Des Moines
Revision as of 23:43, 18 November 2018 Fixed content | Revision as of 11:15, 22 July 2019 Fixed commander skill names | |||
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|Performance=<!-- write text about performance in battles below --> | |Performance=<!-- write text about performance in battles below --> | |||
? | Only a handful of high tier cruisers are known to have absurd firing rates: ''[[Neptune]]'', ''[[Minotaur]]'', and this heavy cruiser. It is no surprise that due to her being the last all-gun cruiser made, she has all the lessons learned from her cruiser predecessors in the Second World War incorporated in her design. A very noticeable trait on ''Des Moines'' is her absurd rate of fire for a heavy cruiser with each turret | + | Only a handful of high tier cruisers are known to have absurd firing rates: ''[[Neptune]]'', ''[[Minotaur]]'', ''[[Worcester]]'', and this heavy cruiser. It is no surprise that due to her being the last all-gun cruiser made, she has all the lessons learned from her cruiser predecessors in the Second World War incorporated in her design. A very noticeable trait on ''Des Moines'' is her absurd rate of fire for a heavy cruiser, with each turret reloading at 5.5 seconds, making her extremely deadly to destroyers within radar range and other cruisers. She also can whittle down battleships quickly and, with her impressive AA suite, wipe out carrier strike squadrons with ease. However, she is extremely fragile: her thin armor makes her susceptible to penetration from most Tier IX and Tier X battleships at all ranges. <br /> | |
+ | While ''{{#var:ship_name}}'' has impressive firepower and AA, her maneuverability is mediocre and her armor is terrible. With a standard cruiser speed of 33 kts and fast base rudder shift time of 8.6 seconds, ''{{#var:ship_name}}'' can evade incoming shells and torpedoes relatively well. However, while she can turn well, the speed loss on turning is massive enough to make her an easy target for any other ship with their guns loaded and ready. Additionally, with her 27mm armor belt (as opposed to ''[[Zao]]'' and ''[[Hindenburg]]''’s 30mm or ''[[Moskva]]''’s 50mm) this makes her very susceptible to most battleship AP shells at most ranges. Additionally, because of how flat her bow is designed in comparison to the other Tier X heavy cruisers, this makes her extremely susceptible to enemy battleship AP shells being able to penetrate her citadel through her bow. | |||
? | ||||
+ | In contrast to her weak points, the ''{{#var:ship_name}}'' high shell arc and gun layout gives her a unique advantage that her cruiser colleagues at her tier lack and as such she is capable of weighing anchor behind an island and lob shells over the island at distant targets with relative safety. Should the island be too tall, one can also park the ship around the corner of an island while bow on to act as a deterrent to advancing enemy ships, while presenting a relatively small profile. Exploiting this technique allows one to turn a disadvantage into an advantage. Additionally, firing AP shells at bigger targets such as battleships can deal a surprising amount of damage in such a short time. However, it is recommended to do so only when she is close enough to have the rounds deal maximum penetration or if the target is broadside. Furthermore, given her rate of fire and decent fire chance, this makes ''{{#var:ship_name}}'' a deadly flamethrower to battleships within reach.<br /> | |||
? | + | |||
+ | Overall, unlike most other Tier X cruisers, ''{{#var:ship_name}}'' cannot fight as effectively on open water due to her thin armor, slow shell velocity, and speed loss when turning. If the player has mounted the [[Ship:Upgrades#Enhanced_Propulsion|Legendary Upgrade]], then ''{{#var:ship_name}}'' can become a very agile ship that will prove extremely difficult to hit, provided the player can use their speed and rudder accordingly. But should they play without said upgrade, then a more safe approach for each game would be to play defensively during the initial stages of the game, while becoming more aggressive slowly towards the end. But in general, how aggressive the player should be depends upon the flow of the battle. | |||
|Pros=<!-- write list of positive points below. use * as in ordinary wiki-list. --> | |Pros=<!-- write list of positive points below. use * as in ordinary wiki-list. --> | |||
? | ||||
* Fast reload - fastest out of all heavy cruisers of Tier X, which also makes up for relatively low fire chance. | * Fast reload - fastest out of all heavy cruisers of Tier X, which also makes up for relatively low fire chance. | |||
