Álvaro de Bazán

13.9

Destroyer | Spain | Tier X

Tech Tree Position

Battle Levels

12345678910

X

Special

Álvaro de Bazán — Spanish special premium Tier X destroyer.

During the Civil War, the Spanish Navy lost many ships; for this reason, as soon as the war ended, Spain started rebuilding its navy. In 1940, design work for a destroyer leader commenced. They produced three designs, one of which was Álvaro de Bazán—she was based on an Italian Capitani Romani-class light cruiser. The design was never implemented due to the involvement of Italy in World War II.

Álvaro de Bazán was first released for sale on 7 September 2022.

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 ()
135 mm/45 Model 1938 on a Model 1938 mount	10.9	18	109	1,950	9	2,500		0	0

	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 ()
Álvaro de Bazán	26,600	6	20	4		10/2	2			0	0

	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 it	0.7	90	7.2	13,900	56	13.5		0	0

	IDS_SHIP_PARAM_SUO_INCREASE_DIST (%)	Maximum Firing Range (km)		Research price (exp)	Purchase price ()
SCI Mk X Mod. 1		0		0	0

	Maximum Speed (knot)		Research price (exp)	Purchase price ()
Propulsion: 110,000 hp	40		0	0

Compatible Upgrades

Slot 1
Slot 2
Slot 3
Slot 4
Slot 5
Slot 6

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.

Combat Capability - Alternative Firing Modes

Álvaro de Bazán can alternate between a regular firing mode and a Burst Fire firing mode. Firing the guns with the alternative firing mode enabled will fire 3 salvos in quick succession with reduced dispersion. This firing mode takes much longer to reload.

Requirements:

Burst fire can be toggled on and off at will.

Effects:

Maximum shell dispersion: -10%
Reload time: 21 seconds
Interval between individual shots: 1.2 seconds
Number of bursts in a series: 3

Tier X destroyer Álvaro de Bazán marks Spain’s second entry into the game and its first high tier ship. Primarily a long range gunboat, Álvaro de Bazán shares many common traits with her counterparts Khabarovsk and Kléber. But her unique burst fire mechanic sets her apart.

Armament

Like other gun-focused destroyers, Álvaro de Bazán's primary source of damage is her main battery guns. She mounts eight 135mm guns in four twin turrets. Her main battery range is above average for Tier X, although slightly below average compared to her gunboat counterparts. However, both her 5.5 second main battery reload and 18 second turret traverse are among the worst in tier. Her HE and AP shells both deal high damage, and her HE shells have a high base fire chance while her AP shells penetrate more armor than most destroyers. However, her slow reload leaves her sustained DPM and fires set per minute well below the competition. And other gunboats with strong AP like Kléber and Elbing, and even Khabarovsk, can penetrate even thicker armor. Although she struggles in a DPM fight, her flat ballistics and fast shell flight times allow her to reliably engage targets at any range.

Álvaro de Bazán features the burst fire mechanic found on some super ships. When selected, she can fire several salvos in quick succession with reduced dispersion, but suffers a substantially longer reload afterward. It’s best used for quickly finishing a low health destroyer or trying to set some fires after her target uses Damage Control Party. Otherwise, the longer reload is a significant trade-off, and she should stick to regular fire mode.

In addition to her main guns, Álvaro de Bazán carries eight torpedoes in two centerline racks, identical to those found on Attilio Regolo. Their 13.5km range is above average for the tier, and they reload quickly at only 90 seconds, but they’re some of the slowest and lowest damaging torpedoes at Tier X. Agile targets will easily dodge them if spotted, so they’re best used against large and clumsy battleships or fired toward strategic choke points.

Consumables

Álvaro de Bazán's consumable suite is the bare minimum expected of most destroyers. In addition to the standard destroyer Damage Control Party, she carries a Smoke Generator and Engine Boost. Both have three charges by default with the same action times and cooldowns as most other destroyers.

Although her consumables synergize well with her gunboat playstyle, the limited selection doesn’t bring anything distinctive.

