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Shokaku

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Shōkaku
Shōkaku_wows_main.jpg
Aircraft Carrier | Japan | Tier VIII
Tech Tree Position
Ryūjō
Arrow_down.png
Shōkaku_icon_small.png
Arrow_down.png
Hakuryū
stock
 top
General
Research price161000 exp
Purchase price11,500,000 Credits
Hit Points50,100 
Secondary Armament #1
127 mm/40 Type 89 on a Model A1 mount6 х 2 pcs.
Firing Range4.5 km.
Rate of Fire12 shots/min.
Reload Timesec.
HE Shell127 mm HE Type0 
Maximum HE Shell Damage2,100 
Initial HE Shell Velocity725 m./s.
Chance of Fire on Target Caused by HE Shell%
Secondary Armament #2
127 mm/40 Type 89 on a Model A1 Mod.3 mount2 х 2 pcs.
Firing Range4.5 km.
Rate of Fire10 shots/min.
Reload Timesec.
HE Shell127 mm HE Type0 
Maximum HE Shell Damage2,100 
Initial HE Shell Velocity725 m./s.
Chance of Fire on Target Caused by HE Shell%
AA Defense
127 mm/40 Type 89 on a Model A1 mount6 х 2 pcs.
. . . Average Damage per Second60.6 
. . . Firing Range5.01 km.
127 mm/40 Type 89 on a Model A1 Mod.3 mount2 х 2 pcs.
. . . Average Damage per Second20.2 
. . . Firing Range5.01 km.
25 mm/60 Type 96 on a single mount36 х 1 pcs.
. . . Average Damage per Second64.8 
. . . Firing Range2.49 km.
Maneuverability
Maximum Speed34 knot
Turning Circle Radius1 130 m.
Rudder Shift Time18.3 sec.
Concealment
Surface Detectability Range12.06 km.
Air Detectability Range9.58 km.
Battle Levels
12345678910
Wows_anno_flag_japan.png
VIII
Ship_PJSA108_Shokaku.png
11,500,000

Shōkaku — Japanese Tier VIII aircraft сarrier.

The notorious heavy aircraft carrier whose design stemmed from the experience gained in building the Hiryu-class carriers. Compared to her predecessor, Shōkaku came with reinforced anti-aircraft armament, a larger air group and somewhat improved armor. During the course of World War II, the ship's AA capabilities were significantly enhanced.

Modules

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)
Shōkaku (A)50,10062152/636/2/6 01,200,000
Shōkaku (B)51,40062152/632/20/2/6 27,0003,000,000
Attack Aircraft Speed
(knot)
IDS_SHIP_PARAM_SQUADRON_MED_DAMAGE
(HP/min)
IDS_SHIP_PARAM_SQUADRON_AMMO_AMOUNTHit Points
(HP)
Research price
(exp)
Purchase price
(Credits)
A6M5 Zero1441,330 0600,000
N1K2-J Shiden-Kai1511,390 18,0001,500,000
Torpedo Bombers Maximum Torpedo Damage
(HP)
Speed
(knot)
Hit Points
(HP)
Research price
(exp)
Purchase price
(Credits)
B6N Tenzan7,2331331,600 0600,000
B7A Ryūsei7,2331371,670 18,0001,500,000
Bombers Maximum Bomb Damage
(HP)
Speed
(knot)
Hit Points
(HP)
Research price
(exp)
Purchase price
(Credits)
D4Y3 Suisei1421,580 0600,000
B7A Ryūsei1451,650 18,0001,500,000
Engine Maximum Speed
(knot)
Research price
(exp)
Purchase price
(Credits)
Propulsion: 152,000 hp34 0500,000

Compatible Upgrades

 Slot 1 
Air Groups Modification 1
Auxiliary Armaments Modification 1
Damage Control Party Modification 1
 Slot 2 
Damage Control System Modification 1
Aircraft Engines Modification 1
 Slot 3 
Secondary Battery Modification 1
Torpedo Bombers Modification 1
Attack Aircraft Modification 1
Aerial Torpedoes Modification 1
 Slot 4 
Damage Control System Modification 2
Attack Aircraft Modification 2
Torpedo Bombers Modification 2
Bombers Modification 1
Airstrike Modification 1
 Slot 5 
Flight Control Modification 1
Concealment System Modification 1
Squadron Consumables 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.


