the 40mm Bofors was cancelled, so in game hull (A) uses the RP50 Mk.V twin mount for the 40mm Bofors, and hull (B) uses the Mk.II 'STAAG'. | |||
+ | * Hull (A) uses 14 single 20mm Oerlikons instead of the 14 twin 20mm as designed. | |||
+ | * ''Neptune''’s top speed in game is 0.5 knots too high, 33.5 knots instead of 33.0 knots. | |||
+ | * The permanent camouflage of ''Neptune'' is roughly based on the camouflage carried by the ''[[Leander]]''-class cruiser ''Neptune'' in mid-1941. | |||
+ | ||||
+ | ||||
+ | [[File:Neptune_information_page_266.png|none|frame|link=|Information on the Neptune, from Norman Friedman's "British Cruisers, Two World Wars and After", page 266.]] | |||
? | |HistoricalGallery= | + | |HistoricalGallery= <gallery> | |
+ | File:Neptune_WoWS.png | |||
</gallery> | </gallery> | |||
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|Video=<!-- put below video clips with using template VideoYT. You can use html-tags for formatting. --> | |Video=<!-- put below video clips with using template VideoYT. You can use html-tags for formatting. --> | |||
? | |Ref= | + | |Ref= | |
+ | * British Cruisers, Two world wars and after by Norman Friedman | |||
+ | * [https://www.navweaps.com/Weapons/WNBR_6-50_mkN5.php Information on the 6-inch guns that were to be mounted on the Minotaur, and were later mounted on the post-war Tiger-class cruisers] | |||
+ | * [https://forum.worldofwarships.com/index.php?/topic/106549-design-name-of-the-tier-ix-cl-neptune/ Discussion on the origin of the designs of the Minotaur] | |||
}}<!-- DO NOT DELETE THIS LINE. DO NOT INSERT ANYTHING BELOW THIS LINE --> | }}<!-- DO NOT DELETE THIS LINE. DO NOT INSERT ANYTHING BELOW THIS LINE --> |
Revision as of 18:05, 18 May 2019
152 mm/50 BL Mk.XXIII on a Mk.XXV mount4 х 3 pcs. |
Rate of Fire12.5 shots/min. |
Reload Time4.8 sec. |
Rotation Speed10 deg./sec. |
180 Degree Turn Time18 sec. |
Firing Range15.04 km. |
Maximum Dispersion147 m. |
Chance of Fire on Target Caused by HE Shell0 % |
AP Shell152 mm AP Mk V |
Maximum AP Shell Damage3,200 |
Initial AP Shell Velocity768 m./s. |
AP Shell Weight58.85 kg. |
113 mm/45 QF Mk.V on an RP41 Mk.VI mount6 х 2 pcs. |
Firing Range6.95 km. |
Rate of Fire20 shots/min. |
Reload Time3 sec. |
HE Shell113 mm HE Mk XVI |
Maximum HE Shell Damage1,600 |
Initial HE Shell Velocity746 m./s. |
Chance of Fire on Target Caused by HE Shell7 % |
533 mm QR Mk II4 х 4 pcs. |
Rate of Fire0.63 shots/min. |
Reload Time96 sec. |
Rotation Speed25 deg./sec. |
180 Degree Turn Time7.2 sec. |
Torpedo533 mm Mk IX** |
Maximum Damage15,533 |
Torpedo Speed62 knot |
Torpedo Range9.99 km. |
152 mm/50 BL Mk.XXIII on a Mk.XXV mount4 х 3 pcs. |
. . . Average Damage per Second86.4 |
. . . Firing Range6 km. |
113 mm/45 QF Mk.V on an RP41 Mk.VI mount6 х 2 pcs. |
. . . Average Damage per Second106.8 |
. . . Firing Range5.01 km. |
20 mm Oerlikon Mk.I on a Mk.IIA mount14 х 1 pcs. |
. . . Average Damage per Second50.4 |
. . . Firing Range2.01 km. |
40 mm/56 OQF Mk.XI on a Mk.V mount10 х 2 pcs. |
. . . Average Damage per Second123 |
. . . Firing Range3.51 km. |
Maximum Speed33.5 knot |
Turning Circle Radius790 m. |
Rudder Shift Time15.1 sec. |
Surface Detectability Range12.76 km. |
Air Detectability Range8.52 km. |
Neptune — British Tier IX cruiser.
