Iowa
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|Anno=<!-- you can write below short description for the ship. it will replace default once. --> | |Anno=<!-- you can write below short description for the ship. it will replace default once. --> | |||
? | One of the most powerful battleships of World War II. The ship was designed for escorting attack carrier forces. She surpassed the speed of all battleships in the world. The battleship's survivability was significantly improved owing to a novel and powerful torpedo protection system and a fundamentally different armor protection system featuring an internal armor belt. <br><br>All four ''Iowa''-class ships built are now preserved as military museum ships: [https://www.pacificbattleship.com/ USS ''Iowa''] in San Pedro, California; [https://www.ussmissouri.org/ USS ''Missouri''] in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii; [https://nauticus.org/battleship-wisconsin/ USS ''Wisconsin''] in Norfolk, Virginia; and [https://www.battleshipnewjersey.org/ USS ''New Jersey''] in Camden, New Jersey. | + | One of the most powerful battleships of World War II. The ship was designed for escorting attack carrier forces. She surpassed the speed of all battleships in the world. The battleship's survivability was significantly improved owing to a novel and powerful torpedo protection system and a fundamentally different armor protection system featuring an internal armor belt. <br><br>All four ''Iowa''-class ships built are now preserved as military museum ships: [https://www.pacificbattleship.com/ USS ''Iowa''] in San Pedro, California; [https://www.ussmissouri.org/ USS ''Missouri''] in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii; [https://nauticus.org/battleship-wisconsin/ USS ''Wisconsin''] in Norfolk, Virginia; and [https://www.battleshipnewjersey.org/ USS ''New Jersey''] in Camden, New Jersey.<br><br><br>{{Model3DViewer|94a4cecae6ce45879e1bad2756787548}} | |
|Performance=<!-- write text about performance in battles below --> | |Performance=<!-- write text about performance in battles below --> | |||
? | The historical counterpart of the famed battleship ''[[Yamato]]'', '' | + | The historical counterpart of the famed battleship ''[[Yamato]]'', Tier IX's ''{{#var:ship_name}}'' is the pinnacle of the various fast battleship designs the United States commissioned into service before and during World War II. | |
? | + | Veterans of ''[[North Carolina]]'' will be well-familiar with how ''Iowa'' plays, as both ships are laid out in an identical AB-X turret arrangement. The key differences are found in ''{{#var:ship_name}}''’s handling — she is faster, with a larger turning circle and slower rudder shift speed — slightly improved AA suite, and longer main battery rifles. ''{{#var:ship_name}}''’s barrels are 50 caliber (as opposed to ''North Carolina''’s 45 caliber) and the improvement in the velocity of her armor-piercing shells is notable. Her AP shells get on target faster, and new ''{{#var:ship_name}}'' captains should allow a few games to learn how to adjust leading their shots accordingly. Additionally, she gains access to {{Artillery Plotting Room Modification 2}}, which provides a significant reduction to her dispersion. | ||
? | '''[https://forum.worldofwarships.com/index.php?/topic/93832-ship-review-mouse-in-the-iowa/ LittleWhiteMouse's Ship Review: Iowa] from the NA Forums''' | + | Exposing her flat broadside to enemies is as inadvisable in as it is in most battleships. Even with her citadel model lowered to the ship's third deck at roughly waterline height in [[Ship:Update_0.6.6|Update 0.6.6]], the third deck plating can be overmatched by every battleship in her matchmaking spread. Consequently, ''{{#var:ship_name}}'' will still be dealt catastrophic damage, and quite consistently by those with good aim. Careful positioning and good situational awareness are still required at all times to ensure she isn't removed from the game in a single enemy salvo, and this vulnerability makes fighting at close ranges very tricky as her overall length is more of a liability than an asset. | |
+ | ||||
+ | Once mastered, however, ''{{#var:ship_name}}''’s capabilities are unmatched by just about any battleship in game. She combines speed, firepower, and survivability in a way that is unrivaled by any other ship in her tier and below. Her mobility allows her to get to where she is needed, her powerful super-heavy shells allow her to put good damage whatever she encounters there, and her armor allows her to tank punishment provided she don't expose her broadside or get blindsided by incoming torpedoes. | |||
