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Zao

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Zaō
Zaō_wows_main.jpg
Cruiser | Japan | Tier X
Tech Tree Position
Ibuki
Arrow_down.png
Zaō_icon_small.png
stock
 top
General
Research price238000 exp
Purchase price20,000,000 Credits
Hit Points44,900 
Main Battery
IDS_PJGM092_203MM554 х 3 pcs.
Rate of Fire4.38 shots/min.
Reload Time13.7 sec.
Rotation Speeddeg./sec.
180 Degree Turn Time30 sec.
Firing Range16.23 km.
Maximum Dispersion136 m.
HE Shell203 mm HE Type1 
Maximum HE Shell Damage3,400 
Chance of Fire on Target Caused by HE Shell19 %
Initial HE Shell Velocity920 m./s.
HE Shell Weight155 kg.
AP Shell203 mm AP Type92 
Maximum AP Shell Damage5,400 
Initial AP Shell Velocity920 m./s.
AP Shell Weight155 kg.
Secondary Armament #1
100 mm/65 Type 98 on a Model A mount6 х 2 pcs.
Firing Range7.3 km.
Rate of Fire20 shots/min.
Reload Timesec.
HE Shell100 mm HE Type98 
Maximum HE Shell Damage1,700 
Initial HE Shell Velocity1000 m./s.
Chance of Fire on Target Caused by HE Shell%
Torpedo Tubes
610 mm Quintuple4 х 5 pcs.
Rate of Fire0.58 shots/min.
Reload Time104 sec.
Rotation Speed25 deg./sec.
180 Degree Turn Time7.2 sec.
TorpedoType F3 
Maximum Damage21,367 
Torpedo Speed76 knot
Torpedo Range8.01 km.
AA Defense
100 mm/65 Type 98 on a Model A mount6 х 2 pcs.
. . . Average Damage per Second124.8 
. . . Firing Range5.01 km.
40 mm/60 Type 5 on a twin mount9 х 2 pcs.
. . . Average Damage per Second99 
. . . Firing Range3.51 km.
25 mm/60 Type 96 on a single mount20 х 1 pcs.
. . . Average Damage per Second36 
. . . Firing Range2.49 km.
25 mm/60 Type 96 on a triple mount11 х 3 pcs.
. . . Average Damage per Second36.3 
. . . Firing Range2.49 km.
Maneuverability
Maximum Speed34.5 knot
Turning Circle Radius840 m.
Rudder Shift Time7.7 sec.
Concealment
Surface Detectability Range12.22 km.
Air Detectability Range7.46 km.
Battle Levels
12345678910
Wows_anno_flag_japan.png
X
Ship_PJSC034_Zao_1944.png
20,000,000

Zaō — Japanese Tier X cruiser.

Eight heavy cruisers were supposed to be built under the Japanese naval building program. They were a further development of the Takao, Tone, and Mogami classes. It was planned to arm these ships with twelve 203 mm guns in four turrets—a traditional arrangement. Their armor was designed to withstand 203 mm HE shell hits. The number of ships was later reduced to four, and their construction was then canceled altogether.

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/50 3rd Year Type No.2 in a triple turret4.4301363,400195,400 02,100,000
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)
Zaō44,900162034620/11/9/64 02,800,000
Torpedoes 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
(Credits)
Type93 mod. 30.41717.223,7666712 30,0002,500,000
Type F30.61047.221,366768 02,500,000
Fire Control System IDS_SHIP_PARAM_SUO_INCREASE_DIST
(%)
Maximum Firing Range
(km)
Research price
(exp)
Purchase price
(Credits)
Type10 mod. 10 01,600,000
Engine Maximum Speed
(knot)
Research price
(exp)
Purchase price
(Credits)
Propulsion: 159,000 hp34.5 01,400,000

Compatible Upgrades

 Slot 1 
Main Armaments Modification 1
Auxiliary Armaments Modification 1
Magazine Modification 1
Spotting Aircraft 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
Torpedo Tubes Modification 1
 Slot 4 
Damage Control System Modification 2
Propulsion Modification 1
Steering Gears Modification 1
Airstrike Modification 1
 Slot 5 
Torpedo Lookout System
Concealment System Modification 1
Steering Gears Modification 2
Ship Consumables Modification 1
 Slot 6 
Main Battery Modification 3
Torpedo Tubes Modification 2
Gun Fire Control System Modification 2
Improved Bridge
Auxiliary Armaments Modification 2

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.