A light cruiser design created on the basis of experience obtained during World War II. In comparison to previous classes of Royal Navy ships, she had greater dimensions, dual-purpose main guns, and reinforced anti-aircraft and torpedo armament.
Modules
Compatible Upgrades
Slot 1 |
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Slot 2 |
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Slot 3 |
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Slot 4 |
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Slot 5 |
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Slot 6 |
Player Opinion
Performance
Neptune represents the pinnacle of evolution for the Royal Navy's twelve-gun cruisers and is the last ship in the British cruiser line to sport the triple-barreled, quadruple turret configuration that captains of Fiji and Edinburgh are well-acquainted with by this point.
The main improvement from Edinburgh to Neptune is a vast increase in firepower. She upgrades from the Mk XXIII 152mm rifle of her immediate predecessors to the Mk XXV, which — with a base reload time of just 5.0 seconds — represents full 50% boost in her rate-of-fire (70% with the appropriate upgrade). The traverse rate sees a noticeable improvement. The range is improved as well, though the shells still lose velocity quickly, making it a challenge to hit anything smaller than a battleship at long range.
Other aspects of Neptune’s firepower are greatly improved as well. She carries two quadruple-tube torpedo launchers per side, allowing her to devastate unwary ships that attempt to pursue her, sit in smoke, or come around islands. Finally, Neptune’s anti-aircraft suite is one of the most punishing in the game — especially with a commander who has the Level 4 skill Manual Fire Control for AA Armament — as her new Mk XXV main battery guns also function as dual-purpose guns and provide a significant contribution to her AA.
She retains both Edinburgh’s greatly improved Repair Party and access to Surveillance Radar , but her detection range is notably higher; indeed, Neptune has the highest detection radius of all British cruisers. While this impairs her ability to close with and actively hunt enemy destroyers, it isn't a serious handicap as long as her commander has the Concealment Expert skill.
On the downside, she has slightly less armor protection than Edinburgh, but — more worryingly — a much higher citadel. A Neptune exposed with her broadside to enemy cruisers with armor-piercing rounds loaded — or battleships at any angle — can expect to take heavy damage if not wiped off the map in short order. To make matters worse, she is larger and responds more sluggishly than Edinburgh, making it more difficult to dodge enemy fire. Combined, these make it much harder to give up Smoke Generator for Surveillance Radar.
Neptune is capable of performing well as long as her captain keeps her guns pumping rounds at enemy cruisers and destroyers and keeps her highly vulnerable citadel hidden away from enemy battleships and heavy cruisers.Pros:
- Outstanding main battery armament: her twelve 152mm rifles have an excellent rate of fire and turret traverse time, as well as contributing to her anti-aircraft defenses.
- Lots of long range torpedoes (10.0 km) with better reload times than most other torpedo-armed cruisers at her tier.
- First-rate anti-aircraft suite; wrecks planes if her commander has the Manual Fire Control for AA Armament skill.
- Has access to an enhanced version of Repair Party that allows her to regenerate large amounts health.
- Can equip either Smoke Generator or Surveillance Radar.
Cons:
- Large detection radius. Even though Concealment Expert and Concealment System Modification 1 are virtually required to play Neptune to her fullest, she still has large concealment.
- Very weak armor; she can bounce 228mm rounds at certain angles, but will be easily penetrated by shells of a larger caliber.
- Huge citadel that rides quite high above the waterline; can be a shock to new players.
- Very high shell arcs, making it difficult to hit targets at long ranges.
- Somewhat sluggish due to her large size and 710m turning circle.
Research
Optimal Configuration
Unlike Edinburgh, Neptune can't get her detection radius low enough to match her Surveillance Radar range. She's still best when fully rigged for stealth; the question becomes how many points her captain is willing to sink into her anti-aircraft suite.
