Akizuki

13.11

Akizuki

Destroyer | Japan | Tier VIII

Tech Tree Position

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General

Research price115000 exp

Purchase price9,000,000

Hit Points15,900

Main Battery

100 mm/65 Type 98 on a Model A mount4 х 2 pcs.

Rate of Fire20 shots/min.

Reload Time3 sec.

Rotation Speed16 deg./sec.

180 Degree Turn Time11.25 sec.

Firing Range11.33 km.

Maximum Dispersion99 m.

HE Shell100 mm HE Type98

Maximum HE Shell Damage1,200

Chance of Fire on Target Caused by HE Shell5 %

Initial HE Shell Velocity1000 m./s.

HE Shell Weight13 kg.

AP Shell100 mm AP Type98

Maximum AP Shell Damage1,700

Initial AP Shell Velocity1000 m./s.

AP Shell Weight13 kg.

Torpedo Tubes

610 mm Quad1 х 4 pcs.

Rate of Fire0.59 shots/min.

Reload Time101 sec.

Rotation Speed25 deg./sec.

180 Degree Turn Time7.2 sec.

TorpedoType90 mod. 1

Maximum Damage17,233

Torpedo Speed62 knot

Torpedo Range9.99 km.

AA Defense

100 mm/65 Type 98 on a Model A mount4 х 2 pcs.

. . . Average Damage per Second83.2

. . . Firing Range5.01 km.

25 mm/60 Type 96 on a triple mount1 х 3 pcs.

. . . Average Damage per Second3.3

. . . Firing Range2.49 km.

25 mm/60 Type 96 on a twin mount6 х 2 pcs.

. . . Average Damage per Second16.2

. . . Firing Range2.49 km.

Maneuverability

Maximum Speed33 knot

Turning Circle Radius730 m.

Rudder Shift Time7.8 sec.

Concealment

Surface Detectability Range7.53 km.

Air Detectability Range3.56 km.

Battle Levels

12345678910

13.11

Akizuki

Destroyer | Japan | Tier VIII

Tech Tree Position

stock

 top

General

Research price115000 exp

Purchase price9,000,000

Hit Points20,400

Main Battery

100 mm/65 Type 98 on a Model A mount4 х 2 pcs.

Rate of Fire20 shots/min.

Reload Time3 sec.

Rotation Speed16 deg./sec.

180 Degree Turn Time11.25 sec.

Firing Range12.46 km.

Maximum Dispersion99 m.

HE Shell100 mm HE Type98

Maximum HE Shell Damage1,200

Chance of Fire on Target Caused by HE Shell5 %

Initial HE Shell Velocity1000 m./s.

HE Shell Weight13 kg.

AP Shell100 mm AP Type98

Maximum AP Shell Damage1,700

Initial AP Shell Velocity1000 m./s.

AP Shell Weight13 kg.

Torpedo Tubes

610 mm Quad1 х 4 pcs.

Rate of Fire0.54 shots/min.

Reload Time112 sec.

Rotation Speed25 deg./sec.

180 Degree Turn Time7.2 sec.

TorpedoType93 mod. 2

Maximum Damage20,967

Torpedo Speed67 knot

Torpedo Range9.99 km.

AA Defense

100 mm/65 Type 98 on a Model A mount4 х 2 pcs.

. . . Average Damage per Second83.2

. . . Firing Range5.01 km.

25 mm/60 Type 96 on a single mount18 х 1 pcs.

. . . Average Damage per Second32.4

. . . Firing Range2.49 km.

25 mm/60 Type 96 on a triple mount7 х 3 pcs.

. . . Average Damage per Second23.1

. . . Firing Range2.49 km.

Maneuverability

Maximum Speed33 knot

Turning Circle Radius730 m.

Rudder Shift Time5.6 sec.

Concealment

Surface Detectability Range7.53 km.

Air Detectability Range3.56 km.

Battle Levels

12345678910

VIII

9,000,000

Akizuki — Japanese Tier VIII destroyer.