The ninja among Tier X cruisers, Zao specializes in striking with a single massive salvo, then slipping away before the enemy can retaliate.

Japanese cruiser captains will be delighted to know that Zao finally gets an entire new model of gun, replacing the venerable 3rd Year Type that has been the trademark of the line since the Furutaka all the way back in Tier V. And what an upgrade it is! The HE and especially AP shells gain considerable potency, and Zaō delivers them with an accuracy and velocity unprecedented in the line. To further sweeten the deal, Zaō also gains two barrels for a total of twelve, and they are mounted in a friendlier setup of four triple turrets. The one downside is that the turret traverse---already a drawback of the line---suffers a further setback. This makes it especially important that Zaō is doing the ambushing rather than the reverse.

Fortunately this is not difficult to ensure: Zaō can reach a detectability radius of 9.90 km with a (highly recommended) stealth build, which is the best among all Tier X heavy cruisers and nearly as good as the light cruisers. This stealth combines well with her high-alpha, low-rate-of-fire main battery: she can fire a punishing salvo, then go dark before the enemy can effectively return fire.

Her upgraded torpedoes offer another opportunity to use her stealth: with a 12 km range, she can launch these from beyond her detection radius, and even from beyond the range of radar. With two quintuple launchers on each side they can easily devastate unwary victims, and can serve as a good area denial tool. However, their poor firing angles and extremely long reload means they must be used judiciously, with their poor usefulness in brawls being worth a special mention because of their poor firing angles. (The stock torpedoes offer ludicrous speed and a faster reload, but their much shorter range renders them useless in most situations.)

Zaō's survivability is on the lower side of Tier X cruisers, and can sometimes be a mixed bag. She has the smallest health pool of all Tier X cruisers, even counting the light cruisers (with the exception of Smolensk and Colbert), and her armor is mediocre. Her turret angles are horrible. Her anti-aircraft suite and consumable toolkit are unremarkable. However, she does have a few factors working in her favor. She is relatively fast and has a good rudder shift (albeit with a lackluster turning circle), giving her decent ability to reposition and dodge incoming fire. Her citadel is quite hard to hit, is protected by a small but steeply angled turtleback, and her hull is rather narrow allowing her to seem to cheat death by the virtue of avoiding taking citadel hits and yielding over penetrations against large caliber AP when broadside. Still, taking Zaō into a stand-up fight is not advisable, as her low HP pool can prove to be her undoing in fights against enemy BBs with large caliber (431mm+) guns due to overmatch, as well as against some cruisers.

Pros:

  • Best accuracy of all cruisers (uses DD dispersion formula)
  • Good ballistics performance with fast flight time at all ranges
  • Good HE firepower with high alpha damage and fire starting ability
  • Good AP performance with high damage per volley and decent penetration
  • Fast, powerful torpedoes, with two quintuple launchers on each side of the ship
  • High base speed of 34.5 knots
  • Good maneuverability (7.7 seconds rudder shift)
  • Excellent concealment with all relevant upgrades

Cons:

  • One of the lowest health pools among Tier 10 cruisers
  • Poor main battery firing angles - bringing all guns to bear can be dangerous
  • Subpar turret traverse speed
  • Poor torpedo firing arcs, with the launchers being located in the aft section
  • Because of their exposed position, her torpedo launchers are prone to incapacitations and destruction
  • Has the longest torpedo reload in the game

Research

The only research to be done is the torpedoes, which are highly recommended, as unlike the stock torpedoes they can be launched from beyond detection range.

Optimal Configuration

Zaō is most effective with a stealth build. With already-good accuracy, non-accuracy buffs may benefit the ship more.

Upgrades

The recommended upgrades for Zaō are as follows:

Commander Skills

Sitting at the top of the tech tree, the suggested skill selections for Zao continue to focus on her stealth aspects. Key skills include Gun Feeder at Level 1, Priority Target at Level 2, Superintendent at Level 3, and Concealment Expert at Level 4. Captains who chose to take Main Battery Modification 3 : -12% main battery loading time. / -13% main battery traverse speed. in Upgrade Slot 6 and Aiming Systems Modification 1 : -7% main battery dispersion. / +20% torpedo tubes traverse speed. / +5% secondary battery firing range. / -5% secondary battery dispersion. in Upgrade Slot 3 may wish to take Grease the Gears as their Level 1 skill to improve her turret traverse.