Maneuverability

Like Khabarovsk, Álvaro de Bazán is fast. Her 40 knot top speed is among the highest in the game, and can be further increased with her Engine Boost consumable. With her Engine Boost active and the Sierra Mike flag mounted, she can reach a blistering 45 knots.

However, that high speed comes at the expense of agility. Her rudder shift is slow for a destroyer, and her turning circle is decidedly average. She can move around the map quickly, but doesn’t turn well. She can easily deal with most targets at longer ranges, but will struggle to avoid torpedoes and enemy fire at close range.

Survivability

Álvaro de Bazán is fairly durable for a destroyer. Although she lacks thick armor or a Repair Party like Khabarovsk and Ragnar or Kléber’s French saturation, she still boasts one of the largest health pools of Tier X destroyers. She can survive longer than many other destroyers, but any damage she takes is permanent. Whenever possible, she should use cover, her smokescreens, and distance to avoid taking unnecessary damage.

Her surface concealment is average at best. Reaching 6.2km when fully specced, she is stealthier than many other dedicated gunboat destroyers, but most torpedo and hybrid destroyers will still outspot her. Additionally, her air detection range is on the high end, leaving her more vulnerable to spotting from aircraft.

Anti-aircraft

Álvaro de Bazán cannot defend herself from planes. She’s one of the few destroyers at Tier X with absolutely no long range defenses, and as a result has no flak either. Her mid range mounts are the weakest in tier as well.

The majority of her AA damage comes from her short range mounts. They reach out to 3km, further than most Tier X destroyers, and deal more damage. But like most other short range defenses, they offer little protection in practice. Planes will be well into their attack run (or have already dropped their armament) before they begin firing.

Álvaro de Bazán must be careful in carrier matches. If planes become a threat, she needs to disengage to avoid them or seek allied air cover.

Battle performance

Like her gunboat counterparts, Álvaro de Bazán is most comfortable sitting at medium and long range, dealing damage to whatever she can while using her distance and speed to dodge return fire. Her torpedoes are effective for area denial and against large and distracted targets, but her guns are her bread and butter. Due to her higher detection, she prefers sitting back and providing support for the stealthier destroyers fighting over caps. She can get close and fill a more traditional destroyer role when the team lineup forces her to, but she isn’t suited for close range engagements where her poor agility and slow turret traverse make her an easy target for the enemy destroyer.

Her high speed allows her to react quickly as the battle develops, repositioning where her guns are needed most. Her burst fire mechanic allows her to quickly eliminate a low health target or deal a bit more damage before ducking behind island cover. She may not be the strongest or most unique gunboat in the battle, but she’s reliable and effective enough to carry her own weight while offering a slightly different take on the longer range/slower reload gunboat play style.

Pros:

Large health pool
High HE and AP shell damage
AP shells penetrate more armor
Fast torpedo reload with good range
High top speed

Cons:

Slow main battery reload
Low AP and HE DPM
Slow turret traverse
Slow, low damaging torpedoes
Very weak AA defenses
Poor agility
Limited consumable suite

Research

As a premium ship, Álvaro de Bazán has no module upgrades to research.

Optimal Configuration

Upgrades

The recommended upgrades are:

Slot 1: Main Armaments Modification 1
Slot 2: Engine Room Protection or Engine Boost Modification 1
Slot 3: Aiming Systems Modification 1
Slot 4: Propulsion Modification 1 or Steering Gears Modification 1
Slot 5: Concealment System Modification 1 
Slot 6: Main Battery Modification 3