+ | ||||
+ | {{AnnoWiki|content= | |||
+ | '''[https://forum.worldofwarships.com/index.php?/topic/93832-ship-review-mouse-in-the-iowa/ LittleWhiteMouse's Ship Review: Iowa] from the NA Forums'''}} | |||
|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. --> | |||
* Same gun range as her predecessor and highest range for a battleship at her tier. | * Same gun range as her predecessor and highest range for a battleship at her tier. | |||
* Better penetration and shell velocity compared to ''[[North Carolina]]'' due to the 50 caliber gun. | * Better penetration and shell velocity compared to ''[[North Carolina]]'' due to the 50 caliber gun. | |||
? | * Able to mount | + | * Able to mount {{Artillery Plotting Room Modification 2}} for better dispersion. | |
* Armor is more durable than predecessors. | * Armor is more durable than predecessors. | |||
* Incredible anti-aircraft suite makes her highly resistant to aerial assault. | * Incredible anti-aircraft suite makes her highly resistant to aerial assault. | |||
* Improved torpedo defense system with a torpedo damage reduction of 27% (compared to ''North Carolina''’s 19%). | * Improved torpedo defense system with a torpedo damage reduction of 27% (compared to ''North Carolina''’s 19%). | |||
? | * | + | * Top speed of a whopping 33 knots. | |
? | + | |||
|Cons=<!-- write list of negative points below. use * as in ordinary wiki-list. --> | |Cons=<!-- write list of negative points below. use * as in ordinary wiki-list. --> | |||
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* Bad rudder shift time (over 20 sec) until Hull (C). | * Bad rudder shift time (over 20 sec) until Hull (C). | |||
* Overall length combined with her turning circle takes some getting used to when trying to dodge torpedoes. | * Overall length combined with her turning circle takes some getting used to when trying to dodge torpedoes. | |||
+ | * While at waterline level, the citadel is very long and the roof can be overmatched by every battleship in her matchmaking spread. | |||
* Very tall superstructure makes her easier to hit, especially when trying to hide behind islands. | * Very tall superstructure makes her easier to hit, especially when trying to hide behind islands. | |||
? | * Weak secondary armament with a very low range compared to Tier IX counterparts ''[[Izumo]]'' | + | * Weak secondary armament with a very low range compared to Tier IX counterparts ''[[Izumo]]'', ''[[Friedrich der Große]]'', and ''[[Alsace]]''. | |
|Research=<!-- write text about priority sequence of research below --> | |Research=<!-- write text about priority sequence of research below --> | |||
? | Investing experience into Hull (B) is top priority; it brings additional hit points and a large bump to ''Iowa''’s anti-aircraft capabilities. The | + | Availability of researchable upgrades for ''{{#var:ship_name}}'' is as follows: | |
+ | * '''Hull:''' Upgrade to Hull (B) for an additional 10,000 hit points and an improvement to her mid- and short-range AA bubbles. Upgrade to Hull (C) for faster rudder shift and further enhancements to her AA suite. Research of Hull (C) unlocks progression to ''[[Montana]]''. | |||
+ | * '''Gun Fire Control System:''' Upgrade to Mk9 mod. 2 for an extra 10% range on the main battery. | |||
+ | * '''Propulsion:''' The propulsion upgrade bumps ''{{#var:ship_name}}''’s speed from 28.8 knots to her historical maximum of 33 knots. | |||
+ | ||||
+ | Investing experience into Hull (B) is top priority; it brings additional hit points and a large bump to ''Iowa''’s anti-aircraft capabilities. The Propulsion module upgrade should come next, followed by Hull (C), with the Fire Control System upgrade saved for last. | |||
|OptimalConfiguration=<!-- write some general text about selection of optimal configuration below (optional)--> | |OptimalConfiguration=<!-- write some general text about selection of optimal configuration below (optional)--> | |||
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|Upgrades=<!-- write text about best upgrades below --> | |Upgrades=<!-- write text about best upgrades below --> | |||
The recommended upgrades for ''{{#var:ship_name}}'' are as follows: | The recommended upgrades for ''{{#var:ship_name}}'' are as follows: | |||
? | * '''Slot 1''' | + | * '''Slot 1:''' This slot is most commonly filled with {{Main Armaments Modification 1}}, though {{Auxiliary Armaments Modification 1}} is a popular pick for captains who go for a full AA build with other upgrades and commander skills. | |