Consumables

Zaō can equip the following:

Signals

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

Gallery

Historical Info

Historical Gallery

References


Ship Change Log

See here for links to Update notes.

  • Added to the game in Update 0.2.2.5 (alpha) under the name Senjo.
  • Update 0.3.0: renamed to Zao.
  • Update 0.3.1:
    • Added the Repair Party consumable.
    • Increased the main battery rate of fire and amount of hitpoints.
  • Update 0.4.0:
    • The armor of the hull was slightly strengthened.
    • Speed increased from 31 to 34 knots.
    • Main battery reload time increased from 12.2 to 13.7 s.
  • Update 0.5.1:
    • The number of charges of the "Catapult fighter I" / "Spotting aircraft I" consumable w reduceasd to 2 ( "Catapult fighter II" / " Spotting aircraft II" - to 3).
  • Update 0.5.2:
    • HP was reduced from 44900 to 40800.
    • Experience earnings increased by 17%.
  • Update 0.5.3.2:
    • The angle of rotation of the catapult when launching the aircraft was changed, so that its tail no longer touches the structural elements of the ship.
  • Update 0.5.8:
    • The hull armored model was refined.
  • Update 0.6.2:
    • The national flag was moved from the stern to the mast.
  • Update 0.6.3:
    • Increased the accuracy of shells inside the dispersion ellipse (sigma value increased from 2 to 2.05).
  • Update 0.6.4:
    • The detectability of the Type F3 torpedoes was reduced from 1.9 to 1.8 km.
    • Improved appearance.
  • Update 0.6.8:
    • The range of the secondary battery was increased from 4.5 to 6 km.
  • Update 0.6.12:
    • Detectability when firing main guns in smoke changed to 7.18 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 0.7.3:
    • Added a special space camouflage. Until the release of Update 0.7.4, camouflage can be purchased in the game client for 8,000 doubloons.
  • Update 0.7.6:
    • Added the ability to install alternative upgradeable torpedo module Type93 Mod.3.
    • Type F3 torpedoes received an acceleration of reloading from 141 to 104 seconds.
    • Improved display of thin elements on the body kit.
  • Update 0.7.7:
    • For a Japanese high-explosive projectile of 100 mm caliber (secondary battery), the armor penetration parameter was increased from 17 to 25 mm.
    • Made minor fixes to geometry and textures on the ship and camouflage.
  • 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 0.9.5:
    • Small changes to geometry and textures.
  • Update 0.9.6:
    • The value of the in-game turning circle radius was changed to 840 m to correct prior discrepancy.
  • Update 0.9.10:
    • Fixed a bug due to which the armor thickness of the anti-torpedo protection was 25 mm instead of 30 mm.
  • Update 0.10.0:
    • The firing range of the secondary battery was increased to 7.3 km.
  • Update 0.10.6:
    • Fighters, as well as spotting aircraft, now launch from the catapults a bit faster.
  • Update 0.10.10:
    • HP pool increased from 40,800 to 42,800.
  • Update 0.10.11:
    • HP pool increased from 42,800 to 44,900.
  • Update 0.11.3:
    • Minor fixes to geometry and textures of the ship.
  • Update 12.5:
    • Main battery gun 180-degree traverse time reduced from 36 to 30 seconds.
    • Fixed the geometry and textures of the ship.
    • Armor layout updated.
  • Update 13.1:
    • Added the Submarine Surveillance consumable with the following characteristics:
      • Range: 7 km.
      • Reload: 120 s.
      • Number of charges: 3.
      • Action time: 20 s.

