Minekaze

13.3

Minekaze

Destroyer | Japan | Tier V

Tech Tree Position

stock

 top

General

Research price11500 exp

Purchase price1,380,000

Hit Points9,600

Main Battery

120 mm/45 3rd Year Type on a Model G mount4 х 1 pcs.

Rate of Fire5.5 shots/min.

Reload Time10.9 sec.

Rotation Speed6 deg./sec.

180 Degree Turn Time30 sec.

Firing Range8.11 km.

Maximum Dispersion81 m.

HE Shell120 mm HE Type1

Maximum HE Shell Damage1,700

Chance of Fire on Target Caused by HE Shell7 %

Initial HE Shell Velocity825 m./s.

HE Shell Weight20.3 kg.

AP Shell120 mm AP Type0

Maximum AP Shell Damage2,000

Initial AP Shell Velocity825 m./s.

AP Shell Weight20.3 kg.

Torpedo Tubes

533 mm Twin3 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.

AA Defense

7.7 mm/80 Type 92 on a single mount2 х 1 pcs.

. . . Average Damage per Second3.2

. . . Firing Range0.99 km.

Maneuverability

Maximum Speed39 knot

Turning Circle Radius550 m.

Rudder Shift Time3.2 sec.

Concealment

Surface Detectability Range6.01 km.

Air Detectability Range2.5 km.

Battle Levels

12345678910

13.3

Minekaze

Destroyer | Japan | Tier V

Tech Tree Position

stock

 top

General

Research price11500 exp

Purchase price1,380,000

Hit Points10,900

Main Battery

120 mm/45 3rd Year Type on a Model G mount4 х 1 pcs.

Rate of Fire6 shots/min.

Reload Time10 sec.

Rotation Speed6 deg./sec.

180 Degree Turn Time30 sec.

Firing Range8.92 km.

Maximum Dispersion81 m.

HE Shell120 mm HE Type1

Maximum HE Shell Damage1,700

Chance of Fire on Target Caused by HE Shell7 %

Initial HE Shell Velocity825 m./s.

HE Shell Weight20.3 kg.

AP Shell120 mm AP Type0

Maximum AP Shell Damage2,000

Initial AP Shell Velocity825 m./s.

AP Shell Weight20.3 kg.

Torpedo Tubes

533 mm Twin3 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.

AA Defense

13 mm/76 Type 93 on a single mount2 х 1 pcs.

. . . Average Damage per Second2.8

. . . Firing Range1.2 km.

25 mm/60 Type 96 on a twin mount1 х 2 pcs.

. . . Average Damage per Second2.7

. . . Firing Range2.49 km.

13 mm/76 Type 93 on a twin mount1 х 2 pcs.

. . . Average Damage per Second2

. . . Firing Range1.2 km.

Maneuverability

Maximum Speed39 knot

Turning Circle Radius550 m.

Rudder Shift Time2.1 sec.

Concealment

Surface Detectability Range6.01 km.

Air Detectability Range2.5 km.

Battle Levels

12345678910

V

1,380,000

Minekaze — Japanese Tier V destroyer.

A ship that had a remarkable influence on the development of destroyers in the Imperial Japanese Navy. Owing to her powerful turbines, Minekaze could produce very high speeds that were superior to many of the destroyers built later.

Modules

	Rate of Fire (shots/min)	180° Turn Time (sec)	Maximum Dispersion (m)	Maximum HE Shell Damage (HP)	Chance of Fire on Target Caused by HE Shell (%)	Maximum AP Shell Damage (HP)		Research price (exp)	Purchase price ()
120 mm/45 3rd Year Type on a Model G mount	5.5	30	81	1,700	7	2,000		0	105,000
120 mm/45 3rd Year Type on a Model G mount	6	30	81	1,700	7	2,000		2,300	210,000