Attack Aircraft:

The attack aircraft have very good speed that can be used to chase down destroyers more effectively than other nation's attack aircraft. When attacking a target they have a very tight aiming circle providing good accuracy and is useful for targeting all ship types. They are also dropped in large amounts providing better chances of hitting a target. The stock planes has 8 planes with a total of 4 attack runs and 2 planes in a attack run. The researchable attack aircraft has 9 planes with a total of 3 attack runs with 3 planes in a attack run.

Torpedo Bombers:

When fully upgraded, player can attack 5 times with double torpedoes per time. The torpedo range, speed and damage is excellent. With a full concealment build, players could drop their payload almost the instance the planes are spotted. The downside is that the planes are one of the weakest of all tier VIII carriers, and players need to utilize the long range of the torpedoes for longer duration of its usage. The stock torpedo bombers has 10 planes with a total of 5 attack runs and 2 planes in a attack run. The researchable torpedo bombers has the same numbers but with faster plane speed and better health.

Dive Bombers:

Unlike most carriers, Shokaku uses AP dive bombers. German battleships, cruisers; French battleships; Soviet battleships; American cruisers are good candidates for citadel hits. But keep in mind that these planes are very weak and using against the aforementioned targets may not be viable from early on in the match. Use islands and target HE saturated ships for finishing or devastating blows. As the AP fuse need time to arm, using against destroyers are quite ineffective. The aiming mechanism is different from USN dive bombers as the aiming circle initially dip backward slightly before moving forward at the very last minute. This can be useful if the player overshoot the target's momentum, but with less possibility of a citadel hit. The stock dive bombers has 9 planes with a total of 3 attack runs and 3 planes in a attack run. The researchable dive bombers has the same numbers but with faster plane speed and better health.

Overall:

Shokaku is more of a anti-BB, cruiser carrier in its role as it lacks HE bombs of the Americans or the fast rockets of the British. Also it has one of the weakest planes with low health pools. This is a serious disadvantage compared to the Lexington or the Implacable as tier 8~10 battles intoduce cruisers and battleships with stong AA. Concealment of planes, use of islands to block AA are essential to keep up the air attacks till late in the game. Any vital mistakes that leads to annhiliation of squadrons will leave playes with only 1 or 2 planes per squadron. Furthermore, the ship lacks a powerful AA defense, so it is best to take advantage of her concealment and remain unspotted for as long as possible.

Pros:

  • Fast planes and combining her high potential damage for all plane types, she can helps support teammates often and effectively.
  • Attack aircraft carry accurate rockets and are drop in large amounts per attack run that can be very effective even to battleships.
  • Best aerial torpedoes in tier - high speed, good damage and long range.
  • Torpedo bombers can drop 5 times in a row, assuming that no planes are lost.
  • AP bombs can deal significant damage to cruisers and battleships, assuming that they hit the citadel.
  • Well protected citadel and improved armor compared to her predecessor Ryujo
  • Fastest tier VIII carrier speed of 34 knots allows for quick relocation when needed
  • Good ship and torpedo bomber concealment.

Cons:

  • Planes have low healthpool, careful use of planes and using tactics such as dodging flaks and careful target selection will keep her fighting.
  • Rockets are not as accurate as Ryujo, although this is offset by larger payload and damage.
  • AP bombs are only effective against select targets, and nigh-useless against destroyers
  • AP bombs often deal poor amount of damage when they don't hit the citadel of a ship.
  • AP bombs can bounce, dealing no damage on target.
  • Torpedo bombers only drop 2 torpedos per attack run compare to other same tier CVs.
  • Enormous turn radius, loses a lot of speed during turns.
  • lacks a powerful AA defense

Research

This is a suggested research path:

  1. B7A Ryusei (Torpedo bombers)
  2. N1K2-J Shiden-Kai
  3. B7A Ryusei (Dive bombers)
  4. Hull(B) for better resistance against CV sniping.

