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Pensacola

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Pensacola
Pensacola_wows_main.jpg
Cruiser | U.S.A. | Tier VI
Tech Tree Position
Omaha
Arrow_down.png
Pensacola_icon_small.png
Arrow_down.png
New Orleans
stock
 top
General
Research price33000 exp
Purchase price2,800,000 Credits
Hit Points31,200 
Main Battery
203 mm/55 Mk.14 on a twin mount2 х 2 / 2 х 3 pcs.
Rate of Fireshots/min.
Reload Time15 sec.
Rotation Speeddeg./sec.
180 Degree Turn Time45 sec.
Firing Range14.25 km.
Maximum Dispersion131 m.
HE Shell203 mm HE/HC Mk25 
Maximum HE Shell Damage2,800 
Chance of Fire on Target Caused by HE Shell14 %
Initial HE Shell Velocity823 m./s.
HE Shell Weight118 kg.
AP Shell203 mm AP Mk19 
Maximum AP Shell Damage4,600 
Initial AP Shell Velocity853 m./s.
AP Shell Weight118 kg.
Secondary Armament #1
127 mm/25 Mk.19 on a Mk.19 mount8 х 1 pcs.
Firing Range4.96 km.
Rate of Fire13.33 shots/min.
Reload Time4.5 sec.
HE Shell127 mm HE/HC Mk36 
Maximum HE Shell Damage1,800 
Initial HE Shell Velocity657 m./s.
Chance of Fire on Target Caused by HE Shell%
AA Defense
127 mm/25 Mk.19 on a Mk.19 mount8 х 1 pcs.
. . . Average Damage per Second58.4 
. . . Firing Range4.2 km.
20 mm Oerlikon on a Mk.4 mount8 х 1 pcs.
. . . Average Damage per Second28.8 
. . . Firing Range2.01 km.
28 mm Mk.1 on a Mk.2 mount4 х 4 pcs.
. . . Average Damage per Second9.2 
. . . Firing Range2.4 km.
Maneuverability
Maximum Speed32.5 knot
Turning Circle Radius620 m.
Rudder Shift Time9.1 sec.
Concealment
Surface Detectability Range13.74 km.
Air Detectability Range6.24 km.
Battle Levels
12345678910
Wows_anno_flag_usa.png
VI
Ship_PASC106_Pensacola_1944.png
2,800,000

Pensacola — American Tier VI cruiser.

The first cruisers of the U.S. Navy built in accordance with the guidelines outlined by the Washington Naval Treaty. To ensure sufficient firepower, ten 203 mm guns were distributed among four turrets. Due to the narrow hull, triple-gun turrets were mounted in an elevated position. During World War II, USS Pensacola played a significant role in the Battle of Midway as an escort for aircraft carriers Yorktown and Enterprise. She later participated in the campaign in the Solomon Islands, serving as an escort for aircraft carrier Hornet. During the course of the war, the ship was awarded 13 battle stars.

Modules

Main Battery Guns 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
(Credits)
203 mm/55 Mk.14 on a triple mount/twin mount4451312,800144,600 0225,000
Hull 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
(Credits)
Pensacola (A)31,20061022/288/4/8 0375,000
Pensacola (B)32,70061022/2817/6 9,800780,000
Fire Control System IDS_SHIP_PARAM_SUO_INCREASE_DIST
(%)
Maximum Firing Range
(km)
Research price
(exp)
Purchase price
(Credits)
Mk6 mod. 10 0205,000
Mk6 mod. 20 5,500440,000
Engine Maximum Speed
(knot)
Research price
(exp)
Purchase price
(Credits)
Propulsion: 107,000 hp32.5 0190,000

Compatible Upgrades

 Slot 1 
Main Armaments Modification 1
Auxiliary Armaments Modification 1
Magazine Modification 1
Damage Control Party Modification 1
 Slot 2 
Damage Control System Modification 1
Defensive AA Fire Modification 1
Hydroacoustic Search Modification 1
Engine Room Protection
 Slot 3 
Main Battery Modification 2
Secondary Battery Modification 1
AA Guns Modification 1
Aiming Systems Modification 1
 Slot 4 
Damage Control System Modification 2
Propulsion Modification 1
Steering Gears Modification 1
Airstrike Modification 1

Player Opinion

Performance

Warning. The data presented in the AA Defense sidebar section may be incorrect.
Refer to the in-game Port screens for more useful data.