	Hit Points (HP)	Armor (mm)	Armor (mm)	Main Turrets (pcs.)	Secondary Gun Turrets (pcs.)	AA Mounts (pcs.)	Torpedo Tubes (pcs.)	Hangar Capacity (pcs.)		Research price (exp)	Purchase price ()
Minekaze (A)	9,600	6	18	4		2	3			0	110,000
Minekaze (B)	10,900	6	18	4		1/1	3			3,300	300,000

	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

	IDS_SHIP_PARAM_SUO_INCREASE_DIST (%)	Maximum Firing Range (km)		Research price (exp)	Purchase price ()
Type5 mod. 1		0		0	70,000
Type5 mod. 2		0		1,600	155,000

	Maximum Speed (knot)		Research price (exp)	Purchase price ()
Propulsion: 38,500 hp	39		0	105,000

Compatible Upgrades

Slot 1
Slot 2
Slot 3

Player Opinion

Performance

Sometimes called "Ninjakaze" due to her ability to suddenly appear out of nowhere — an appearance that is frequently the harbinger of an incoming torpedo strike — Minekaze is a ship nearly 100% reliant on those torpedoes for damage.

She is arguably the weakest of the Japanese destroyers, with a low health pool, fragile modules, weak armor, and a very sub-par main battery. Her guns have an abysmal turn rate of 25 seconds for 180 degrees, and a very long reload time of 10 seconds. Though it is possible to do good damage with her high explosive shells, she will not be winning very many gun duels, especially not against the likes of Nicholas or Gnevny. Minekaze’s guns should not be forgotten, but they shouldn't be relied on as the main source of damage and are best used sparingly in specific situations.

Minekaze lives and dies by her torpedoes. They are her main weapon, capable of striking outside of her detection range. A skilled Minekaze player is able to sink enemy ships and never be spotted through the course of an entire match. Her three twin-tube launchers allow her to cover a lot of ocean with her torpedo spreads, and she reloads those tubes very quickly at 42 seconds each. Players looking to master the art of torpedoing enemies without being detected should start their training here; there is no better teacher than experience, and Minekaze’s torpedoes reload quickly enough to provide plenty of that.

With patience and practice, the approximately 1km gap between maximum torpedo range and detection range can be maximized to devastate entire groups of unaware battleships and cruisers. It also allows captains to stalk a solo battleship or carrier, then flex Minkeaze’s speed to drive straight at them to deliver a full broadside of torpedoes at point blank range. She is best off avoiding other enemy destroyers completely and breaking unfavorable gunnery engagements quickly; the ability to launch fast moving torpedoes from stealth is Minekaze’s greatest asset, and a gunfight with anything that isn't another equal- or lower-tier Japanese destroyer is likely a losing battle.

Pros:

• Powerful torpedoes that pack a punch. A full salvo can destroy most enemy ships.
• Approximately 1.0 km window from which ships are in torpedo range without Minekaze being spotted.
• Rudder shift time is almost nonexistent.
• Excellent torpedo reload time at 42 seconds.
• Easy to spread out torpedoes with three (3) twin-tube configuration.
• Very fast at 39 knots, reaching just over 42 knots with Engine Boost consumable used; she is faster and more maneuverable than most destroyers up to Tier VI.

Cons:

• Exceedingly fragile, like most destroyers.
• Easily damaged torpedo and main gun modules.
• Engines and rudder taken out easily (can be taken out by even a missed shot).
• Weak anti-aircraft suite that is almost all for show and will not deter enemy carrier captains from targeting her.
• Guns have very slow rotation speed, reload, and are inferior to both her Russian and American counterparts.

Research

Players should research Hull (B) first, as it provides a small increase to her health and maneuverability. Whether or not to research the remaining upgrades is up to the individual player, as Minekaze will not get a tremendous amount of use out of her guns and the experience may be better spent working up to Hatsuharu.

Optimal Configuration

Upgrades

Upgrade choices for Minekaze almost make themselves: Main Armaments Modification 1 in Upgrade Slot 1, Aiming Systems Modification 1 in Upgrade Slot 2, and Propulsion Modification 1 in Upgrade Slot 4.