? | * '''Slot 2''' | + | * '''Slot 2:''' There's really only one choice here for battleships - {{Damage Control System Modification 1}}. This will reduce chances of fire and flood. | |
? | * '''Slot 3''' | + | * '''Slot 3:''' There are a few options available. {{AA Guns Modification 1}} will boost her AA strength, while {{Secondary Battery Modification 2}} will boost the range and accuracy of secondaries instead. {{Artillery Plotting Room Modification 1}} will increase range and give secondaries a slight boost in range and accuracy, but is likely a weaker choice than the other two. | |
? | * '''Slot 4''' | + | * '''Slot 4:''' {{Steering Gears Modification 2}} is recommended and will reduce rudder shift time. Captains with fire problems could also consider {{Damage Control System Modification 2}}, reducing the amount of time on fire and conserving hit points. | |
? | * '''Slot 5''' | + | * '''Slot 5:''' Maximizing stealth is never a bad choice. With the [[Ship:Commander#Concealment Expert|Concealment Expert]] commander skill, {{Concealment System Modification 1}}, and appropriate camouflage, this ship can choose when to engage the enemy. | |
? | * '''Slot 6 | + | * '''Slot 6:''' The recommended choice is {{Artillery Plotting Room Modification 2}} to give the main battery better accuracy; installing this upgrade will make her guns exceptionally accurate at ranges of ~12-13 kilometers, much more so than contemporaries. {{Main Battery Modification 3}} will improve damage-per-minute, and may surprise a cruiser who still expects the battleship to be reloading. | |
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|CommanderSkills=<!-- write text about best set of Commander Skills below --> | |CommanderSkills=<!-- write text about best set of Commander Skills below --> | |||
? | {{Commander Skills | + | {{Commander Skills 2 | |
? | | | + | <!-- This version enables a '0' rating. Use it for skills that have no effect (e.g. Improved Engines on a non-CV) or are detrimental to the ship. They should mirror what appears in the game client. --> | |
? | | | + | | rating11 = 2 <!-- Priority Target --> | |
? | | | + | | rating12 = 1 <!-- Preventive Maint --> | |
? | | | + | | rating13 = 1 <!-- Expert Loader --> | |
? | | Direction Center for | + | | rating14 = 0 <!-- Air Supremacy --> | |
? | | | + | | rating15 = 2 <!-- Direction Center for Fighters --> | |
? | | Incoming Fire Alert | + | | rating16 = 0 <!-- Improved Engine Boost --> | |
? | | | + | | rating17 = 1 <!-- Incoming Fire Alert --> | |
+ | | rating18 = 0 <!-- Last Gasp --> | |||
? | | | + | | rating21 = 2 <!-- High Alert --> | |
? | | Jack of All Trades | + | | rating22 = 1 <!-- Jack of All Trades --> | |
? | | Expert Marksman | + | | rating23 = 3 <!-- Expert Marksman --> | |
? | | Torpedo Acceleration | + | | rating24 = 0 <!-- Torpedo Acceleration --> | |
? | | Smoke Screen Expert | + | | rating25 = 0 <!-- Smoke Screen Expert --> | |
? | | | + | | rating26 = 0 <!-- Improved Engines --> | |
? | | Adrenaline Rush | + | | rating27 = 2 <!-- Adrenaline Rush --> | |
? | | Last Stand | + | | rating28 = <!-- Last Stand --> | |
? | | | + | | rating31 = 2 <!-- Basics of Survivability --> | |
? | + | | rating32 = <!-- Survivability Expert--> | ||
? | | Torpedo Armament Expertise | + | | rating33 = <!-- Torpedo Armament Expertise--> | |
? | | | + | | rating34 = 0 <!-- Aircraft Armor --> | |
? | | Basic Firing Training | + | | rating35 = 3 <!-- Basic Firing Training --> | |
? | | | + | | rating36 = 3 <!-- Superintendent --> | |
? | | | + | | rating37 = 1 <!-- Demolition Expert --> | |
? | | | + | | rating38 = 1 <!-- Vigilance --> | |
? | | Manual Fire Control for Secondary Armament | + | | rating41 = <!-- Manual Fire Control for Secondary Armament --> | |
? | | Fire Prevention | + | | rating42 = 2 <!-- Fire Prevention --> | |
? | | Inertia Fuse for HE Shells | + | | rating43 = <!-- Inertia Fuse for HE Shells --> | |
? | | | + | | rating44 = 0 <!-- Sight Stabilization --> | |
? | | Advanced Firing Training | + | | rating45 = 3 <!-- Advanced Firing Training --> | |
? | | | + | | rating46 = <!-- Massive AA Fire --> | |
? | | Radio Position Finding | + | | rating47 = <!-- Radio Position Finding --> | |
? | | Concealment Expert | + | | rating48 = 3 <!-- Concealment Expert --> | |
}} | }} | |||
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* '''Slot 3:''' {{Spotting Aircraft}} '''or''' {{Catapult Fighter}} | * '''Slot 3:''' {{Spotting Aircraft}} '''or''' {{Catapult Fighter}} | |||