* Great shell penetration - can basically fire her AP shells at any (broadside) ship with great efficiency. | * Great shell penetration - can basically fire her AP shells at any (broadside) ship with great efficiency. | |||
? | * Good AP shell angles - | + | * Good AP shell angles - the higher autobounce angles for the AP shells means they can easily pen at angles where other cruiser's AP shells will bounce, making for a devastating combination with the high shell penetration. | |
? | * Powerful anti-aircraft armament - rivaled only by ''[[Hindenburg]]'', ''[[Minotaur]]'', and | + | * Powerful anti-aircraft armament - rivaled only by ''[[Hindenburg]]'', ''[[Minotaur]]'', and ''[[Worcester]]'', ''{{#var:ship_name}}'' can easily shoot down any carrier strike aircraft without {{Defensive AA Fire}}. | |
? | * High shell arc | + | * High shell arc - allows firing from behind island cover and consistent citadel hits on other cruisers from long range due to plunging fire. | |
* Medium ranged and long-lasting {{Surveillance Radar}}. | * Medium ranged and long-lasting {{Surveillance Radar}}. | |||
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* Easily damaged by HE shells. | * Easily damaged by HE shells. | |||
* Low main battery survivability - easily incapacitated / destroyed by other 203mm AP shells after sufficient time. | * Low main battery survivability - easily incapacitated / destroyed by other 203mm AP shells after sufficient time. | |||
? | * | + | * Slow shell velocity and high arc - enemies have time to maneuver and evade the shells. | |
* High citadel - plunging fire from other ships will easily penetrate the citadel. | * High citadel - plunging fire from other ships will easily penetrate the citadel. | |||
? | * | + | * Poorly armoured - Almost all battleships will be able to overmatch the plating, and, in conjunction with the high citadel, deal devastating damage. | |
? | + | |||
* Anti-aircraft armament very easily destroyed - can quickly be rendered useless against aerial attacks. | * Anti-aircraft armament very easily destroyed - can quickly be rendered useless against aerial attacks. | |||
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? | [[Image:Icon_modernization_PCM018_AirDefense_Mod_III.png|left]]'''Anti-air Build:''' | + | [[Image:Icon_modernization_PCM018_AirDefense_Mod_III.png|left]]'''Anti-air Build:''' Captains wishing to focus the role of ''{{#var:ship_name}}'' on air defense will opt for {{Auxiliary Armaments Modification 1}} for '''Slot 1''' to increase anti-aircraft armament durability, {{AA Guns Modification 1}} for '''Slot 3''' to increase her medium- and long-range AA power, and {{AA Guns Modification 2}} for '''Slot 6''' to increase her overall AA power. If rather than maximum AA defense a more balanced build is desired, consider replacing AA Guns Modification 2 with {{Gun Fire Control System Modification 2}} for range or {{Main Battery Modification 3}} for faster reload. | |
? | [[Image:Wows_icon_modernization_PCM013_MainGun_Mod_III.png|left]]'''Gun Build:''' Captains focusing on making ''{{#var:ship_name}}'' have better main batteries will opt for {{Main Armaments Modification 1}} for '''Slot 1''', {{Aiming Systems Modification 1}} for the '''Slot 3''' to increase her accuracy, and Main Battery Modification 3 for the '''Slot 6''' to shorten her reload down to 4.8s or even lower with Adrenaline Rush skill. Gun Fire Control System Modification 2 for the '''Slot 6''' is also useful, as it increase her range up to 18.4km, on par with''[[Moskva]]''’s and ''Hindenburg''’s. Again, this | + | [[Image:Wows_icon_modernization_PCM013_MainGun_Mod_III.png|left]]'''Gun Build:''' Captains focusing on making ''{{#var:ship_name}}'' have better main batteries will opt for {{Main Armaments Modification 1}} for '''Slot 1''', {{Aiming Systems Modification 1}} for the '''Slot 3''' to increase her accuracy, and Main Battery Modification 3 for the '''Slot 6''' to shorten her reload down to 4.8s or even lower with Adrenaline Rush skill. Gun Fire Control System Modification 2 for the '''Slot 6''' is also useful, as it increase her range up to 18.4km, on par with''[[Moskva]]''’s and ''Hindenburg''’s. Again, this depends on captain's choice whether better reload or better range is what he pursue. This build also removes her AA usefulness, although her AA is still powerful even when not focused on AA. | |
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| Preventative Maintenance = 2 | | Preventative Maintenance = 2 | |||
| Expert Loader = | | Expert Loader = | |||
? | | | + | | Air Supremacy = | |
? | | Direction Center for | + | | Direction Center for Fighters = | |
