Zara

13.3

Zara

Cruiser | Italy | Tier VII

Tech Tree Position

stock

 top

General

Research price68000 exp

Purchase price5,700,000

Hit Points32,700

Main Battery

203 mm/53 Model 1927 on a Model 1927 mount4 х 2 pcs.

Rate of Fire4.14 shots/min.

Reload Time14.5 sec.

Rotation Speed7 deg./sec.

180 Degree Turn Time25.71 sec.

Firing Range14.65 km.

Maximum Dispersion144 m.

Chance of Fire on Target Caused by HE Shell0 %

AP Shell203 mm proiettili AP 1927

Maximum AP Shell Damage4,800

Initial AP Shell Velocity900 m./s.

AP Shell Weight125.3 kg.

Maximum SAP Shell Damage5,050

Initial SAP Shell Velocity900 m./s.

Secondary Armament #1

100 mm/47 Model 1924/27/28 on a Eugenio Minisini mount6 х 2 pcs.

Firing Range5.6 km.

Rate of Fire10 shots/min.

Reload Time6 sec.

HE Shell100 mm proiettili HE

Maximum HE Shell Damage1,500

Initial HE Shell Velocity850 m./s.

Chance of Fire on Target Caused by HE Shell6 %

Torpedo Tubes

533 mm tubo lanciasiluri2 х 3 pcs.

Rate of Fire0.85 shots/min.

Reload Time71 sec.

Rotation Speed25 deg./sec.

180 Degree Turn Time7.2 sec.

Torpedo533 mm Si 270 M

Maximum Damage12,667

Torpedo Speed51 knot

Torpedo Range12 km.

AA Defense

100 mm/47 Model 1924/27/28 on a Eugenio Minisini mount6 х 2 pcs.

. . . Average Damage per Second39.6

. . . Firing Range3.99 km.

13.2 mm/76 Breda Model 1931 on a twin mount2 х 2 pcs.

. . . Average Damage per Second8.2

. . . Firing Range1.2 km.

37 mm/54 Model 1938 on a Model 1938 mount4 х 2 pcs.

. . . Average Damage per Second46.4

. . . Firing Range3.51 km.

20 mm/65 Breda Model 1935 on a Model 1935 mount4 х 2 pcs.

. . . Average Damage per Second13.6

. . . Firing Range2.01 km.

Maneuverability

Maximum Speed32 knot

Turning Circle Radius580 m.

Rudder Shift Time13.7 sec.

Concealment

Surface Detectability Range13.54 km.

Air Detectability Range6.98 km.

Battle Levels

12345678910

13.3

Zara

Cruiser | Italy | Tier VII

Tech Tree Position

stock

 top

General

Research price68000 exp

Purchase price5,700,000

Hit Points37,100

Main Battery

203 mm/53 Model 1927 on a Model 1927 mount4 х 2 pcs.

Rate of Fire4.14 shots/min.

Reload Time14.5 sec.

Rotation Speed7 deg./sec.

180 Degree Turn Time25.71 sec.

Firing Range16.12 km.

Maximum Dispersion144 m.

Chance of Fire on Target Caused by HE Shell0 %

AP Shell203 mm proiettili AP 1927

Maximum AP Shell Damage4,800

Initial AP Shell Velocity900 m./s.

AP Shell Weight125.3 kg.

Maximum SAP Shell Damage5,050

Initial SAP Shell Velocity900 m./s.

Secondary Armament #1

100 mm/47 Model 1924/27/28 on a Eugenio Minisini mount6 х 2 pcs.

Firing Range5.6 km.

Rate of Fire10 shots/min.

Reload Time6 sec.

HE Shell100 mm proiettili HE

Maximum HE Shell Damage1,500

Initial HE Shell Velocity850 m./s.

Chance of Fire on Target Caused by HE Shell6 %

Torpedo Tubes

533 mm tubo lanciasiluri2 х 3 pcs.

Rate of Fire0.85 shots/min.

Reload Time71 sec.

Rotation Speed25 deg./sec.

180 Degree Turn Time7.2 sec.

Torpedo533 mm Si 270 M

Maximum Damage12,667

Torpedo Speed51 knot

Torpedo Range12 km.