Akizuki-class destroyers were designed as air defense ships to escort swift carrier formations. Their main battery was represented by eight 100 mm/65 guns. A total of 13 destroyers of this class were ordered, and 12 were built. After entering service in June 1942, Akizuki participated in the Battle of the Eastern Solomons and the Guadalcanal Campaign, the Battle of the Philippine Sea, and the Battle of Leyte Gulf. The destroyer was sunk during the Battle of Cape Engaño.

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 ()
100 mm/65 Type 98 on a Model A mount	20	11.3	99	1,200	5	1,700		0	570,000

	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 ()
Akizuki (A)	15,900	13	20	4		6/1/4	1			0	610,000
Akizuki (B)	20,400	13	20	4		18/7	1			16,500	1,400,000

	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 ()
Type90 mod. 1	0.6	101	7.2	17,233	62	10		0	1,300,000
Type93 mod. 2	0.5	112	7.2	20,966	67	10		20,000	1,800,000

	IDS_SHIP_PARAM_SUO_INCREASE_DIST (%)	Maximum Firing Range (km)		Research price (exp)	Purchase price ()
Type8 mod. 1		0		0	370,000
Type8 mod. 2		0		8,000	780,000

	Maximum Speed (knot)		Research price (exp)	Purchase price ()
Propulsion: 52,000 hp	33		0	600,000

Compatible Upgrades

Slot 1
Slot 2
Slot 3
Slot 4
Slot 5

Player Opinion

Performance

With Tier VIII Akizuki, the IJN tech tree "gunboat" branch has her first true gunboat — a major departure from the rest of the Japanese destroyer line. She requires a very different approach than the typical ninja-like play style of other Japanese destroyers that attempt to overwhelm their enemies with torpedoes fired from stealth. Akizuki sets the mold for later IJN gunboats.

Akizuki’s main battery is comprised of four (4) double 100mm turrets that turn quickly, roughly on par with those found in the middle tiers of the American destroyer line aboard Nicholas, Farragut, and Mahan. She can get all of her guns on target even while maneuvering, and their rate of fire rivals that of Tier X Gearing (although Akizuki’s shells do far less damage than Gearing’s). Also notable is the initial velocity of those shells: 1000 meters per second. This gives Akizuki’s guns a relatively flat arc at close range. They are comfortable to fire and fairly easy to guide on to target. However, her shells lose velocity quickly, and around 10 km they will have a high ballistic arc similar to those of Atlanta. This is not necessarily a bad thing, as it enables her to fire over islands when needed. Her main battery is equally capable of chewing up battleship and cruiser superstructures with armor-piercing rounds or dueling enemy destroyers with high explosive ones. Akizuki’s armor-piercing shells are deceptive: individually, they do very little damage, but her rate and volume of fire will ensure AP damage racks up quickly against un-angled targets. Using her AP shells against the flat, broadside hulls of enemy destroyers is likewise a valid option, as the 100mm shells will not over-penetrate them. Thanks to the special HE penetration attributes of the 100mm Japanese gun, use of Inertia Fuse for HE Shells is not required, but captains who do gain the ability to penetrate 37mm of armor.

While her guns are excellent, her torpedo armament is lacking. She mounts only a single quadruple launcher — compared to the double quadruple launchers of Kagero, Shiratsuyu, and Yūgumo — on a relatively long reload of 112 seconds. Akizuki does have access to an improved version of the Torpedo Reload Booster  consumable without having to give up a Smoke Generator  — the only Tier VIII tech tree destroyer able to do so. While a build should focus on her guns, Akizuki is quite capable of ruining an unsuspecting captain's day, especially with the Type93 mod. 2 torpedo module. And like Shiratsuyu, her Torpedo Reload Booster  consumable reloads faster than the one found on most other ships.

Her handling takes some getting used to. She is far slower to respond to helm commands than Japanese destroyer captains will be accustomed to, and her slow top speed is a notable handicap. She will also eat lots of damage due to her large size, although her oversized health pool will help mitigate this problem to some extent. Thanks to her dual-purpose 100mm main battery, her anti-aircraft suite is very good, surpassed only by her successors in the gunboat branch.