? | | | + | | Improved Engine Boost = | |
| Incoming Fire Alert = 1 | | Incoming Fire Alert = 1 | |||
? | | | + | | Last Gasp = | |
| High Alert = 1 | | High Alert = 1 | |||
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| Torpedo Acceleration = | | Torpedo Acceleration = | |||
| Smoke Screen Expert = | | Smoke Screen Expert = | |||
? | | | + | | Improved Engines = | |
| Adrenaline Rush = 3 | | Adrenaline Rush = 3 | |||
| Last Stand = | | Last Stand = | |||
? | ||||
| Basics of Survivability = 2 | | Basics of Survivability = 2 | |||
+ | | Survivability Expert = 1 | |||
| Torpedo Armament Expertise = | | Torpedo Armament Expertise = | |||
? | | | + | | Aircraft Armor = | |
| Basic Firing Training = 2 | | Basic Firing Training = 2 | |||
| Superintendent = 3 | | Superintendent = 3 | |||
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| Fire Prevention = 1 | | Fire Prevention = 1 | |||
| Inertia Fuse for HE Shells = 1 | | Inertia Fuse for HE Shells = 1 | |||
? | | | + | | Sight Stabilization = | |
| Advanced Firing Training = 3 | | Advanced Firing Training = 3 | |||
| Manual Fire Control for AA Armament = 2 | | Manual Fire Control for AA Armament = 2 |
Revision as of 11:15, 22 July 2019
203 mm/55 RF Mk.16 in a turret3 х 3 pcs. |
Rate of Fire10.91 shots/min. |
Reload Time5.5 sec. |
Rotation Speed6 deg./sec. |
180 Degree Turn Time30 sec. |
Firing Range15.83 km. |
Maximum Dispersion142 m. |
HE Shell203 mm HE/HC Mk25 |
Maximum HE Shell Damage2,800 |
Chance of Fire on Target Caused by HE Shell14 % |
Initial HE Shell Velocity823 m./s. |
HE Shell Weight118 kg. |
AP Shell203 mm AP Mk21 |
Maximum AP Shell Damage5,000 |
Initial AP Shell Velocity762 m./s. |
AP Shell Weight152 kg. |
127 mm/38 Mk.12 on a Mk.32 mount6 х 2 pcs. |
Firing Range7.3 km. |
Rate of Fire10 shots/min. |
Reload Time6 sec. |
HE Shell127 mm HE Mk32 |
Maximum HE Shell Damage1,800 |
Initial HE Shell Velocity792 m./s. |
Chance of Fire on Target Caused by HE Shell5 % |
127 mm/38 Mk.12 on a Mk.32 mount6 х 2 pcs. |
. . . Average Damage per Second90.6 |
. . . Firing Range5.01 km. |
76.2 mm/50 Mk.22 on a Mk.33 mount10 х 2 pcs. |
. . . Average Damage per Second208 |
. . . Firing Range3.99 km. |
20 mm Oerlikon on a Mk.4 mount12 х 1 pcs. |
. . . Average Damage per Second43.2 |
. . . Firing Range2.01 km. |
76.2 mm/50 Mk.22 on a Mk.33 mount2 х 2 pcs. |
. . . Average Damage per Second41.6 |
. . . Firing Range3.99 km. |
Maximum Speed33 knot |
Turning Circle Radius770 m. |
Rudder Shift Time8.6 sec. |
Surface Detectability Range13.44 km. |
Air Detectability Range7.9 km. |
Des Moines — American Tier X cruiser.
One of the best heavy cruisers in the world. The ship was designed using the experience gained in World War II, resulting in excellent protection and very powerful AA armament. The key distinctive feature of cruisers of this type was auto-loading main guns that had a very high rate of fire.
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 |
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Slot 6 |
Player Opinion
Performance
Only a handful of high tier cruisers are known to have absurd firing rates: Neptune, Minotaur, Worcester, and this heavy cruiser. It is no surprise that due to her being the last all-gun cruiser made, she has all the lessons learned from her cruiser predecessors in the Second World War incorporated in her design. A very noticeable trait on Des Moines is her absurd rate of fire for a heavy cruiser, with each turret reloading at 5.5 seconds, making her extremely deadly to destroyers within radar range and other cruisers. She also can whittle down battleships quickly and, with her impressive AA suite, wipe out carrier strike squadrons with ease. However, she is extremely fragile: her thin armor makes her susceptible to penetration from most Tier IX and Tier X battleships at all ranges.
While Des Moines has impressive firepower and AA, her maneuverability is mediocre and her armor is terrible. With a standard cruiser speed of 33 kts and fast base rudder shift time of 8.6 seconds, Des Moines can evade incoming shells and torpedoes relatively well. However, while she can turn well, the speed loss on turning is massive enough to make her an easy target for any other ship with their guns loaded and ready. Additionally, with her 27mm armor belt (as opposed to Zao and Hindenburg’s 30mm or Moskva’s 50mm) this makes her very susceptible to most battleship AP shells at most ranges. Additionally, because of how flat her bow is designed in comparison to the other Tier X heavy cruisers, this makes her extremely susceptible to enemy battleship AP shells being able to penetrate her citadel through her bow.