As the first ship in the US heavy cruiser branch, Pensacola serves as a great example to how the rest of her line plays.

Despite her historical reputation, Pensacola is well protected for her tier. Her 25mm bow and stern armor is thick enough to bounce up to 356mm AP shells. A heavily angled Pensacola can prove difficult to kill for battleships. However, any shells that do penetrate her armor will deal significant damage due to her poorly protected citadel. This includes battleships carrying guns larger than 356mm. It is also not uncommon for broadside Pensacolas to die at full health from a battleship salvo. So while Pensacola 's armor is strong when employed properly, she will can die quickly if poorly angled or facing battleships with 380mm or larger guns.

Pensacola has amazing guns for her tier. Her ten 203mm guns and powerful AP rounds can potentially one hit kill vulnerable broadside cruisers, or at least deal significant damage. Unique to US heavy cruisers, her AP rounds can penetrate enemy at angles that would cause normal AP rounds to bounce. Her HE is no slouch either with hard hitting salvos that often lights fires. Though Pensacola has formidable firepower, this comes with a few caveats. Due to her slow turret traverse — as slow as some battleships — it can be very difficult to keep track of targets at closer ranges and react quickly enough to enemies showing broadside. A relatively long reload can also sometimes prevent her from punishing broadsides. Pensacola gun ballistics is a mixed blessing. Though its floaty arcs can make it difficult to hit enemies at longer ranges, it also gives her an easier time when firing over islands and keeping her safe from potential threats.

Pensacola 's AA suite is relatively strong for her tier, proving more capable than most other Tier VI cruisers. While good enough to fend off Tier VI carriers, like other Tier VI ships she will struggle against Tier VIII carriers. Regardless of which carrier she is defending against, Pensacola should use her exceptional maneuverability to dodge or mitigate incoming threats.

Pensacola 's overall maneuverability is excellent. Blessed with a responsive rudder and small turning circle, she can dodge long range incoming fire with a good captain at the helm. Her top speed is average, but enough for her to get to where she is needed.

Arguably the only major disadvantage Pensacola suffers from is her poor surface detection. The lowest surface detection she can achieve is 12.4km, comparable to some battleships such as New Mexico. This can make it difficult for Pensacola to get close to enemy ships or to escape focus fire.

As the first US heavy cruiser available to most players, Pensacola serves as a great introduction to the US heavy cruiser play style. Experience with playing Pensacola will allow players to quickly adjust to her successor ships when progressing up the tech tree. Although they can play like typical long range HE farming cruisers, the US heavy cruisers excel at close range gun fights due to their powerful AP rounds and respectable reload. Ideally Pensacola likes to position on the flanks where her powerful AP salvos can devastate broadside enemy ships. When possible, she should close to within 5-10km of the enemy, using islands or smoke to hide her movements. If she can sneak up to unaware enemies, one good salvo can end the fight before it even begins. Pensacola players should be cautious when fighting battleships. While her 25mm armor will bounce 356mm AP rounds when angled, any larger caliber shell will punch through without issue. Pensacola will also go down quickly if she doesn't properly angle due to her poorly protected citadel. Overall Pensacola is a powerful Tier VI cruiser that doubles as a training vessel for players learning the US heavy cruiser play style.

Pros:

  • 25mm armored bow and stern, allowing Pensacola to bounce 14" caliber AP rounds when angled
  • Excellent main battery guns; Pensacola boasts good firing angles for all ten guns
  • Improved AP rounds, like other US Heavy Cruisers they can penetrate more heavily angled targets compared to other ships
  • Powerful broadside salvo, a well aimed AP salvo can kill broadside cruisers in one devastating strike
  • Good anti-aircraft armament; lacks the range of American light cruiser counterpart Dallas, but makes up for it with more mid-range power.
  • Outstanding maneuverability and handling characteristics.

Cons:

  • Vulnerable broadside due to her poorly protected citadel, can take massive damage if not angled properly
  • Very slow turret traverse, comparable to battleships in sluggishness.
  • Second slowest rate of fire of all Tier VI cruisers, only Admiral Graf Spee has a slower rate of fire.
  • Lacks any torpedoes, Pensacola can struggle at very close ranges due to lack of torpedoes
  • Poor concealment; has the same base concealment as same tier American battleship New Mexico.