Akizuki requires some adaptation in play, but she's more than capable of dishing out copious amounts of punishment in the hands of a captain who has taken the time to decipher how to play her well.

Pros:

• Quick-turning, fast-firing main battery.
• Armor-piercing rounds are punishing against broadside ships thanks to her rate of fire.
• Excellent HE penetration, even without the IFHE commander skill.
• Flat shell arcs in close combat means she will land consistent hits on enemy ships.
• Equips a Torpedo Reload Booster  that reduces torpedo reload time to 5 seconds with a fast cooldown.
• Decent AA for the tier.

Cons:

• HE shells have low damage and fire chance.
• Only one torpedo launcher on a long reload.
• Slow to accelerate and low top speed for a destroyer.
• Handles more like a cruiser than a destroyer; large turning circle and slow rudder shift make Akizuki feel sluggish.

Research

Hull (B) is a huge boost to Akizuki’s survivability, and should be researched first. After that, the Fire Control System upgrade to boost her range is probably the best bet, leaving the Torpedo module for last.

Optimal Configuration

Upgrades

The recommended upgrades for Akizuki are as follows:

• Slot 1: Main Armaments Modification 1
• Slot 2: Engine Room Protection
• Slot 3: Aiming Systems Modification 1 *
• Slot 4: Propulsion Modification 1 *
• Slot 5: Concealment System Modification 1 

Akizuki’s gunboat play style means that her upgrade modules will look very similar to that of similarly-tiered cruisers and Russian destroyers. Aiming Systems Modification 1 in Slot 3 is one of the best options, though a case can be made for AA Guns Modification 1 . Either Steering Gears Modification 1 or Propulsion Modification 1 should be slotted into Slot 4 either for faster acceleration or better rudder shift.

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

Akizuki can equip the following consumables:

• Slot 1: Damage Control Party 
• Slot 2: Smoke Generator 
• Slot 3: Engine Boost 
• Slot 4: Torpedo Reload Booster 

Signals

Victor Lima () and India X-Ray () signal flags will help boost Akizuki’s meager fire chance, especially when combined with Demolition Expert. Sierra Mike () will help make up some of her deficiency in top speed.

Recommended Signal Flags
Combat
Charlie Kilo +5% ship HP; +2.5% squadron HP. ★★★	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. ★★★
Juliet Whiskey Unaone +15% chance of causing flooding. ★★	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 .

Gallery

• 

  Akizuki ready for battle.

• 

  Akizuki supports the fleet while concealed behind an island.

• 

  Akizuki engages an enemy destroyer.

• 

  Akizuki engages an enemy Izumo class battleship with torpedoes and gunfire.

Historical Info

Akizuki, 1942

Construction

Maizuru Naval Yard, Kyoto, Japan

Laid down: 30 July 1940

Launched: 2 July 1941

Commissioned: 11 June 1942

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Specifications

2,701 tons displacement, standard

134.2m length

11.6m beam

4.15m draft

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Machinery

3 boilers, 2 turbines

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Performance

33 knots at 52,000 shaft horsepower

8,300 nm at 18 knots

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Armament

Main

Eight (4x2) 100mm dual purpose guns

Anti-aircraft

Four (4x1) 25mm guns

Torpedoes

Four (1x4) 610mm torpedo tubes

Yoizuki in Kure after the war, 16 October 1945. Note that one of the forward main battery turrets has been removed.

History

Design

The Akizuki class destroyers were originally designed as anti-aircraft vessels used to provide additional cover for carrier groups. The preliminary designs omitted torpedo tubes in favor of being pure gunboats; however, the design was later altered to meet the needs for an all-purpose warship. A quadruple torpedo launcher was added amidship as well as multiple depth charge launchers. The final design for Akizuki was much larger and heavier than preceding destroyer designs. This larger size also resulted in a drastic decrease in speed.

