Neptune

13.11

Neptune

Cruiser | U.K. | Tier IX

Tech Tree Position

stock

 top

General

Research price173000 exp

Purchase price13,600,000

Hit Points39,900

Main Battery

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.

Secondary Armament #1

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 %

Torpedo Tubes

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.

AA Defense

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.

Maneuverability

Maximum Speed33.5 knot

Turning Circle Radius790 m.

Rudder Shift Time15.1 sec.

Concealment

Surface Detectability Range12.76 km.

Air Detectability Range8.52 km.

Battle Levels

12345678910

13.11

Neptune

Cruiser | U.K. | Tier IX

Tech Tree Position

stock

 top

General

Research price173000 exp

Purchase price13,600,000

Hit Points44,900

Main Battery

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 Range16.54 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.

Secondary Armament #1

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 %

Torpedo Tubes

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 IXM

Maximum Damage16,767

Torpedo Speed62 knot

Torpedo Range9.99 km.

AA Defense

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.II on a Mk.V mount14 х 2 pcs.

. . . Average Damage per Second85.4

. . . Firing Range2.01 km.

40 mm/56 OQF Mk.X on a STAAG Mk.2 mount10 х 2 pcs.

. . . Average Damage per Second134

. . . Firing Range3.51 km.

Maneuverability

Maximum Speed33.5 knot

Turning Circle Radius790 m.

Rudder Shift Time10.8 sec.

Concealment

Surface Detectability Range12.76 km.

Air Detectability Range8.52 km.

Battle Levels

12345678910

IX

13,600,000

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

	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 ()
152 mm/50 BL Mk.XXIII on a Mk.XXV mount	12.5	18	147			3,200		0	1,000,000

	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 ()
Neptune (A)	39,900	13	102	4	6	14/10/6/4	4			0	1,300,000
Neptune (B)	44,900	13	102	4	6	14/10/6/4	4			42,000	3,000,000

	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 Mk IX**	0.6	96	7.2	15,533	62	10		0	1,200,000
533 mm Mk IXM	0.6	96	7.2	16,766	62	10		20,000	1,800,000

	IDS_SHIP_PARAM_SUO_INCREASE_DIST (%)	Maximum Firing Range (km)		Research price (exp)	Purchase price ()
Mk IX mod. 1		0		0	900,000
Mk IX mod. 2		0		22,000	2,000,000

	Maximum Speed (knot)		Research price (exp)	Purchase price ()
Propulsion: 110,000 hp	33.5		0	800,000

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.

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 Specialized Repair Teams  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 Expert AA Marksman and AA Gunner skills.
• Has access to Specialized Repair Teams  that allow 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

As with Edinburgh her stock range is sufficient. Research Hull (B) first, followed by the Fire Control System upgrade. The Torpedo upgrade is very marginal, and can either be skipped or picked up after unlocking Minotaur.

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 1
• 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, Auxiliary Armaments 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

The same skills that benefited Edinburgh will continue to be of great use to Neptune. At Level 1, commanders are encouraged to take Last Stand to ensure Neptune retains at least some maneuverability even when her engines or rudder are knocked out. At Level 2, Priority Target is a key skill as it allows players to know when it is (theoretically) safe to expose their broadside in a turn without severe punishment. Other skills of interest for Neptune at Level 2 are Consumables Enhancements (to lengthen the duration of either her smoke screen or radar consumables) and Expert AA Marksman (a good team-play option that bolsters her AA suite). At Level 3, the key skills are Adrenaline Rush and Superindendent, both of which are highly recommended. Captains who find themselves relying heavily on her torpedo armament may also be interested in taking Enhanced Torpedo Explosive Charge. At Level 4, the key skill that captains should prioritize is Concealment Expert in order to further enhance Neptune’s already great concealment. Captains may also be interested in taking AA Gunner (another good team-play option that gives an additional boost to an already solid AA suite) or Radio Location (to improve situational awareness, particularly against outflanking destroyers).

Suggested initial skill order for first time Neptune captains: Last Stand -> Priority Target -> Adrenaline Rush -> Concealment Expert -> Superintendent

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

Neptune can equip the following consumables:

• Slot 1: Damage Control Party 
• Slot 2: Specialized Repair Teams  – 3 charges
• Slot 3: Hydroacoustic Search  – 3 charges
• Slot 4: Smoke Generator  – 3 charges or Surveillance Radar  – 3 charges

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. X-Ray Papa Unaone will increase the action time of her smoke allowing a smokescreen-equipped Neptune to produce longer curtains of smoke, giving her more space to move around as well as technically increasing the total time she could potentially spend hidden within her own smoke so long as she finds herself within the final puff of smoke as the first puffs start to dissipate.

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

• 

  Neptune leads the charge with the Okinawa sunset behind her.

• 

  Neptune stays close to two friendly battleships for fire support.

• 

  Under the cover of a storm, Neptune sails around a formation of enemy battleships undetected.

• 

  Neptune takes several hits from an enemy North Carolina.

• 

  After receiving numerous shell and torpedo hits, Neptune begins to slip beneath the waves.

Historical Info

"Neptune Design Y", 1944

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

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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

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 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.

Information on the Neptune, from Norman Friedman's "British Cruisers, Two World Wars and After", page 266.

Historical Gallery

• 

References

1. Neptune-class cruiser - Wikipedia
2. British Cruisers, Two world wars and after by Norman Friedman
3. 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
4. Discussion on the origin of the designs of the Minotaur

Ship Change Log

See here for links to Update notes.

• Available to supertesters in the game starting from Update 0.5.11.
• Introduced into the game as a researchable ship in Update 0.5.13.
• Update 0.5.16:
  • Added cable channels to pipe antennas.
• Update 0.6.3:
  • Sigma increased from 2 to 2.05.
• Update 0.6.5:
  • Improved the appearance of Tier IX ships with the use of a special technology for drawing thin elements (mainly rigging).
• Update 0.6.12:
  • Detectability when firing main guns in smoke changed to 6.58 km.
• Update 0.6.13:
  • Fire extinguishing time now 30 s instead of 60 s.
  • The Smoke Generator active time was increased from 7 to 15 s.
• Update 0.7.10:
  • The range of the Hydroacoustic Search consumable was unified - 5 km for detecting ships, 3.5 km for detecting torpedoes.
• Update 0.9.1:
  • Main battery reload time decreased from 5 to 4.8 s.
• Update 0.9.6:
  • The value of the in-game turning circle radius was changed to 790 m to correct prior discrepancy.
• Update 0.10.0:
  • The firing range of the secondary battery was increased to 6.95 km.
• Update 0.11.1:
  • Minor corrections to geometry and textures of the ship.

Ships of U.K.

Cruisers