Commander Skills

Recommended Commander Skills
Cost (points)	Attack				Defense
1	Grease the Gears +15% main battery traverse speed. ★	Liquidator +30% chance (multiplicative) of causing flooding.	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 about a salvo fired at your ship from more than 4.5 km.	Preventive Maintenance −30% chance of main armament, engines, steering becoming incapacitated +15% to HP of secondary and AA guns. ★★★
2	Demolition Expert +1% chance of main and secondary HE shells causing a fire. +15% to the damage-inflicting area of HE shells fired at submarines.	Swift Fish +5% torpedo speed. ★	Consumables Enhancements +10% action time of: Hydroacoustic Search , Surveillance Radar , Smoke Generator , & Engine Boost .	Extra-Heavy Ammunition +7.5% main battery AP shell damage. +10% damage from depth charges.	Priority Target The detection indicator will show the number of enemies aiming at you with main battery. ★	Last Stand The ship remains able to move and maneuver - slowly - while the engine or steering gears are incapacitated. ★★★
3	Main Battery & AA Specialist -5% main battery reload time. +10% continuous AA damage. ★★	Fill the Tubes -10% torpedo tubes reload time.	Adrenaline Rush -0.2% reload time of all armaments per 1% HP lost +0.2% AA continuous damage per 1% HP lost. ★★★	Inertial Fuse for HE Shells +25% armor penetration of HE shells Base fire chance reduced by half.	Superintendent +1 charge to all consumables. ★	Survivability Expert +350 HP per ship tier. ★★★
4	Main Battery & AA Expert +20% main battery range. +15% flak damage. ★★	Swift in Silence So long as the ship remains undetected: +8% ship speed +5% main battery reload time.	Radio Location Shows the direction to the nearest enemy ship. The enemy is alerted that a bearing has been taken.. ★	Fearless Brawler +1 flak burst per salvo. -10% main battery reload when ship is spotted. ★★	Concealment Expert -10% detectability range of the ship. ★★★	Dazzle For 15 seconds after you are detected: * +20% dispersion of enemy shells fired at you. * +8% ship speed.
Key: ★★★ - Extremely Useful ★★ - Frequently Useful ★ - Occasionally Useful No stars - Not Useful

Consumables

Álvaro de Bazán equips the following consumables:

Slot 1: Damage Control Party 
Slot 2: Smoke Generator  – 3 charges
Slot 3: Engine Boost  – 3 charges

Camouflage

As a premium ship, Álvaro de Bazán comes with Default permanent camouflage and a set of permanent combat bonuses.

Signals

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

References

Ships of Spain

Destroyers	X Álvaro de Bazán
Cruisers	I Júpiter • II Méndez Núñez • III Navarra • IV Almirante Cervera • V Galicia • VI Baleares • VI Canarias • VII Asturias • VIII Cataluña • VIII Numancia • IX Andalucía • IX Almirante Oquendo • X Castilla
Battleships	IX Victoria
Aircraft Carriers

