Akizuki
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. |
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. |
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. |
Maximum Speed33 knot |
Turning Circle Radius730 m. |
Rudder Shift Time7.8 sec. |
Surface Detectability Range7.53 km. |
Air Detectability Range3.56 km. |
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
Compatible Upgrades
Slot 1 |
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Slot 2 |
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Slot 3 |
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Slot 4 |
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Slot 5 |
Player Opinion
Performance
Tier VIII's Akizuki is a major departure from the rest of the Japanese destroyer line. She packs both more guns and fewer torpedoes than any of her cousins that surround her on the tech tree, giving her a very different playstyle than any ship before or after. She is a unique ship that requires a completely different approach to the typical ninja-like playstyle of other Japanese destroyers that attempt to overwhelm their enemies with torpedoes fired from stealth. She shares a number of similarities with high-tier Russian destroyers Udaloi and Khabarovsk; captains familiar with how those ships play will likely feel right at home in Akizuki.
Akizuki’s main battery is comprised of four (4) double 100mm turrets. Unlike most Japanese destroyer gun turrets, these 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 American destroyer 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. They are comfortable to fire and fairly easy to guide on to target. Her main battery is equally capable of chewing up battleship and cruiser superstructure with armor-piercing rounds or dueling enemy destroyers with high explosive ones.
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 share's Shiratsuyu’s access to the improved version of the Torpedo Reload Booster consumable without having to give up access to Smoke Generator, so she is capable of doing significant damage with her torpedo armament against unsuspecting captains by virtue of mounting the same Type 93 mod. 2 torpedoes that Kagero carries.
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. Still, her anti-aircraft suite beats out every other Japanese destroyer in the game, and she has the customarily low detection radius typical of her brethren. 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 guns.
- Armor-piercing rounds are punishing against broadside ships thanks to her rate of fire.
- Above-average anti-aircraft suite for a Japanese destroyer due to her dual-purpose main battery guns.
- Can equip the improved version of the Torpedo Reload Booster consumable that reduces torpedo reload time to 5 seconds, and doesn't have to give up Smoke Generator to do so.
Cons:
- 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.
- High explosive shells have very low damage and fire chance.
- Only one torpedo launcher (on a long reload) means she is almost totally reliant on her guns for damage.
- Her 100mm shells are hard pressed to damage certain targets; hits for zero damage against cruisers and battleships are not uncommon.
Research
Optimal Configuration
Upgrades
Akizuki’s gunboat playstyle means that her upgrade modules will look very similar to that of similarly-tiered cruisers and Russian destroyers. Main Armaments Modification 1 in Upgrade Slot 1 and Aiming Systems Modification 1 in Upgrade Slot 2 are the best options. A case can be made for AA Guns Modification 2 in that second slot, but lacking access to the Defensive AA Fire consumable, it isn't recommended. Propulsion Modification 1 is the top choice in Upgrade Slot 4. Either Steering Gears Modification 2 or Propulsion Modification 2 should be slotted into Upgrade Slot 5. Like all Tier VIII+ destroyers, Concealment System Module 1 is a must-have in Upgrade Slot 6.
Commander Skills
Captains have some obvious choices to make with their Akizuki commander, and some that will be much tougher.
Tier 1's Basic Firing Training is the obvious choice, as it improves the rate of fire of her main battery guns. Similarly, Tier 2's Last Stand is the obvious front-runner given how likely she is to find herself under fire by enemy cruisers and destroyers. While a case can be made for the various other Tier 2 skills, they are all highly situational and best suited as a place to invest points after the first 15 have been spent. At Tier 3, Superintendent is probably the strongest choice, though Vigilance and High Alert are also solid picks. As a destroyer, Concealment Expert at Tier 5 is clearly the best option.
Tier 4 is where Akizuki captains must make tough decisions. The low fire chance on her shells makes Demolition Expert attractive for captains who intend to focus her in as a fire-breather; Advanced Firing Training increases her main battery range past 12 km, giving her a very comfortable window — almost 4.0 km — from which she can fire her main battery without being detected; Survivability Expert increases her health pool by more than 15%, making her that much more difficult to remove from play; and Manual Fire Control for AA Armament gives her more punch against enemy aircraft than any other Japanese destroyer in the game. Advanced Firing Training likely offers the most utility, but all of these choices are worth considering and none of them are bad.
Recommended Commander Skills | ||||||||
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Cost (points) |
Endurance | Attack | Support | Versatility | ||||
1 |
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★★ |
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★ |
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2 |
★★ |
★★ |
★ |
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★★★ |
3 |
★ |
★★★ |
★ |
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★★★ |
★★★ |
★★ |
★★ |
4 |
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★ |
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★★★ |
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★★★ |
Key: ★★★ - Extremely Useful ★★ - Frequently Useful ★ - Occasionally Useful No stars - Meh Χ - Not recommended |
Consumables
A gunboat destroyer like Akizuki is inevitably going to come under heavy fire; the abbreviated cooldown on Damage Control Party II will eventually pay for itself. Shelling out the doubloons or credits here is highly recommended. Her low speed also makes the shortened cooldown on Engine Boost II highly attractive. Paying for Smoke Generator II is captain's choice, but there are times that the shortened cooldown on smoke is the difference between sneaking away and going to the bottom.
Camouflage
Type 1, 2, or 5 camouflage can be equipped for credits; Types 1 or 5 are recommended at a minimum to reduce detectibility range.
Signals
Victor Lima and India X-Ray signal flags will help boost Akizuki’s meager fire chance, especially when combined with Demolition Expert. Juliet Charlie should also go along with those flags in order to prevent detonations. Sierra Mike will help make up some of her deficiency in top speed.Gallery
Akizuki engages an enemy Izumo class battleship with torpedoes and gunfire.
Historical Info
Historical Gallery