? | Even captains which do not opt for a maximum survivability | + | Even captains which do not opt for a maximum survivability build are encouraged to spend credits (or doubloons) on {{Repair Party II}} and {{Damage Control Party II}} for the shorter cooldown times of each. | |
|Camouflage=<!-- write text about useful camouflage below --> | |Camouflage=<!-- write text about useful camouflage below --> | |||
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|Signals=<!-- write text about best set of signals below --> | |Signals=<!-- write text about best set of signals below --> | |||
? | ''Iowa''’s signal loadout should focus on two objectives: maximizing her experience earnings and maximizing her survivability. Equal Speed Charlie London ({{Equal Speed Charlie London|Size=18px}}), Hydra ({{Hydra|Size=18px}}), and Red Dragon ({{Red Dragon|Size=18px}}) will help with the former, while India Delta ({{India Delta|Size=18px}}), India Yankee ({{India Yankee|Size=18px}}), and Juliet Yankee Bissotwo ({{Juliet Yankee Bissotwo|Size=18px}}) will help with the latter. Sierra Mike ({{Sierra Mike|Size=18px}}) is worthy of consideration for captains who enjoy flexing '' | + | ''Iowa''’s signal loadout should focus on two objectives: maximizing her experience earnings and maximizing her survivability. Equal Speed Charlie London ({{Equal Speed Charlie London|Size=18px}}), Hydra ({{Hydra|Size=18px}}), and Red Dragon ({{Red Dragon|Size=18px}}) will help with the former, while India Delta ({{India Delta|Size=18px}}), India Yankee ({{India Yankee|Size=18px}}), and Juliet Yankee Bissotwo ({{Juliet Yankee Bissotwo|Size=18px}}) will help with the latter. Sierra Mike ({{Sierra Mike|Size=18px}}) is worthy of consideration for captains who enjoy flexing ''Iowa''’s speed, while November Foxtrot ({{November Foxtrot|Size=18px}}) and November Echo Setteseven ({{November Echo Setteseven|Size=18px}}) will help reduce her consumable cooldowns and further enhance her AA suite. | |
{{Signal Flags | {{Signal Flags | |||
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---- | ---- | |||
====Armor==== | ====Armor==== | |||
? | :Main belt: 307mm | + | :Main belt: 307mm, 38mm outer hull plate | |
? | : | + | :Lower belt: 307-41mm | |
+ | :Deck: 38mm weather deck, 152mm main armor deck | |||
:Bulkheads: 287mm | :Bulkheads: 287mm | |||
:Barbettes and Turrets: 439mm barbette, 432mm turrets | :Barbettes and Turrets: 439mm barbette, 432mm turrets | |||
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The main armament of the ''Iowa'' class — while using rifles of the same diameter of 406mm as preceding ships — were longer than the rifles on the ''South Dakota''-class (increased from 45 calibers to 50 calibers) and therefore have the distinction of being the largest rifles mounted on any US warship to date. This increase in rifle length resulted in greater distance for expanding gases in the chamber to propel the projectile, which equated to higher muzzle velocity, greater range, and greater armor-penetration capabilities than preceding rifles. Furthermore, the ''Iowa''-class had a comprehensive suite of secondary and anti-aircraft guns due to the design emphasis of increased protection against air attacks; the armament systems were supplemented with state-of-the-art radar-based fire control systems (''Iowa'' had Mark 8 Fire Control Radar sets fixed upon Mark 38 Fire directors). | The main armament of the ''Iowa'' class — while using rifles of the same diameter of 406mm as preceding ships — were longer than the rifles on the ''South Dakota''-class (increased from 45 calibers to 50 calibers) and therefore have the distinction of being the largest rifles mounted on any US warship to date. This increase in rifle length resulted in greater distance for expanding gases in the chamber to propel the projectile, which equated to higher muzzle velocity, greater range, and greater armor-penetration capabilities than preceding rifles. Furthermore, the ''Iowa''-class had a comprehensive suite of secondary and anti-aircraft guns due to the design emphasis of increased protection against air attacks; the armament systems were supplemented with state-of-the-art radar-based fire control systems (''Iowa'' had Mark 8 Fire Control Radar sets fixed upon Mark 38 Fire directors). | |||