Ships of Japan
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Cruisers  I Hashidate • II Chikuma • III Tenryū • III KatoriDoubloons • IV YūbariDoubloons • IV Kuma • IV Iwaki AlphaDoubloons • V Furutaka • V Agano • V YahagiDoubloons • VI Aoba • VI Gokase • VII Myōkō • VII Omono • VII TokachiDoubloons • VII MayaDoubloons • VII ARP MyōkōDoubloons • VII ARP AshigaraDoubloons • VII ARP HaguroDoubloons • VII Southern DragonDoubloons • VII Eastern DragonDoubloons • VII ARP NachiDoubloons • VIII Mogami • VIII ToneDoubloons • VIII AtagoDoubloons • VIII Shimanto • VIII Atago BDoubloons • VIII ARP TakaoDoubloons • VIII ARP MayaDoubloons • IX Ibuki • IX Takahashi • IX AzumaDoubloons • IX AL AzumaDoubloons • IX Chikuma II • X Zaō • X Yodo • X YoshinoDoubloons • X Yoshino BDoubloons • X Kitakami 
Battleships  II MikasaDoubloons • III Kawachi • IV Myōgi • IV IshizuchiDoubloons • V Kongō • V ARP KongōDoubloons • V ARP KirishimaDoubloons • V ARP HarunaDoubloons • V ARP HieiDoubloons • V HSF HieiDoubloons • VI Fusō • VI MutsuDoubloons • VI IseDoubloons • VII Nagato • VII AshitakaDoubloons • VII HyūgaDoubloons • VIII Amagi • VIII Yumihari • VIII KiiDoubloons • VIII Ignis PurgatioDoubloons • VIII RagnarokDoubloons • IX Izumo • IX Adatara • IX MusashiDoubloons • IX HizenDoubloons • IX IwamiDoubloons • IX DaisenDoubloons • IX TsurugiDoubloons • IX Iwami BDoubloons • X Yamato • X Bungo • X ShikishimaDoubloons • X ARP YamatoDoubloons •  Satsuma 
Aircraft Carriers  IV Hōshō • VI Ryūjō • VIII Shōkaku • VIII KagaDoubloons • VIII Kaga BDoubloons • X Hakuryū •  Sekiryu
Cruisers
Japan  I Hashidate • II Chikuma • III Tenryū • III KatoriDoubloons • IV YūbariDoubloons • IV Kuma • IV Iwaki AlphaDoubloons • V Furutaka • V Agano • V YahagiDoubloons • VI Aoba • VI Gokase • VII Myōkō • VII Omono • VII TokachiDoubloons • VII MayaDoubloons • VII ARP MyōkōDoubloons • VII ARP AshigaraDoubloons • VII ARP HaguroDoubloons • VII Southern DragonDoubloons • VII Eastern DragonDoubloons • VII ARP NachiDoubloons • VIII Mogami • VIII ToneDoubloons • VIII AtagoDoubloons • VIII Shimanto • VIII Atago BDoubloons • VIII ARP TakaoDoubloons • VIII ARP MayaDoubloons • IX Ibuki • IX Takahashi • IX AzumaDoubloons • IX AL AzumaDoubloons • IX Chikuma II • X Zaō • X Yodo • X YoshinoDoubloons • X Yoshino BDoubloons • X Kitakami 
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France  I Bougainville • II Jurien de la Gravière • III Friant • IV Duguay-Trouin • V Émile Bertin • VI La Galissonnière • VI De GrasseDoubloons • VI DupleixDoubloons • VII Algérie • VII ToulonDoubloons • VIII Charles Martel • VIII Cherbourg • VIII BayardDoubloons • IX Saint-Louis • IX Brest • IX CarnotDoubloons • X Henri IV • X Marseille • X ColbertDoubloons •  Condé 
U.S.S.R.  I Orlan • II DianaDoubloons • II Diana LimaDoubloons • II Novik • III AuroraDoubloons • III Bogatyr • III OlegDoubloons • III VaryagDoubloons • III AL AvroraDoubloons • IV Svietlana • V MurmanskDoubloons • V Kotovsky • V Krasny KrymDoubloons • V MikoyanDoubloons • V KirovDoubloons • VI Budyonny • VI MolotovDoubloons • VI Admiral MakarovDoubloons • VII Shchors • VII LazoDoubloons • VII Lazo BDoubloons • VIII Chapayev • VIII Tallinn • VIII Mikhail KutuzovDoubloons • VIII OchakovDoubloons • VIII Pyotr BagrationDoubloons • VIII Dmitry PozharskyDoubloons • IX Dmitri Donskoi • IX Riga • IX KronshtadtDoubloons • X MoskvaDoubloons • X Alexander Nevsky • X Petropavlovsk • X StalingradDoubloons • X Smolensk B • X SmolenskDoubloons • X SevastopolDoubloons • X Kommissar •  Novosibirsk 