Destroyers

Netherlands	IX Groningen • X Tromp
U.S.A.	II Sampson • II Smith • III Wickes • IV Clemson • V Nicholas • V Hill • VI Farragut • VI Monaghan • VII Mahan • VII Sims • VII Sims B • VIII Benson • VIII Kidd • IX Fletcher • IX Benham • IX Halford • IX Black B • IX Black • IX Johnston • IX Frank Friday • X Gearing • X Somers • X Forrest Sherman • X [[Ship:[Gearing]\|[Gearing]]] • ★ Joshua Humphreys
Europe	II Tátra • III Romulus • IV Klas Horn • V Visby • V Muavenet • VI Västerås • VI Stord • VII Skåne • VII Grom • VII Błyskawica • VII Stord '43 • VIII Öland • VIII Split • VIII Orkan • IX Östergötland • IX Lambros Katsonis • IX Velos • IX Friesland • IX Jäger • X Halland • X Gdańsk • X Småland • X Ragnar • X Södermanland • ★ Dalarna
Germany	II V-25 • III G-101 • IV V-170 • V T-22 • VI Ernst Gaede • VI T-61 • VI Karl von Schönberg • VII Leberecht Maass • VII Z-31 • VII Z-39 • VII Z-32 • VII Z-33 • VII Z-34 • VII Z-38 • VIII Z-23 • VIII Gustav-Julius Maerker • VIII Z-35 • IX Z-46 • IX Felix Schultz • IX Z-44 • IX ZF-6 • X Z-52 • X Elbing • X Z-42 • X Georg Hoffmann • X Lübeck
U.S.S.R.	II Storozhevoi • III Derzki • IV Izyaslav • V Gremyashchy • V [[Ship:Gnevny (< 06.03.2017)\|Gnevny (< 06.03.2017)]] • V Podvoisky • V Okhotnik • VI [[Ship:Ognevoi (< 06.03.2017)\|Ognevoi (< 06.03.2017)]] • VI Gnevny • VII [[Ship:Kiev (< 06.03.2017)\|Kiev (< 06.03.2017)]] • VII Minsk • VII Leningrad • VII Tashkent '39 • VIII [[Ship:Tashkent (< 06.03.2017)\|Tashkent (< 06.03.2017)]] • VIII Ognevoi • VIII Kiev • IX Udaloi • IX Tashkent • IX Neustrashimy • X Khabarovsk • X Grozovoi • X Delny • X [[Ship:[Grozovoi]\|[Grozovoi]]] • ★ Zorkiy
Italy	II Curtatone • III Nazario Sauro • IV Turbine • V Maestrale • VI Aviere • VI Leone • VII Luca Tarigo • VII FR25 • VIII Vittorio Cuniberti • IX Adriatico • IX Paolo Emilio • X Attilio Regolo
Pan-America	VI Juruá • X La Pampa
Japan	II Tachibana • II Umikaze • II Tachibana Lima • III Wakatake • IV Isokaze • V Minekaze • V Fūjin • V Kamikaze • V Kamikaze R • V Mutsuki • VI [[Ship:Mutsuki (< 01.12.2016)\|Mutsuki (< 01.12.2016)]] • VI Fubuki • VI Hatsuharu • VI Shinonome B • VI Shinonome • VII [[Ship:Hatsuharu (< 01.12.2016)\|Hatsuharu (< 01.12.2016)]] • VII Akatsuki • VII Shiratsuyu • VII Yūdachi • VIII [[Ship:Fubuki (< 01.12.2016)\|Fubuki (< 01.12.2016)]] • VIII Akizuki • VIII Kagerō • VIII Asashio • VIII HSF Harekaze II • VIII Asashio B • VIII HSF Harekaze • VIII AL Yukikaze • IX [[Ship:Kagerō (< 01.12.2016)\|Kagerō (< 01.12.2016)]] • IX Yūgumo • IX Kitakaze • IX Minegumo • IX STAR Kitakaze • X Shimakaze • X Harugumo • X Hayate • X AL Shimakaze • X [[Ship:[Shimakaze]\|[Shimakaze]]] • ★ Yamagiri
U.K.	II Medea • III Valkyrie • III Campbeltown • IV Wakeful • V Acasta • VI Icarus • VI Gallant • VII Jervis • VII Jupiter '42 • VIII Lightning • VIII Cossack • VIII Cossack B • IX Jutland • IX Somme • X Daring • X Druid
France	II Enseigne Gabolde • III Fusilier • IV Bourrasque • V L'Adroit • V Jaguar • V Siroco • VI Duchaffault • VI Guépard • VI Aigle • VII Le Hardi • VII Vauquelin • VIII L'Aventurier • VIII Le Fantasque • VIII Le Terrible • IX Orage • IX Mogador • X Cassard • X Kléber • X Marceau • X Kléber CLR
Pan-Asia	II Longjiang • III Phra Ruang • IV Shenyang • V Jianwei • VI Fushun • VI Anshan • VII Gadjah Mada • VIII Hsienyang • VIII Siliwangi • VIII Loyang • VIII Fenyang • VIII Loyang B • VIII Zhu Que • VIII Ship Smasha • IX Chung Mu • X Yueyang • X Lüshun • ★ Kunming
Spain	X Álvaro de Bazán
Commonwealth	III Vampire • VII Haida • VII Huron • X Vampire II

Games

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Álvaro de Bazán

Modules

Compatible Upgrades