? | The ''Iowa''-class battleships had the characteristic “all-or-nothing” armor scheme seen in preceding American battleships, with the thickest armor around the citadel between Turrets A and Turret C. The side armor of 307mm was angled at 19-degrees inwards in order to confer greater armor thickness for | + | The ''Iowa''-class battleships had the characteristic “all-or-nothing” armor scheme seen in preceding American battleships, with the thickest armor around the citadel between Turrets A and Turret C. The outer hull plate was 38mm Special Treatment Steel (STS) and the side armor of 307mm was angled at 19-degrees inwards in order to confer greater armor thickness for little additional weight; this was especially advantageous against shells at longer range. The weather deck was 38mm STS, the main armor deck was 152mm STS/Class B, and the splinter deck was 25mm over the magazines and 16mm over machinery spaces. The hull has a triple bottom under the citadel to protect against underbottom explosions. The armor scheme of the ''Iowa''-class was largely the same as the preceding ''South Dakota''-class, which offered protection from 406mm/45 rifles firing 1,016 kg Mark 5 shells from ranges between 16,000 - 27,000 meters. | |
From the onset, ''Iowa'' was designed to fulfill the role of a fleet flagship; therefore, the conning tower was more enlarged than those of her sisters, to accommodate an admiral on board. ''Iowa'' was, therefore, the ideal choice when selecting which ship should ferry President Franklin D. Roosevelt to the Tehran Conference of 1943. | From the onset, ''Iowa'' was designed to fulfill the role of a fleet flagship; therefore, the conning tower was more enlarged than those of her sisters, to accommodate an admiral on board. ''Iowa'' was, therefore, the ideal choice when selecting which ship should ferry President Franklin D. Roosevelt to the Tehran Conference of 1943. | |||
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===Historical Inaccuracies=== | ===Historical Inaccuracies=== | |||
* The Measure 32/22D permanent camouflage was worn by ''Missouri''. ''Iowa'''s camouflage was Measure 32/1B. | * The Measure 32/22D permanent camouflage was worn by ''Missouri''. ''Iowa'''s camouflage was Measure 32/1B. | |||
+ | * Measure 22 camouflage is also missing. ''Iowa'' wore this scheme in 1943 and 1945. Only ''Missouri'' has it. | |||
* Three 20 mm Oerlikon cannons fitted to 'B' turret are missing. | * Three 20 mm Oerlikon cannons fitted to 'B' turret are missing. | |||
+ | * The outer hull strake abreast of the main armor belt should be 38mm rather than the in-game 25mm. Interestingly, ''Missouri'' in-game has the proper thickness. | |||
|HistoricalGallery=<!-- write below list of files without tags. description (if necessary) for each should be separated with | --><gallery> | |HistoricalGallery=<!-- write below list of files without tags. description (if necessary) for each should be separated with | --><gallery> | |||
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|Video=<!-- put below video clips with using template VideoYT. You can use html-tags for formatting. --> | |Video=<!-- put below video clips with using template VideoYT. You can use html-tags for formatting. --> | |||
? | + | {{VideoYT|HQpa4jKS2C0}} | ||
|Ref= <!-- write below --> | |Ref= <!-- write below --> | |||
}}<!-- DO NOT DELETE THIS LINE. DO NOT INSERT ANYTHING BELOW THIS LINE --> | }}<!-- DO NOT DELETE THIS LINE. DO NOT INSERT ANYTHING BELOW THIS LINE --> |
Revision as of 19:06, 3 October 2019
406 mm/50 Mk.7 in a turret3 х 3 pcs. |
Rate of Fire2 shots/min. |
Reload Time30 sec. |
Rotation Speed4 deg./sec. |
180 Degree Turn Time45 sec. |
Firing Range21.23 km. |
Maximum Dispersion272 m. |
HE Shell406 mm HE/HC Mk13 |
Maximum HE Shell Damage5,700 |
Chance of Fire on Target Caused by HE Shell36 % |
Initial HE Shell Velocity820 m./s. |
HE Shell Weight862 kg. |
AP Shell406 mm AP Mk8 |
Maximum AP Shell Damage13,500 |
Initial AP Shell Velocity762 m./s. |
AP Shell Weight1225 kg. |
127 mm/38 Mk.12 on a Mk.32 mount10 х 2 pcs. |
Firing Range6.95 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 mount10 х 2 pcs. |
. . . Average Damage per Second151 |
. . . Firing Range5.01 km. |
40 mm/56 Bofors on a Mk.1 mount19 х 2 pcs. |
. . . Average Damage per Second214.7 |
. . . Firing Range3.51 km. |
20 mm Oerlikon on a Mk.4 mount32 х 1 pcs. |
. . . Average Damage per Second115.2 |
. . . Firing Range2.01 km. |
Maximum Speed28.78 knot |
Turning Circle Radius920 m. |
Rudder Shift Time22.5 sec. |
Surface Detectability Range15.71 km. |
Air Detectability Range11.4 km. |
Iowa — American Tier IX battleship.