In contrast to her weak points, the Des Moines high shell arc and gun layout gives her a unique advantage that her cruiser colleagues at her tier lack and as such she is capable of weighing anchor behind an island and lob shells over the island at distant targets with relative safety. Should the island be too tall, one can also park the ship around the corner of an island while bow on to act as a deterrent to advancing enemy ships, while presenting a relatively small profile. Exploiting this technique allows one to turn a disadvantage into an advantage. Additionally, firing AP shells at bigger targets such as battleships can deal a surprising amount of damage in such a short time. However, it is recommended to do so only when she is close enough to have the rounds deal maximum penetration or if the target is broadside. Furthermore, given her rate of fire and decent fire chance, this makes Des Moines a deadly flamethrower to battleships within reach.
Pros:
- Fast reload - fastest out of all heavy cruisers of Tier X, which also makes up for relatively low fire chance.
- Great shell penetration - can basically fire her AP shells at any (broadside) ship with great efficiency.
- Good AP shell angles - the higher autobounce angles for the AP shells means they can easily pen at angles where other cruiser's AP shells will bounce, making for a devastating combination with the high shell penetration.
- Powerful anti-aircraft armament - rivaled only by Hindenburg, Minotaur, and Worcester, Des Moines can easily shoot down any carrier strike aircraft without Defensive AA Fire .
- High shell arc - allows firing from behind island cover and consistent citadel hits on other cruisers from long range due to plunging fire.
- Medium ranged and long-lasting Surveillance Radar .
Cons:
- Easily damaged by HE shells.
- Low main battery survivability - easily incapacitated / destroyed by other 203mm AP shells after sufficient time.
- Slow shell velocity and high arc - enemies have time to maneuver and evade the shells.
- High citadel - plunging fire from other ships will easily penetrate the citadel.
- Poorly armoured - Almost all battleships will be able to overmatch the plating, and, in conjunction with the high citadel, deal devastating damage.
- Anti-aircraft armament very easily destroyed - can quickly be rendered useless against aerial attacks.
Research
Optimal Configuration
Upgrades
The recommended upgrades for Des Moines are as follows:
- Slot 1: Main Armaments Modification 1 keeps the guns active and firing.
- Slot 2: Damage Control System Modification 1 lessen the fire damage taken, or Surveillance Radar Modification 1 if it is available.
- Slot 3: See below.
- Slot 4: Steering Gears Modification 2 allows for a faster rudder shift to dodge incoming fire.
- Slot 5: Concealment System Modification 1 stay concealed.
- Slot 6: See below.
Des Moines also has access to chain of missions that will grant a Unique Upgrade: Enhanced Propulsion Plant () for Slot 6, which decreases her rudder shift and also halves the time taken to accelerate to full power, while shortening her Surveillance Radar duration by 10%. With this upgrade and Propulsion Modification 1 (), Des Moines can accelerate from 0-27kts in about 8 seconds. It is also recommended to equip Surveillance Radar Modification 1 in Slot 2 to negate the negative effects of the Unique Upgrade.
Commander Skills
Recommended Commander Skills | ||||||||
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Cost (points) |
Endurance | Attack | Support | Versatility | ||||
1 |
★★★ |
★★ |
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|
|
|
★ |
|
2 |
★ |
★★★ |
★★ |
|
|
|
★★★ |
|
3 |
★★ |
★ |
|
|
★★ |
★★★ |
★★ |
★★ |
4 |
|
★ |
★ |
|
★★★ |
|
★★ |
★★★ |
Key: ★★★ - Extremely Useful ★★ - Frequently Useful ★ - Occasionally Useful No stars - Meh Χ - Not recommended |
Consumables
Des Moines can equip the following consumables:
- Slot 1: Damage Control Party
- Slot 2: Defensive AA Fire or Hydroacoustic Search
- Slot 3: Catapult Fighter , Spotting Aircraft , or Surveillance Radar
- Slot 4: Repair Party
Captain focusing Des Moines on AA build will equip Defensive AA Fire II () for the Slot 2, especially when in a division with a carrier. Although for solo playing, Hydroacoustic Search II () is more recommended if there is no carrier around.
Des Moines captains should use Surveillance Radar II () on Slot 3 to increase their in-game impact (hunting the extremely stealthy destroyers of Tier X), as Catapult Fighter and Spotting Aircraft are not at all useful in hunting stealthy or smoke-covered enemy ships.
Camouflage
Type 1, 2, or 5 camouflage can be equipped for Credits; Types 1 or 5 are recommended at a minimum to reduce detection range.
Players who wish to spend doubloons can equip Des Moines with Type 20 camouflage that lowers her detection range, reduces the accuracy of incoming shells, reduces her repair costs, increases her credit earnings, and increases the amount of experience she earns.
Signals
Recommended Signal Flags | |||||
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Combat | |||||
★★ |
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★★ |
★ |
★★★ |
★★★ |
|
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★★★ |
★★ |
★★★ |
★★★ |
|
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Note: Use of the Juliet Charlie signal makes detonation impossible.
Gallery
Historical Info
Historical Gallery
Video