De Zeven Provinciën

De Zeven Provinciën is a premium Tier VIII Dutch light cruiser. Like other high-tier Dutch cruisers, she carries the special airstrike armament and a short cooldown Repair Party consumable while maintaining the smaller, rapid firing 152mm guns of the lower tiers.

Hull:

As a light cruiser, De Zeven Provinciën has minimal protection. Her HP total of 33,800 is low for a Tier VIII cruiser, while her 25mm and stern and 27mm deck are average for her tier. Her deck protects her against 381mm shells but higher caliber guns will still overmatch her deck plating. This provides some protection against many Tier VIII battleships and ships armed with smaller caliber weaponry. Her underwater citadel and narrow hull results in fewer citadel hits as shells will likely overpen her hull armor. Like the other high-tier Dutch cruisers, De Zeven Provinciën features the short cooldown repair party consumable. Notably, her heal has a 40-second cooldown time.

De Zeven Provinciën’s maneuverability is mediocre, with a top speed of 32 knots. Her turning radius and rudder shift is average at 730m and 9 seconds respectively. She carries the Engine Boost consumable, which increases her top speed and acceleration. With her average agility and weak armor, De Zeven Provinciën can dodge long-range fire with her propulsion and engine boost, but her mediocre top speed means she cannot reposition quickly around the map.

De Zeven Provinciën has excellent concealment for a cruiser, going down to 9.3km with a full concealment build. This allows her to reach key positions and disengage without being detected easily. Her air concealment (with full concealment build) matches her AA battery range (6.9km). This allows her to utilize her concealment to go dark when needed and she will not be spotted by aircraft without her anti-aircraft guns firing and applying damage.

Armament:

De Zeven Provinciën carries eight 152mm guns in four twin turrets. They have an average range of 16km, fast reload, and both high explosive and armor-piercing shells. The shells are able to arc over most islands, enabling the utilization of island cover. All four turrets can rotate 360 degrees which is a benefit for both pushing and kiting.

De Zeven Provinciën does not have high damage capabilities. Her HE shells have a good fire rate, bad alpha damage, and a decent 11% fire chance. Due to the lack of shells per salvo, her damage per minute is low for a Tier VIII light cruiser and is reliant on lighting fires to deal damage against targets she cannot penetrate reliably. Her AP shells are also below average. Her lower penetration and average flight time make them less effective at long range and against angled targets. They are more suited for closer engagements against broadside cruisers, which is usually an unfavorable position for De Zeven Provinciën.

De Zeven Provinciën carries the Airstrike armament; unlike the tech tree Dutch cruisers, she has an additional charge, her airstrikes reload faster, and have a kilometer more range. However, they also have a smaller drop area and less health. The smaller drop area is more difficult to aim, but ensures more bomb hits when properly aimed. Her Airstrike drops 24 bombs, with each bomb dealing 5,800 damage, penetrating 34mm of armor, and having a 33% fire chance. Like other Dutch Airstrikes, they have a 15-second delay. Due to the delay, they are best used against large capital ships and stationary targets behind islands. A particularly useful tactic is using the airstrikes to set fires on enemy ships, forcing them to use their Damage Control Party, and then using the main battery to set permanent fires.

De Zeven Provinciën has strong anti-aircraft defenses, with a 6.9km range (highest range in tier 8) and 672 damage per second in her close to mid-range auras (up to 4km). While she cannot prevent a strike, Tier VI and VIII carriers will suffer plane losses. Many Tier X carriers will have minimal problems.

Consumables:

De Zeven Provinciën carries a unique consumable layout of a repair party and engine boost.

Her repair party is identical to Gouden Leeuw. It restores 50% of damage taken as well as 33% citadel damage taken and has a 40 second cooldown period. While the heal is good, De Zeven Provinciën is still a Tier VIII light cruiser and should not be in positions where the heals are needed to be used rapidly. Her engine boost is similar to that of a destroyer. It provides an 8% increase to her top speed with a 120 second duration and cooldown.

Playstyle:

With her light cruiser guns and thin armor combined with the Dutch heavy cruiser airstrikes and short cooldown heal, De Zeven Provinciën is unique among Tier VIII cruisers. She is a slow cruiser with low health and average armor. Her survivability is enhanced by the engine boost consumable aiding in dodging long range fire and the repair party consumable healing damage received. Due to the ability to arc shells and use airstrikes, players should position behind islands that keep her hull protected but allow her guns to be in the fight.

Her special airstrikes allow her to bomb stationary targets behind islands or slow capital ships, dealing penetration damage and lighting fires.

Despite lacking utility consumables such as hydroacoustic search or surveillance radar, De Zeven Provinciën brings team utility in the form of AA defense. With a long 6.9km range and high midrange damage, she can provide cover for allied ships and herself.