One of the most powerful battleships of World War II. The ship was designed for escorting attack carrier forces. She surpassed the speed of all battleships in the world. The battleship's survivability was significantly improved owing to a novel and powerful torpedo protection system and a fundamentally different armor protection system featuring an internal armor belt.
All four Iowa-class ships built are now preserved as military museum ships: USS Iowa in San Pedro, California; USS Missouri in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii; USS Wisconsin in Norfolk, Virginia; and USS New Jersey in Camden, New Jersey.
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
The historical counterpart of the famed battleship Yamato, Tier IX's Iowa is the pinnacle of the various fast battleship designs the United States commissioned into service before and during World War II.
Veterans of North Carolina will be well-familiar with how Iowa plays, as both ships are laid out in an identical AB-X turret arrangement. The key differences are found in Iowa’s handling — she is faster, with a larger turning circle and slower rudder shift speed — slightly improved AA suite, and longer main battery rifles. Iowa’s barrels are 50 caliber (as opposed to North Carolina’s 45 caliber) and the improvement in the velocity of her armor-piercing shells is notable. Her AP shells get on target faster, and new Iowa captains should allow a few games to learn how to adjust leading their shots accordingly. Additionally, she gains access to Artillery Plotting Room Modification 2 , which provides a significant reduction to her dispersion.
Exposing her flat broadside to enemies is as inadvisable in as it is in most battleships. Even with her citadel model lowered to the ship's third deck at roughly waterline height in Update 0.6.6, the third deck plating can be overmatched by every battleship in her matchmaking spread. Consequently, Iowa will still be dealt catastrophic damage, and quite consistently by those with good aim. Careful positioning and good situational awareness are still required at all times to ensure she isn't removed from the game in a single enemy salvo, and this vulnerability makes fighting at close ranges very tricky as her overall length is more of a liability than an asset.
Once mastered, however, Iowa’s capabilities are unmatched by just about any battleship in game. She combines speed, firepower, and survivability in a way that is unrivaled by any other ship in her tier and below. Her mobility allows her to get to where she is needed, her powerful super-heavy shells allow her to put good damage whatever she encounters there, and her armor allows her to tank punishment provided she don't expose her broadside or get blindsided by incoming torpedoes.
Pros:
- Same gun range as her predecessor and highest range for a battleship at her tier.
- Better penetration and shell velocity compared to North Carolina due to the 50 caliber gun.
- Able to mount Artillery Plotting Room Modification 2 for better dispersion.
- Armor is more durable than predecessors.
- Incredible anti-aircraft suite makes her highly resistant to aerial assault.
- Improved torpedo defense system with a torpedo damage reduction of 27% (compared to North Carolina’s 19%).
- Top speed of a whopping 33 knots.
Cons:
- Weaker broadside armor than standard battleships, but still stronger broadside armor than North Carolina.
- Bad rudder shift time (over 20 sec) until Hull (C).
- Overall length combined with her turning circle takes some getting used to when trying to dodge torpedoes.
- While at waterline level, the citadel is very long and the roof can be overmatched by every battleship in her matchmaking spread.
- Very tall superstructure makes her easier to hit, especially when trying to hide behind islands.