Her final design still revolved primarily around her main armament guns. The dual purpose 100mm guns mounted on Akizuki had a much higher fire rate and elevation than the 127mm guns used on older destroyers. The new 100mm guns were also controlled by a more accurate director than used on previous vessels. Additionally, she was the first Japanese destroyer to carry her gun mounts in two superfiring pairs.

Shortly after her completion and commissioning, Akizuki was fitted with aerial radar systems and had her superstructure modified slightly to accommodate them. Akizuki’s anti-aircraft armament was also gradually upgraded as the war continued, with additional small caliber weapons being added amidship.

Service

Akizuki was commissioned in June 1942. Immediately deployed, she set out with Zuikaku in expectation of an encounter with the US Navy in the Aleutians, though no such engagement was forthcoming. By August, she had arrived in Rabaul and participated in the Battle of the Eastern Solomons. From August to November, Akizuki was subjected to numerous air attacks as she conducted escort and bombardment operations to Guadalcanal, all successfully repulsed. She returns to Japan that month for trials and repairs. Having completed her refit, Akizuki returned to the Solomons but was severely damaged by submarine torpedo in January 1943, necessitating a return to Japan and a lengthy repair.

Akizuki did not return to full duty until November 1943, and was ordered back to Truk. She spent the remainder of 1943 and the first half of 1944 in training with the fleet before participating in the Battle of the Philippine Sea in June. Akizuki then returned to Japan for refit until October, participating in the Battle of Leyte Gulf with Admiral Ozawa's Northern Force. On 25 October 1944, during the first attack on the Northern Force, Akizuki was hit, whether by bomb or torpedo is not known. Akizuki suffered a catastrophic explosion and sank in minutes.

Teruzuki was commissioned in August 1942 and spent the next two months in trials before being assigned to the South Pacific in October. Shortly after arrival, Teruzuki participated in both Naval Battles of Guadalcanal. After a brief assignment to Truk, Teruzuki returned to the Shortlands Islands to support a supply mission to Guadalcanal. On 11 December, Teruzuki was torpedoed by a PT boat. Teruzuki lost power and fires progressively spread, leading to catastrophic explosions. Teruzuki sank on 12 December 1942.

Suzutsuki was commissioned in December 1942 and spent the entirety of her career performing escort duties. Torpedoed twice, Suzutsuki survived but was again heavily damaged by air attack while providing cover for Yamato on her final mission. Suzutsuki managed to return to Japan, but was not repaired, and she was surrendered in her damaged state at the end of the war.

Hatsuzuki was commissioned in December 1942 and also spent her wartime service in escort duties. In June of 1944, she participated in the Battle of the Philippine Sea. In October she was assigned to the Northern Force for the Battle of Leyte Gulf. Hatsuzuki was sunk by surface gunfire on 25 October 1944.

Niizuki was commissioned in March 1943 and was assigned to duties in the South Pacific. She arrived at the end of June, and on July 4th she led a transport mission to Kolombangara. On the night of 5-6 July 1943, Niizuki was sunk by surface gunfire during the Battle of Kula Gulf.

Wakatsuki was commissioned in May 1943 and, after several months spent training, was assigned to fleet escort duties. She participated in the Battle of the Philippine Sea and the Battle of Leyte Gulf before being assigned to escort troop convoys to Leyte in November of 1944. On 11 November 1944, Wakatsuki was sunk by air attack.

Shimotsuki was commissioned in March 1944 and finished training in time to participate in the Battle of the Philippine Sea in June. She then engaged in fleet escort duties up to, during, and after the Battle of Leyte Gulf before being sent to the Southwestern Area. On 25 November 1944, Shimotsuki was torpedoed and sunk by submarine.

Fuyuzuki was commissioned in May 1944 and was engaged in convoy escort duties until she was torpedoed by submarine in October. Returned to Japan for repairs, Fuyuzuki returned to duty in November, but was assigned to training in the Inland Sea. She escorted Yamato on her final mission in April 1945 and sustained moderate damage. After returning to Japan, Fuyuzuki was assigned to escort duties, during which she struck a mine in late August. She was surrendered damaged and never repaired before eventually being broken up and sold for scrap.