AA Defense

100 mm/47 Model 1924/27/28 on a Eugenio Minisini mount6 х 2 pcs.

. . . Average Damage per Second39.6

. . . Firing Range3.99 km.

20 mm/65 Model 1939 on a Model 1939 mount10 х 1 pcs.

. . . Average Damage per Second23

. . . Firing Range2.01 km.

37 mm/54 Model 1938 on a Model 1938 mount6 х 2 pcs.

. . . Average Damage per Second69.6

. . . Firing Range3.51 km.

20 mm/65 Breda Model 1935 on a Model 1935 mount4 х 2 pcs.

. . . Average Damage per Second13.6

. . . Firing Range2.01 km.

Maneuverability

Maximum Speed32 knot

Turning Circle Radius580 m.

Rudder Shift Time9.8 sec.

Concealment

Surface Detectability Range13.54 km.

Air Detectability Range6.98 km.

Battle Levels

12345678910

VII

5,700,000

Zara — Italian Tier VII cruiser.

Under the 1928–1929 program, four cruisers of the new Zara class featuring a 150 mm armor belt were to be built to counter the French cruisers, which had 203 mm artillery. Lead ship Zara was laid down in 1929. Three years later, she entered service and became the flagship of the 1st Squadron. The cruiser led the cover of the Italian landing force in Durres. During World War II, she participated in the battle near Punta Stilo, where she was attacked by her own air force. In a battle near Cape Matapan, Zara was attacked by British forces and sunk by destroyer HMS Jervis.

Modules

	Rate of Fire (shots/min)	180° Turn Time (sec)	Maximum Dispersion (m)	Maximum HE Shell Damage (HP)	Chance of Fire on Target Caused by HE Shell (%)	Maximum AP Shell Damage (HP)		Research price (exp)	Purchase price ()
203 mm/53 Model 1927 on a Model 1927 mount	4.1	25.7	144			4,800		0	440,000

	Hit Points (HP)	Armor (mm)	Armor (mm)	Main Turrets (pcs.)	Secondary Gun Turrets (pcs.)	AA Mounts (pcs.)	Torpedo Tubes (pcs.)	Hangar Capacity (pcs.)		Research price (exp)	Purchase price ()
Zara (A)	32,700	13	150	4	6	2/4/4/6	2			0	610,000
Zara (B)	37,100	13	150	4	6	10/6	2			19,500	1,250,000

	Rate of Fire (shots/min)	Torpedo Tubes Reload Time (sec)	180° Turn Time (sec)	Maximum Damage (HP)	Torpedo Speed (knot)	Torpedo Range (km)		Research price (exp)	Purchase price ()
533 mm Si 270 M	0.8	71	7.2	12,666	51	12		0	400,000

	IDS_SHIP_PARAM_SUO_INCREASE_DIST (%)	Maximum Firing Range (km)		Research price (exp)	Purchase price ()
SDT 7 mod.1		0		0	400,000
SDT 7 mod.2		0		11,500	770,000

	Maximum Speed (knot)		Research price (exp)	Purchase price ()
Propulsion: 95,000 hp	32		0	390,000

Compatible Upgrades

Slot 1
Slot 2
Slot 3
Slot 4

Player Opinion

Performance

Zara builds upon the strengths of her predecessor, while addressing some of the shortcomings of the Trento. Zara retains the 4x2 203mm main battery -- however with upgraded shells that are superior in terms of alpha damage and shell velocity. Although the citadel remains prominent, the upper belt armor has been made thicker, allowing for more effective kiting. The maximum concealment has been slightly improved and the hit point pool is now among the best in tier. Veteran players will be able to abuse the tightened turning circle to dodge long range fire. Overall, while the Zara remains a difficult ship for inexperienced players to master, long-time cruiser players will be rewarded for their mechanical skill and game knowledge.

Pros:

• Excellent alpha strike potential with upgraded 4x2 203mm SAP shells, highly effective against Destroyers and Cruisers.
• Good range (16.12km) which can be further increased with spotter plane.
• Versatile triple torpedo launchers per side with good firing angles and 12km range.
• High base health pool of 37,100hp.
• Exhaust Smoke Generator  and excellent turning circle allow for effective dodging and disengaging.
• 30mm upper belt can bounce ≤429mm AP rounds from battleships.