Research

Availability of researchable upgrades for Pensacola is as follows:

  • Hull: Upgrade to Hull (B) for slightly more hit points, more anti-air capabilities, and better rudder shift time. Research of this module unlocks progression to New Orleans.
  • Gun Fire Control System: Upgrade to Mk6 mod. 2 for an extra 10% range on the main battery.

Optimal Configuration

Upgrades

The recommended upgrades for Pensacola are as follows:

Commander Skills

Consumables

Pensacola can equip the following consumables:

Signals

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

Gallery

Historical Info

Historical Gallery

References

  1. World War II Database
  2. USS Pensacola (CA-24) - Wikipedia
  3. Pensacola-class cruiser - Wikipedia
  4. Historyofwar.org
  5. ibiblio.org
  6. Snapp, Ray; Jarman, Eugene; Grantham, Trevor W. 1992 USS Pensacola (CA-24): "The Grey Ghost". Paducah, Ky. : Turner Pub. Co. (confirmation of nickname)


Ship Change Log

See here for links to Update notes.

Testing Changes

  • February 24, 2018:
    • Preliminary characteristics (as Salt Lake City).
  • March 16, 2018:
    • The 203 mm/55 Mk14 main battery modules were adjusted:
      • The researchable version was removed, leaving only the base version able to be mounted.
    • Detectability was increased from 12.78 to 14.16 km.
  • April 17, 2018:
    • 203mm/55 Mk14 main battery guns were replaced with 203mm/50 Mk14 guns, with adjusted ballistics:
      • HE shell velocity was increased from 792 to 823 m/s.
      • AP shell velocity was increased from 792 to 853 m/s.
      • Maximum AP shell damage was increased from 4,500 to 4,600.
  • Added to the game in Update 0.1.3 (alpha version).
  • Update 0.5.1:
    • The number of charges of the "Catapult fighter I" / "Spotting aircraft I" consumable was increased to 4 ( "Catapult fighter II" / " Spotting aircraft II" - up to 5).
    • 203 mm AP shells' ricochet angles improved from 45 - 60 degrees to 60 - 67.5 degrees.
  • Update 0.5.2:
    • Number of guns on Hull A was increased from 8 to 10.
    • Experience earnings increased by 5 %.
    • Credit earnings increased by 4 %.
  • Update 0.5.5:
    • The armor of the turrets and the hull was increased from 5 to 6 mm.
  • Update 0.5.8:
    • The armored model of the hull was refined.
  • Update 0.5.9:
    • Armor model fixed: the barbette of the first main-battery turret was extended to the magazine deck.
  • Update 0.5.15:
    • Air defense mounts were added to the main hull. Close range aura damage (2 km) changed from 54 to 61.
    • Due to the above, the position of the camera on the guns was adjusted. The cameras are now slightly raised.
  • Update 0.6.7:
    • To distribute HP points evenly over the ship's hull in the stock configuration, the number of HP points in the stern was increased by 22%. The change did not affect the total HP of the ship.
  • Update 0.6.8:
    • Improved appearance with the use of a special technology for rendering thin elements (mainly rigging).
  • Update 0.6.12:
    • Detectability when firing main guns in smoke changed to 7.32 km.
    • Fixed minor visual issues with geometry and textures.
  • Update 0.6.13:
    • Fire extinguishing time now 30 s instead of 60 s.
    • The survivability of air defense weapons was tested and brought to a single standard. The change affects 40 mm guns.
  • Update 0.6.15:
    • On the permanent camouflage "Type 17", the discount on ship maintenance was increased from 5 to 10 %.
  • Update 0.7.5:
    • Pensacola was moved to Tier VI with changes in her characteristics.
  • Update 0.7.6:
    • Fixed description in the Port.
  • Update 0.7.7:
    • Minor fixes to geometry and textures on the ship and her camouflage.
  • Update 0.7.9:
    • Minor fixes to geometry and textures.
  • Update 0.7.10:
    • The range of the Hydroacoustic Search consumable was unified - 4 km for detecting ships, 3 km for detecting torpedoes.
  • Update 0.9.2:
    • The armor thickness was changed: the central section was increased from 16 to 25 mm.
  • Update 0.9.3:
    • Armoring of extremities was increased from 16 to 25 mm.
  • Update 0.10.0:
    • The firing range of the secondary battery was increased to 4.95 km.
  • Update 13.1:
    • The Thief's Future permanent camouflage was added.
  • Update 13.2:
    • Fixed textures for the Thief's Future permanent camouflage.

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