U.S.A.  I Erie • II Chester • II AlbanyDoubloons • III St. Louis • III CharlestonDoubloons • IV Phoenix • V Omaha • V MarbleheadDoubloons • V Marblehead LimaDoubloons • V RattleheadDoubloons • VI Pensacola • VI Dallas • VII AtlantaDoubloons • VII New Orleans • VII Helena • VII IndianapolisDoubloons • VII Atlanta BDoubloons • VII BoiseDoubloons • VII FlintDoubloons • VIII Baltimore • VIII Cleveland • VIII WichitaDoubloons • VIII AnchorageDoubloons • VIII CongressDoubloons • VIII RochesterDoubloons • VIII San DiegoDoubloons • VIII AL MontpelierDoubloons • IX Buffalo • IX Seattle • IX VallejoDoubloons • IX AlaskaDoubloons • IX TulsaDoubloons • IX Alaska BDoubloons • X Des Moines • X Worcester • X Puerto RicoDoubloons • X SalemDoubloons • X AustinDoubloons •  Annapolis 
Germany  I Hermelin • II Dresden • II EmdenDoubloons • III Kolberg • IV Karlsruhe • V Königsberg • VI Nürnberg • VI Admiral Graf SpeeDoubloons • VI LeipzigDoubloons • VI HSF Admiral Graf SpeeDoubloons • VII Yorck • VII MünchenDoubloons • VII WeimarDoubloons • VIII Admiral Hipper • VIII Prinz EugenDoubloons • VIII MainzDoubloons • VIII SchillDoubloons • VIII Mainz BDoubloons • VIII Cross of DornDoubloons • VIII Wiesbaden • IX Roon • IX SiegfriedDoubloons • IX ÄgirDoubloons • IX Admiral SchröderDoubloons • IX Roon CLRDoubloons • X Hindenburg •  Clausewitz 
Pan-Asia  I Chengan • III Ning HaiDoubloons • V Chungking • VI Rahmat • VI HuangheDoubloons • VII Chumphon • VIII Harbin • VIII IrianDoubloons • VIII WukongDoubloons • IX Sejong • IX DalianDoubloons • IX MengchongDoubloons • IX TianjinDoubloons • X Jinan 
Spain  I Júpiter • II Méndez Núñez • III Navarra • IV Almirante Cervera • V Galicia • VI Baleares • VI CanariasDoubloons • VII Asturias • VIII Cataluña • VIII NumanciaDoubloons • IX Andalucía • X Castilla 
Europe  I Gryf • VI ElliDoubloons 
Netherlands  I Van Kinsbergen • II Gelderland • III Java • IV De Ruyter • V Celebes • VI Kijkduin • VII Eendracht • VIII Haarlem • VIII De Zeven ProvinciënDoubloons • IX Johan de Witt • IX Van SpeijkDoubloons • X Gouden Leeuw • X Prins van Oranje 
Italy  I Eritrea • II Nino Bixio • III Taranto • IV Alberto di Giussano • V Raimondo Montecuccoli • V GenovaDoubloons • VI Trento • VI Duca d'AostaDoubloons • VII Zara • VII Duca degli AbruzziDoubloons • VII Francesco FerruccioDoubloons • VII GoriziaDoubloons • VIII Amalfi • IX Brindisi • IX MichelangeloDoubloons • X Venezia • X NapoliDoubloons • X Napoli BDoubloons •  Piemonte 
Commonwealth  I Sutlej • II Port Jackson • III Caradoc • IV Dunedin • V Red Fort • VI Hobart • VI PerthDoubloons • VI MysoreDoubloons • VII Uganda • VIII Auckland • IX Encounter • IX HectorDoubloons • X Cerberus • X BrisbaneDoubloons 
Pan-America  I Hércules • II Almirante Barroso • II Almirante AbreuDoubloons • III Vicente Guerrero • IV Córdoba • V La Argentina • VI Almirante Cochrane • VII Coronel Bolognesi • VII Nueve de JulioDoubloons • VIII Ignacio Allende • VIII Almirante GrauDoubloons • IX Santander • X San Martín