Cons:

• Poor vision control with a 12.19km fully upgraded detection.
• Cannot effectively engaged nose-in targets with SAP or AP. Will lose DPM fights against HE-equipped cruisers.
• Prominent citadel and 25mm deck armor scheme remain vulnerable to the majority of BBs in her matchmaking spread.
• Lack of Hydroacoustic Search  makes solo hunting DDs challenging.
• Lackluster AA-range cannot adequately deter carrier strikes.

Research

Availability of researchable upgrades for Zara is as follows:

• Hull: Upgrade to Hull (B) for better armor and anti-air defenses. Research of this module unlocks progression to Amalfi.
• Gun Fire Control System: Upgrade for an extra 10% range on the main battery.

Optimal Configuration

Upgrades

The recommended upgrades for Zara are as follows:

• Slot 1: Main Armaments Modification 1 or Spotting Aircraft Modification 1
• Slot 2: Engine Room Protection
• Slot 3: Aiming Systems Modification 1
• Slot 4: Steering Gears Modification 1 or Propulsion Modification 1

Commander Skills

Like the Trento before her, Zara captains are not under a high amount of pressure when it comes to skill point distribution, due to the absence of HE shells and a limited number of consumables. The primary consideration is whether the player wishes to build the captain towards increased DD-hunting effectiveness [Vigilance + Radio Position Finding] or general purpose survivability [Survivability Expert, Preventative Maintenance, and/or Incoming Fire Alert].

Recommended Commander Skills
Cost (points)	Attack				Defense
1	Grease the Gears +15% main battery traverse speed. ★	Swift Fish +5% torpedo speed.	Consumables Specialist −7.5% cooldown time of all Consumables except:  Damage Control Party   Repair Party .	Gun Feeder -40% time to switch shell type. ★★★	Incoming Fire Alert Receive a warning of a salvo fired at your ship from more than 4.5km. ★★	Last Stand The ship remains able to move and maneuver - slowly - while the engine or steering gears are incapacitated.
2	Demolition Expert +1% chance of main and secondary HE shells causing a fire. +15% to the fragmentation damage area of HE ordnance fired at submarines.	Fill the Tubes -10% torpedo tubes reload time.	Consumables Enhancements +10% action time of Hydroacoustic Search, Surveillance Radar, Smoke Generator, & Engine Boost.	Eye in the Sky Spotting Aircraft: • +2 charges • -50% cooldown time. ★★	Priority Target The detection indicator will show the number of enemies targeting you with main battery. ★★	Focus Fire Training In an active priority AA sector: •  +1.5% (to 5%) immediate damage. •  +25% continuous damage. •  +1 flak burst per salvo. −10% aircraft preparation time. −15% reload time of Airstrike armament..
3	Heavy HE and SAP Shells +10% HE and SAP shell damage. +15% ship detectability guns 149mm and up. ★★	Pack a Punch +15% torpedo damage. +20% secondary battery range..	Adrenaline Rush -0.2% reload time of all armaments per 1% HP lost +0.2% AA continuous damage per 1% HP lost. ★★★	Heavy AP Shells +5% damage for AP shells 190mm and larger.	Superintendent +1 charge to all consumables. ★★★	Survivability Expert +450 HP per ship tier. ★★
4	Top Grade Gunner -10% reload time of secondary batteries If enemy ship is spotted within detectability range, -8% reload time of main battery. ★	Outnumbered If there are fewer allies than visible enemies within the ship's base main caliber firing range: +8% ship speed -10% main battery dispersion.	Radio Location Shows the direction to the nearest enemy ship. The enemy is alerted that a bearing has been taken..	Inertial Fuse for HE Shells +25% armor penetration of HE shells Base fire chance reduced by half.	Concealment Expert -10% detectability range of the ship. ★★★	AAA & ASW Expert +25% continuous AA and flak damage. +15% damage inflicted by depth charges. While AAA is active: −50% ship consumables reload time..
Key: ★★★ - Extremely Useful      ★★ - Frequently Useful      ★ - Occasionally Useful     No stars - Not Useful

Consumables

Zara can equip the following consumables:

• Slot 1: Damage Control Party 
• Slot 2: Exhaust Smoke Generator 
• Slot 3: Catapult Fighter  or Spotting Aircraft 

Signals

Zara players should prioritize X-Ray Papa Unaone to boost the ship's strongest consumable; Sierra Mike and November Foxtrot will also be useful in every battle. Players who have faced detonation problems will want to consider mounting Juliet Charlie.

