Des Moines
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
Warning. The data presented in the AA Defense sidebar section is incorrect.
Only a handful of high tier cruisers are known to have absurd firing rates: Neptune, Minotaur, Worcester, Colbert, 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 okay at best. 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. With her 30mm midsection(same as zao and hindenburg), it makes her vulnerable to bb shells of 431mm and above, also, the bow is 27mm, which is vulnerable to 406mm guns and above. Additionally, because of how flat her stern 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 stern.
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:
- An insane rate of fire for such heavy guns.
- High shell arcs make firing over islands easier.
- AP SHS (super-heavy shells) can retain pen and with American Heavy Cruiser ricochet angles(60-67.5) and can tear up almost everything, especially in close.
- A mediocre AA suite that turns solid when the Defensive AA Fire consumable is activated.
- Contrary to the sidebar data on this page, Des Moines's long-range AA artillery reaches out to 5.8km.
- 27mm armor protects against 15-inch guns, 30mm midsection protects against 16 inch guns; citadel is protected by a thick 152mm belt and a 127mm transverse bulkhead, allowing her to tank many battleships if sufficiently angled.
- Medium ranged (10km) and long-lasting Surveillance Radar .
Cons:
- Short ranged main battery with a stock reach of 15.8km.
- High shell arcs make hitting targets at range tricksy.
- No torpedoes.
- Citadel is above water and easy to hit when showing broadside, and all 431mm or larger guns can overmatch her armor.
- Poor torpedo defense (7%).
- Anti-aircraft armament easily destroyed and rendered useless against aerial attacks.
- Mediocre agility.
Research
Optimal Configuration
Des Moines can support several build variation. The maximum AA build is detailed separately.
Upgrades
Gunship build
- Slot 1: Main Armaments Modification 1 keeps the guns firing.
- Slot 2: Damage Control System Modification 1 or Surveillance Radar Modification 1 if it is available.
- Slot 3: See below
- Slot 4: Propulsion Modification 1 *
- Slot 5: Concealment System Modification 1
- Slot 6: See below.
Gunship builds pose a dilemma. Increasing rate of fire with Main Battery Modification 3 in Slot 6 practically demands Main Battery Modification 2 in Slot 3, due to the already quite slow turret traverse. When working in close, a slow turret can more than offset the increase in firepower. For PvE play, this is the build to take.
In contrast, Gun Fire Control System Modification 2 in Slot 6 changes the equation. Due to the increasing dispersion at range and lack of a turret traverse penalty, Aiming Systems Modification 1 is called for in Slot 3. This option stretches her range out to 18.4km, on par with Moskva and Hindenburg.
Des Moines also has access to a Unique Upgrade: Enhanced Propulsion Plant () for Slot 6, which decreases her rudder shift and halves the time taken to accelerate to full speed. With this upgrade and Propulsion Modification 1 , Des Moines can accelerate from 0-27kts in about 8 seconds — most useful when exploiting terrain or open water dodging, this is by far the best modification to take.
Anti-aircraft build
- Slot 1: Auxiliary Armaments Modification 1 to protect her AA armament.
- Slot 2: Defensive AA Fire Modification 1 – Special Upgrade
- Slot 3: AA Guns Modification 1 *
- Slot 5: Concealment System Modification 1 – 6.4km detection by air with all modifiers
- Slot 6: Auxiliary Armaments Modification 2
AA Guns Modification 1 for Slot 3 lowers the priority sector prep time (cooldown) from 10 seconds to 8 seconds, so another choice in this slot is justifiable.
Commander Skills
Consumables
Des Moines can equip the following consumables:
- Slot 1: Damage Control Party
- Slot 2: Defensive AA Fire or Hydroacoustic Search
- Slot 3: Surveillance Radar *
- Slot 4: Repair Party
For an Anti-aircraft build, take Defensive AA Fire. And for maximum effect, Catapult Fighter . For a short range gunship build, Spotting Aircraft can be useful, especially combined with Eye in the Sky. However, playing forward, the better alternative is Surveillance Radar For a long range gunship build, radar is less important and long-duration Hydroacoustic Search (with upgrade Hydroacoustic Search Modification 1 may be preferable, as might Catapult Fighter.
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
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★★★ |
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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
References
- USS Des Moines (CA-134) - Wikipedia
- Des Moines-class cruiser - Wikipedia
- Squall Line: Des Moines - News - World of Warships
- Armada - USS Des Moines - World of Warships Official Channel - YouTube