Kuma
140 mm/50 3rd Year Type on a single mount7 х 1 pcs. |
Rate of Fire10 shots/min. |
Reload Time6 sec. |
Rotation Speed8.5 deg./sec. |
180 Degree Turn Time21.18 sec. |
Firing Range11.67 km. |
Maximum Dispersion113 m. |
HE Shell140 mm HE Type0 |
Maximum HE Shell Damage2,400 |
Chance of Fire on Target Caused by HE Shell10 % |
Initial HE Shell Velocity850 m./s. |
HE Shell Weight38 kg. |
AP Shell140 mm Capped Common Shell |
Maximum AP Shell Damage2,700 |
Initial AP Shell Velocity850 m./s. |
AP Shell Weight38 kg. |
533 mm Twin4 х 2 pcs. |
Rate of Fire1.43 shots/min. |
Reload Time42 sec. |
Rotation Speed25 deg./sec. |
180 Degree Turn Time7.2 sec. |
Torpedo533 mm Type6 |
Maximum Damage10,833 |
Torpedo Speed57 knot |
Torpedo Range6.99 km. |
6.5 mm/115 3rd Year Type on a single mount2 х 1 pcs. |
. . . Average Damage per Second2.4 |
. . . Firing Range0.99 km. |
76 mm /40 3rd Year Type on a single mount2 х 1 pcs. |
. . . Average Damage per Second3.2 |
. . . Firing Range3 km. |
Maximum Speed34.5 knot |
Turning Circle Radius640 m. |
Rudder Shift Time6.9 sec. |
Surface Detectability Range11 km. |
Air Detectability Range5.23 km. |
Kuma — Japanese Tier IV cruiser.
A multipurpose light cruiser that could serve as a scout and a destroyer leader. Compared with the preceding class, Kuma had a greater displacement, reinforced weaponry and increased speed. She retained a weak AA defense that was typical of earlier-period Japanese cruisers.
Modules
Rate of Fire (shots/min) | Torpedo Tubes Reload Time (sec) | 180° Turn Time (sec) | Maximum Damage (HP) | Torpedo Speed (knot) | Torpedo Range (km) |
Research price (exp) |
Purchase price () | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Type 6 | 1.4 | 42 | 7.2 | 10,833 | 57 | 7 | 0 | 200,000 |
Compatible Upgrades
Slot 1 |
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Slot 2 |
Player Opinion
Performance
Kuma is an improvement of the previous Tenryu. Kuma inherits the same rapid fire 140 mm guns of its predecessor in greater number. With more guns she is able to deliver a greater volume of fire making the ship better at surface combat. A pair of double torpedo launchers on each side allows Kuma to deliver 4 torpedoes per broadside. These torpedoes have an excellent range of 7 km and solid damage.
However, Kuma suffers from several weaknesses. First of all, the citadel of the ship sits high above the water line and is easily penetrated by the AP shells of most of her opponents. Moreover, the engine and steering modules are easy to disable. Finally, Kuma has extremely weak AA defense and will have trouble effectively shooting down planes. The addition of the catapult fighter with the B hull upgrade provides a minor improvement.
Kuma is a fun ship to play. The high rate of fire and strong torpedo armament provides the player the tools to inflict substantial damage to ships of any type. Players should be wary about protecting the sides of the ship from enemy fire to avoid citadel penetrations. This is especially true when facing battleships as the AP rounds from any battleship that Kuma will face have a high probability of hitting the citadel, and although giving them a broadside may make them over-penetrate, doing that would expose the citadel to cruiser AP rounds. The torpedo tubes are also poorly protected and may be disabled by enemy fire.Pros:
- Good guns with a fair range and fast reload.
- Powerful torpedoes with 7 km range.
- Maneuverable for her size.
- Low slung profile makes her hard to hit.
- She is equipped with a catapult fighter (B Hull).
- Deadly to enemy destroyers.
Cons:
- Armor that can absorb practically nothing.
- Has to show quite a lot of her broadside to get her rear guns into action.
- Loses torpedo firing systems easily.
- Rudder is made of paper.
- Catches fire with ease and shares the large citadel of Tenryu.
- AA is all bark and no bite.
- No secondaries.
Research
Availability of researchable upgrades for Kuma is as follows:
- Hull: Upgrade to Hull (B) for an improved rudder shift time, additional hit points, additional anti-aircraft guns, and access to the Catapult Fighter consumable. Research of this module unlocks progression to Furutaka.
- Gun Fire Control System: Upgrade to Type 4 Mod. 2 for an extra 10% range on the main battery.
Optimal Configuration
Upgrades
- Slot 1: Main Armaments Modification 1 keeps the guns and torpedo tubes active and firing.
- Slot 1: Engine Room Protection because the damage control option has small effects.
Commander Skills
Key skills for Kuma commanders include Last Stand at Level 1, Priority Target at Level 2, Adrenaline Rush at Level 3, and Concealment Expert at Level 4. Her fire rate is sufficiently high that Pyrotechnician is worth considering for an additional Level 2 skill.
Recommended Commander Skills | ||||||
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Cost (points) |
Attack | Defense | ||||
1 |
★★ |
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|
|
★★ |
2 |
★★ |
★ |
|
|
★★ |
★ |
3 |
|
★ |
★★★ |
|
★★ |
★ |
4 |
|
★ |
★ |
|
★★★ |
|
Key: ★★★ - Extremely Useful ★★ - Frequently Useful ★ - Occasionally Useful No stars - Not Useful |
Consumables
Kuma can equip the following consumables:
- Slot 1: Damage Control Party
- Slot 2: Hydroacoustic Search
- Slot 3: Catapult Fighter [Hull B only]
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
Kuma captains should mount the standard flags to improve the ship's performance in battle. To improve upon the ship's armaments, India X-Ray (), Victor Lima (), and Juliet Whiskey Unaone () flags are recommended to increase the fire chance and flooding chances respectively. To improve the ship’s survivability, captains should mount November Foxtrot () and India Yankee () flags. Sierra Mike () flags are recommended to increase the ship’s already high top speed. Lastly, economic and special signal flags can be mounted to improve the ship’s economic gains per battle.
Recommended Signal Flags | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Combat | |||||
★★ |
|
★★ |
★ |
★★★ |
★★ |
★ |
|
★★ |
★★★ |
★★★ |
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Note: Use of the Juliet Charlie signal makes detonation impossible.