Optimal Configuration

Upgrades

The recommended upgrades for Shōkaku are as follows:

Upgrade Slot 5 offers players Concealment System Modification 1: -10% to detectability radius. / +5% to the dispersion of enemy shells fired at your ship. to bring Shōkaku`s torpedo bombers' concealment down to 6.7km. This means players can start their drop well beyond the detection range of the planes and surprise ships with 5.4k range torpedoes. However, if players are losing planes faster then they anticipate, they should go for Flight Control Modification 1 Does not work with tactical squadrons: -5% aircraft restoration time / +2 carrier deck places available..

Commander Skills

Any skills that are related to an enemy vessel firing on your carrier are not useful, as the cost-benefit of investing in survivability skills is not worth the minimal benefit they offer. Shōkaku is large and unarmored, and will not survive an attack by any ship larger than a destroyer. Shōkaku captains must position their ship near friendlies or behind islands, away from enemy fire.

Consumables

Shōkaku has access to the following consumables:

All aircraft carrier consumables are automatically activated.

Attack Aircraft:

Torpedo Bombers:

Bombers:

Signals

As a carrier, Shōkaku should mount Equal Speed Charlie London (🚫), Zulu Hotel (🚫), November Echo Setteseven (+5% continuous damage by all AA guns, +5% damage per second within the explosion radius of shells fired from medium- and long-range AA defenses.), and Juliet Whiskey Unaone (+15% chance of causing flooding. / +5% to the risk of your ship's magazine detonating.), and possibly others.


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

Gallery

Historical Info

Historical Gallery

References

  1. Japanese aircraft carrier Shōkaku - Wikipedia
  2. Shōkaku-class aircraft carrier - Wikipedia

Ship Change Log

See here for links to Update notes.