Recommended Signal Flags
Combat
Juliet Charlie -100% to the risk of magazine detonation. ★★	Juliet Yankee Bissotwo -20% to flooding duration.	India Yankee -20% to fire duration. ★	Hotel Yankee -20% to damage received when ramming the enemy. +50% to damage dealt when ramming the enemy. ★	Victor Lima +1% chance for HE bombs and shells with a caliber above 160mm causing a fire. +0.5% chance for bombs and smaller shells causing a fire. +4% chance of torpedoes causing flooding.	India X-Ray +1% chance for HE bombs and shells with a caliber above 160mm causing a fire. +0.5% chance for bombs and smaller shells causing a fire. +5% to the risk of your ship's magazine detonating.
Juliet Whiskey Unaone +15% chance of causing flooding. +5% to the risk of your ship's magazine detonating. ★	Mike Yankee Soxisix +5% to secondary battery maximum firing range. -5% to maximum dispersion of secondary battery shells. -5% to secondary battery loading time.	November Echo Setteseven +5% continuous AA damage at all ranges. +5% damage from flak bursts. ★	Sierra Mike +5% to the ship's maximum speed. ★★★	November Foxtrot -5% reload time on all consumables. ★★	India Delta +20% to the amount of HP recovered when Repair Party  is used.
X-Ray Papa Unaone +10% action time of a Smoke Generator . ★★★	Sierra Bravo +10% action time of Hydroacoustic Search  -10% reload time of Defensive AA Fire .

Note: Use of the Juliet Charlie signal makes detonation impossible.

Gallery

• 

  Zara with Grigio-azzurro chiaro alternate permanent camouflage

Historical Info

Zara was a heavy cruiser built for the Italian Regia Marina (Royal Navy), the lead ship of the Zara class. Named after the Italian city of Zara (now Zadar, Croatia), the ship was built at the Odero-Terni-Orlando shipyard beginning with her keel laying in July 1928, launching in April 1930, and commissioning in October 1931. Armed with a main battery of eight 8-inch (200 mm) guns, she was nominally within the 10,000-long-ton (10,000 t) limit imposed by the Washington Naval Treaty, though in reality she significantly exceeded this figure.
Zara saw extensive service during the first two years of Italy's participation in World War II, having taken part in several sorties to catch British convoys in the Mediterranean as the flagship of the 1st Division. She was present during the Battle of Calabria in July 1940, the Battle of Taranto in November 1940, and the Battle of Cape Matapan in March 1941. In the last engagement, Zara and her sister ships Fiume and Pola were sunk in a close-range night engagement with three British battleships. Most of her crew, 783 officers and sailors, including the divisional commander Admiral Carlo Cattaneo, were killed in the sinking.

Historical Inaccuracies

• In-game model is actually Gorizia, Zara's sister ship.
• Original 1931 condition is missing. See Gorizia for the near historical version.
• Both hull modules have unhistorical AA. Zara was armed with four twin 37 mm Breda anti-aircraft guns, four twin 13.2 mm machine guns and six twin 100 mm dual-purpose guns. The last surviving ship, Gorizia, had six twin 37 mm Breda AA guns, fourteen 20 mm Breda guns (six twin and two single mounts) and six twin 100 mm DP guns.
• Two 120 mm star shell guns are missing. Zara, Fiume and Pola still carried them at the time of their sinking while Gorizia used them until 1942.
• The Zara class were originally designed with torpedo tubes, but these were subsequently removed from the design in an attempt to keep displacement below the limits of the Washington Naval Treaty.

Historical Gallery

• 

  Zara (second from right) along with Fiume and Pola in Naples

• 

  Map of the movements of the Italian and British fleets during the Battle of Cape Matapan

References

1. Italian cruiser Zara - Wikipedia
2. Zara-class cruiser - Wikipedia
   

Ships of Italy

Cruisers