Upgrades
The recommended upgrades for Neptune are as follows:
- Slot 1: Main Armaments Modification 1 *
- Slot 2: Damage Control System Modification 1
- Slot 3: Aiming Systems Modification 1 *
- Slot 4: Steering Gears Modification 2
- Slot 5: Concealment System Modification 1
- Slot 6: Main Battery Modification 3 *
Upgrade Slot 1 allows players to mount one of two viable options. Main Armaments Modification 1 is a generally viable choice, but players wishing to specialize for anti-aircraft duties should mount Auxiliary Armaments Modification 1 .
Upgrade Slot 3 offers choices for specialization in different roles. Aiming Systems Modification 1 should be equipped for ship-to-ship combat. AA Guns Modification 1 should be mounted when specializing for AA duties.
Upgrade Slot 6 provides choices for increased effectiveness of desired specializations. Main Battery Modification 3 reduces main battery reload time, which benefits Neptune in engagements with enemy ships. With the appropriate commander skills and upgrades, AA Guns Modification 2 () is an easy choice for additional specialization in AA duties, making carrier players rethink their decision to send their planes into the airspace above Neptune.
Commander Skills
Anti-Aircraft Build: Priority Target at Level 1, Expert Marksman at Level 2, Superintendent at Level 3, and Manual Fire Control for AA Armament at Level 4. Concealment Expert should be taken ASAP (either with the 10th point or the 14th). After that, invest points in Basic Firing Training, Adrenaline Rush, Smoke Screen Expert, Jack of All Trades, or Radio Position Finding.
Generalist Build: Priority Target at Level 1, Expert Marksman at Level 2, Superintendent at Level 3, and Concealment Expert at Level 4. Other strong skills worth considering after that include: Adrenaline Rush, Smoke Screen Expert, Radio Position Finding, or Jack of All Trades.
Recommended Commander Skills | ||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Cost (points) |
Endurance | Attack | Support | Versatility | ||||
1 |
★★★ |
★ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
2 |
|
|
★ |
|
★ |
|
★★★ |
|
3 |
|
★ |
|
|
★★ |
★★★ |
|
★ |
4 |
|
|
|
|
★★★ |
|
★★ |
★★★ |
Key: ★★★ - Extremely Useful ★★ - Frequently Useful ★ - Occasionally Useful No stars - Meh Χ - Not recommended |
Consumables
Neptune can equip the following consumables:
- Slot 1: Damage Control Party
- Slot 2: Repair Party
- Slot 3: Hydroacoustic Search
- Slot 4: Smoke Generator or Surveillance Radar
Regardless of how her upgrades and commander skills are organized, Neptune lives and dies by intelligent usage of her available consumables. Premium versions are recommended of ALL consumables, but priority should be given to Repair Party II (), Hydroacoustic Search II (), and Smoke Generator II () which directly impact her survivability.
Camouflage
Type 1, 2, or 5 camouflage can be equipped for credits; Types 2 or 5 are recommended at a minimum to reduce the accuracy of incoming shells.
Players who wish to spend doubloons can equip Neptune with Type 19 camouflage that lowers her detection radius, reduces the accuracy of incoming shells, reduces her repair costs, and increases the amount of experience she earns.
Signals
Captains who opted for the Anti-Aircraft Build recommended above are encouraged to equip a November Echo Setteseven () signal in order to maximize Neptune’s AA output. Regardless of configuration, India Delta () and November Foxtrot () signals are also recommended for use.
Recommended Signal Flags | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Combat | |||||
★★ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
★★★ |
★★★ |
★★★ |
★★★ |
|
|
Note: Use of the Juliet Charlie signal makes detonation impossible.
Gallery
Neptune takes several hits from an enemy North Carolina.
Historical Info
Historical Gallery
References
- British Cruisers, Two world wars and after by Norman Friedman
- Information on the 6-inch guns that were to be mounted on the Minotaur, and were later mounted on the post-war Tiger-class cruisers
- Discussion on the origin of the designs of the Minotaur