- Weak secondary armament with a very low range compared to Tier IX counterparts Izumo, Friedrich der Große, and Alsace.
Research
Availability of researchable upgrades for Iowa is as follows:
- Hull: Upgrade to Hull (B) for an additional 10,000 hit points and an improvement to her mid- and short-range AA bubbles. Upgrade to Hull (C) for faster rudder shift and further enhancements to her AA suite. Research of Hull (C) unlocks progression to Montana.
- Gun Fire Control System: Upgrade to Mk9 mod. 2 for an extra 10% range on the main battery.
- Propulsion: The propulsion upgrade bumps Iowa’s speed from 28.8 knots to her historical maximum of 33 knots.
Optimal Configuration
Upgrades
The recommended upgrades for Iowa are as follows:
- Slot 1: This slot is most commonly filled with Main Armaments Modification 1 , though Auxiliary Armaments Modification 1 is a popular pick for captains who go for a full AA build with other upgrades and commander skills.
- Slot 2: There's really only one choice here for battleships - Damage Control System Modification 1 . This will reduce chances of fire and flood.
- Slot 3: There are a few options available. AA Guns Modification 1 will boost her AA strength, while Secondary Battery Modification 1 () will boost the range and accuracy of secondaries instead. Artillery Plotting Room Modification 1 will increase range and give secondaries a slight boost in range and accuracy, but is likely a weaker choice than the other two.
- Slot 4: Steering Gears Modification 2 is recommended and will reduce rudder shift time. Captains with fire problems could also consider Damage Control System Modification 2 , reducing the amount of time on fire and conserving hit points.
- Slot 5: Maximizing stealth is never a bad choice. With the Concealment Expert commander skill, Concealment System Modification 1 , and appropriate camouflage, this ship can choose when to engage the enemy.
- Slot 6: The recommended choice is Artillery Plotting Room Modification 2 to give the main battery better accuracy; installing this upgrade will make her guns exceptionally accurate at ranges of ~12-13 kilometers, much more so than contemporaries. Main Battery Modification 3 will improve damage-per-minute, and may surprise a cruiser who still expects the battleship to be reloading.
Commander Skills
Recommended Commander Skills | ||||||||
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Cost (points) |
Endurance | Attack | Support | Versatility | ||||
1 |
★★ |
★ |
★ |
Χ |
★★ |
Χ |
★ |
Χ |
2 |
★★ |
★ |
★★★ |
Χ |
Χ |
Χ |
★★ |
|
3 |
★★ |
|
|
Χ |
★★★ |
★★★ |
★ |
★ |
4 |
|
★★ |
|
Χ |
★★★ |
|
|
★★★ |
Key: ★★★ - Extremely Useful ★★ - Frequently Useful ★ - Occasionally Useful No stars - Meh Χ - Not recommended |
Consumables
Iowa can equip the following consumables:
- Slot 1: Damage Control Party
- Slot 2: Repair Party
- Slot 3: Spotting Aircraft or Catapult Fighter
Even captains which do not opt for a maximum survivability build are encouraged to spend credits (or doubloons) on Repair Party II () and Damage Control Party II () for the shorter cooldown times of each.
Camouflage
Type 1, 2, or 5 camouflage can be equipped for credits; Types 2 or 5 are recommended at a minimum to reduce the accuracy of incoming shells.
Players who wish to spend doubloons can equip Iowa with Type 19 camouflage that lowers her detection radius, reduces the accuracy of incoming shells, reduces her repair costs, and increases the amount of experience she earns.
Signals
Iowa’s signal loadout should focus on two objectives: maximizing her experience earnings and maximizing her survivability. Equal Speed Charlie London (🚫), Hydra (🚫), and Red Dragon (🚫) will help with the former, while India Delta (), India Yankee (), and Juliet Yankee Bissotwo () will help with the latter. Sierra Mike () is worthy of consideration for captains who enjoy flexing Iowa’s speed, while November Foxtrot () and November Echo Setteseven () will help reduce her consumable cooldowns and further enhance her AA suite.
Recommended Signal Flags | |||||
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Combat | |||||
★ |
★★ |
★★★ |
★ |
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★ |
★★ |
★★ |
★★ |
★★★ |
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Note: Use of the Juliet Charlie signal makes detonation impossible.
Gallery
Historical Info
Historical Gallery
Video