  • Added to the game in Alpha under the name Zuikaku.
  • Returned to the game in Update 0.3.1.
  • Between Updates 0.3.1 and 0.3.1.4, the name was changed to Shokaku.
  • Update 0.3.1.4:
    • The maximum damage value of torpedoes for torpedo bombers was decreased from 10,700 to 8,567.
  • Update 0.4.1:
    • The characteristics of the Flight Control modules and the corresponding squadron compositions were changed:
      • Flight control Type 8 mod 2: 3 torpedo bomber, 3 bomber and 0 fighter squadrons to 2 torpedo bomber, 2 bomber and 2 fighter squadrons.
      • Flight control Type 8 mod 3: 2 torpedo bomber, 2 bomber and 1 fighter squadrons to 1 torpedo bomber, 2 bomber and 3 fighter squadrons.
    • The credit and experience earnings were reduced by a value between 5 and 10%.
  • Update 0.5.2:
    • Credit earnings were decreased by 6%.
  • Update 0.5.3:
    • Fighter planes A6M2 changed to Mitsubishi A6M5-C.
    • Fighter planes Mitsubishi A7M1 changed to Kawanishi N1K5-A.
  • Update 0.5.3.2:
    • The Type 7 camouflage was renamed to Type 10.
  • Update 0.5.5:
    • Added Defensive AA Fire.
      • Active for 120 seconds, 25mm AA is enhanced by 1.75x. Reload Time for regular consumable (enhanced in parentheses): 360 (240) seconds; number of uses: 1 (2).
  • Update 0.5.10:
    • The display of some decorative items were fixed on low settings.
  • Update 0.5.11:
    • Armor model of the hull was updated.
  • 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 thickness of the bow and stern plating was reduced from 21 to 19 mm.
  • Update 0.6.11:
    • Fixed a bug with a double layer of aft transverse armor.
  • Update 0.6.14:
    • The duration of the Damage Control Party was increased from 5 to 30 s.
    • The fire resistance coefficient was increased to 0.8 on the top hull.
  • Update 0.7.2:
    • Players who collected the ships sub-collection of the Yamomoto Isoroku collection were given the opportunity to use an additional permanent camouflage color.
  • Update 0.7.6:
    • Improved the display of thin elements of the exterior customizations.
  • Update 0.8.0:
    • The Fighter squadron was changed to an Attack squadron:
      • Attack Aircraft per squadron: 10; Attack Aircraft per attack group: 2; Amount of rockets per aircraft: 6.
    • The Dive Bombers were changed:
      • Dive Bomber aircraft per squadron: 9; Dive Bomber aircraft per attack group: 3; Amount of bombs per aircraft: 1.
    • The Torpedo Bombers were changed:
      • Torpedo Bomber aircraft per squadron: 8; Torpedo Bomber aircraft per attack group: 2; Amount of torpedoes per aircraft: 1
    • For replacement and compensation due to the carrier rework, refer to this page.
    • For consumables mounted by squadrons, refer to this page.
    • For consumables mounted by Shokaku, refer to this page.
    • Defensive AA Fire was removed.
  • Update 0.8.0.1:
    • The Attack Aircraft were changed:
      • Attack Aircraft per squadron was changed from 10 to 9; the Attack Aircraft per attack group was changed from 2 to 3.
    • The Torpedo Bombers were changed:
      • If during the preparation for the attack, the attack group maneuvers, your aim will not stabilize (aiming cone stops narrowing). And if maneuvering during an attack run, it begins to widen.
      • Torpedo flooding chance reduced by one-third.
      • Fixed a bug where the minimum speed of stock bombers exceeded the minimum speed of researchable bombers.
  • Update 0.8.0.3:
    • The Attack Aircraft were changed:
      • The preparation time was increased.
      • Changing direction while during an attack now introduces a aiming penalty.
      • Maneuverability during the preparation for the attack and during the attack run was reduced.
      • The attack time was reduced.
  • Update 0.8.1.1:
    • The Torpedo Bombers were changed:
      • The speed of aim reduction while attacking was increased on the Torpedo Bombers B6N Tenzan and B7A Ryusei.
      • The preparation time at the beginning of the attack was reduced from 5 to 4 s on the Torpedo Bombers B6N Tenzan and B7A Ryusei.
      • The number of Torpedo Bombers on the deck at the beginning of the game was increased to two full squadrons.
      • Cooldown of the Repair consumable on the Torpedo Bombers was reduced from 180 to 120 s, and the number of charges increased from 3 to 4.
    • The hitpoints of all stock aircraft were increased to be within 5% of the hitpoints of the researchable aircraft.
  • Update 0.8.2:
    • Fixed incorrect names of aircraft.
  • Update 0.8.7:
    • The Torpedo Bombers were changed:
      • The number of stock torpedo bombers in a squadron was increased from 6 to 8.
      • The number of researchable torpedo bombers in a squadron was increased from 8 to 10.
      • The number of stock bombers in a squadron was increased from 6 to 9.
      • The size of the attacking flight of stock bombers was increased from 2 to 3.
      • The number of researchable torpedo bombers on the deck was decreased from 16 to 15.
      • The number of stock bombers on the deck was increased from 9 to 14.
  • Update 0.8.10:
    • The experience earnings were reduced by 10% for battles ending in Defeats.
  • Update 0.9.2:
    • The Dive Bombers were changed:
      • Time between attacks was increased from 5 to 8.5 s.
  • Update 0.9.6:
    • The Dive Bombers were changed:
      • The damage on the stock Dive Bombers was reduced from 6100 to 5100.
      • The damage on the researchable Dive Bombers was reduced from 7600 to 6200.
      • The armor penetration of the bombs on the researchable Dive Bombers was increased by 8%.
    • The geometry and textures were improved.
  • Update 0.9.7:
    • The Attack Aircraft were changed:
      • The reticle of the Attack Aircraft was rotated 90 degrees.
    • The research cost of the ship was increased from 158,000 to 161,000 experience.
  • Update 0.10.0:
    • The Patrol Fighters were changed:
      • The speed of the Patrol Fighters on the researchable hull was increased to 235 knots.
      • The detectability of the Patrol Fighters was increased to 7.5 km.
  • Update 0.10.5:
    • The Attack Aircraft were changed:
      • Added a delay before launching rockets, displayed by machine gun fire.
      • Length of delay: 3.9 s.
  • Update 0.11.5:
    • Minor fixes to geometry and textures of the ship.
  • Update 0.11.6:
    • Minor fixes to the model and textures of the ship.
  • Update 12.9:
    • Fixed camera issues when viewing the ship.
  • Update 12.10:
    • Improved the visual details of the armor layout for the ship.
    • Added fixes to the textures and other visuals of the ship.
  • Update 12.11:
    • Improved geometry and textures of the ship.

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