Álvaro de Bazán

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Tier X destroyer ' marks Spain’s second entry into the game and its first high tier ship. Primarily a long range gunboat, ' 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, '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 6.1 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.

' features the burst fire mechanic found on some super ships. When selected, she can fire several salvos in quick succession, 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, ' 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

'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, ' 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

' 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

' 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.

' 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, ' 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.