Hanazuki was commissioned in late December 1944 and spent her entire career in the Inland Sea. She was surrendered undamaged and later awarded to the United States in 1947.

Yoizuki was commissioned at the end of January 1945. She engaged against aircraft once in February, then was assigned to training in the Inland Sea before suffering minor damage after striking a mine in June. She was surrendered damaged and awarded to China in 1947.

Haruzuki was commissioned in late December 1945 and assigned escort duties in the Inland Sea. She was surrendered intact at the end of the war and awarded to the Soviet Union in 1947.

Natsuzuki was commissioned in April 1945. Assigned to escort duties, she struck a mine in June and suffered heavy damage. She was surrendered and repaired, then awarded to Great Britain in 1947.

Historical Inaccuracies

• The Type 98 naval gun was only equipped with high-explosive ammunition; the AP shell was invented by WG.
• Akizuki’s name written in katakana on both sides of the hull are missing.
• Akizuki was never painted with green camouflage.

Historical Gallery

• 

  Akizuki undergoing sea trials in Miyazu Bay, Honshu, 17 May 1942.

• 

  Akizuki explodes during the Battle of Cape Engaño.

• 

  Side view of one of Haruzuki’s 100mm turrets, 1945.

• 

  Yoizuki in Kure after the war, 16 October 1945. Note that one of the forward main battery turrets has been removed.

• 

  US Office of Naval Intelligence drawing of Akizuki.

• 

  Line drawing of Akizuki.

Video

References

1. Japanese destroyer Akizuki (1941) - Wikipedia
2. Akizuki-class destroyer (1942) - Wikipedia
3. Armada: Akizuki - News - World of Warships
4. Armada - Akizuki - World of Warships Official Channel - YouTube
5. Japanese Destroyers - Akizuki - World of Warships Official Channel - YouTube

Ship Change Log

See here for links to Update notes.

• Available to supertesters in the game starting from Update 0.5.12.
• Introduced into the game as a researchable ship in Update 0.5.15.
• Update 0.5.16:
  • The national flag was moved to the stern.
• Update 0.6.0:
  • Armor penetration of high-explosive shells decreased from 19 to 17 mm.
• Update 0.6.2:
  • The national flag was moved from the stern to the mast.
• Update 0.6.3:
  • Base firing range increased from 9,236 to 11,330 m.
  • Fixed minor visual bugs at low and medium settings.
  • Fixed the intersection of the torpedo tube with the crane support, added a rangefinder.
• Update 0.6.6:
  • Improved appearance of the ship using a special technology for high-quality rendering of thin elements (mainly rigging).
• Update 0.6.8:
  • The reload time of the Torpedo Reload Booster consumable was reduced:
    • Torpedo Reload Booster I - from 360 to 240 s.
    • Torpedo Reload Booster II - from 240 to 160 s.
• Update 0.6.12:
  • Detectability when firing main guns in smoke changed to 2.39 km.
• Update 0.6.13:
  • Fire extinguishing time now 30 s instead of 60 s.
• Update 0.7.2:
  • Players who have collected the "Rewards" sub-collection of the "Yamomoto Isoroku" collection can use an alternate permanent camouflage color..
• Update 0.7.6:
  • Improved display of thin elements on the hull.
• Update 0.7.7:
  • Armor penetration of high-explosive shells increased from 17 to 25 mm.
  • Detectability by ships increased from 7.56 to 7.76 km.
  • Detectability after firing main guns in smoke increased from 2.39 to 2.48 km.
  • Rudder shift time on Hull (B) was increased from 4.8 to 5.8 s.
  • Rudder shift time on Hull (A) was increased from 6.5 to 7.8 s.
• Update 0.8.0:
  • Minor fixes to geometry and textures.
• Update 0.9.2:
  • Armor penetration of high-explosive shells increased from 25 mm to 30 mm.
• Update 12.8:
  • Fixed textures for the ship.

Ships of Japan

Destroyers