Commander Skills

Recommended Commander Skills
Cost (points)	Endurance		Attack		Support		Versatility
1	Priority Target Situational Awareness indicator will show the number of opponents currently aiming at you with main battery guns.	Preventative Maintenance -30% to the risk of incapacitation of main turrets, torpedo tubes, steering gear, engines. ★	Expert Loader -50% to reload time when shell type is switched.	Air Supremacy -5% aircraft restoration time.	Direction Center for Fighters +1 fighter to carrier fighter squadrons or catapult fighters.	Improved Engine Boost +10% Aircraft engine boost time.	Incoming Fire Alert Indicator of long-range enemy artillery fire.	Last Gasp Completely restores the engine boost for the last attack flight of the carrier's planes.
2	High Alert -10% to reload time of Damage Control Party consumable. ★★	Jack of All Trades -5% to reload time of all consumables. ★★	Expert Marksman +2.5 deg/sec to traverse speed of guns with a caliber up to 139mm. +0.7 deg/sec to traverse speed of guns with a caliber above 139mm. ★★	Torpedo Acceleration +5 knots to torpedo speed. -20% to torpedo range.	Smoke Screen Expert +20% to the radius of the smoke screen.	Improved Engines +2.5% Squadron speed.	Adrenaline Rush -0.2% to reload times of all types of armament for each 1% of total health lost. +0.2% squadron speed for each 1% of total health lost.	Last Stand The ship remains able to move and maneuver while the engine or steering gears are incapacitated. ★★
3	Basics of Survivability -15% to time of repair, fire extinguishing, and recovery from flooding.	Survivability Expert +350 ship HP for each ship tier. +15 aircraft HP for each ship tier. ★★	Torpedo Armament Expertise -10% to reload time of torpedo tubes. ★★★	Aircraft Armor Reduces continuous damage to aircraft in all AA defense zones. -10% continuous damage.	Basic Firing Training -10% to reload time of main battery guns with a caliber up to and including 139mm and all secondary battery guns. +10% to continuous damage from AA guns. ★★★	Superintendent +1 additional charge to all consumables mounted on a ship. ★★★	Demolition Expert +2% chance of HE shells causing a fire on target. +1% chance of rockets causing a fire on target. +5% chance of HE bombs causing a fire on target. ★★	Vigilance +25% to detection range of enemy torpedoes. ★★
4	Manual Fire Control for Secondary Armament Tightens dispersion of shells from secondary batteries. -15% for Tier I-VI ships. -60% for Tier VII-X ships. Manually selected target only.	Fire Prevention -10% to the risk of fire. The maximum number of fires on a ship is reduced to three.	Inertia Fuse for HE Shells +30% to the armor penetration capacity of HE shells. -1% chance of fire on target caused by shells <=139mm. -3% chance of fire on target caused by shells >139mm.	Sight Stabilization Speeds up the aiming of a carrier's aircraft. +5% attack aircraft aiming speed. +5% torpedo bomber aiming speed. +10% dive bomber aiming speed.	Advanced Firing Training +20% to firing range of main battery guns with a caliber up to 139mm and all secondary battery guns. +15% damage/sec. within the explosion radius of shells fired from long-range AA defenses. ★★	Massive AA Fire Instantaneous Damage +100%. Priority AA sector cooldown +50%.	Radio Position Finding Shows the direction to the nearest enemy ship. The enemy is alerted that a bearing has been taken.	Concealment Expert -10% to the detection radius of all ships and aircraft. ★★★
Key: ★★★ - Extremely Useful       ★★ - Frequently Useful       ★ - Occasionally Useful      No stars - Meh     Χ - Not recommended

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.

Gallery

• 

  Minekaze prepares for battle.

• 

  Enemy fighters spot Minekaze from above.

• 

  Minekaze fires her guns at enemy ships.

• 

  Minekaze closes on an enemy Clemson.

• 

Historical Info

Construction

Maizuru Naval Yard; Kyoto, Japan

Laid down: 20 April 1918

Launched: 8 February 1919

Commissioned: 29 March 1920

Specifications

1,345 tons displacement, standard

102.5m length

9.04m beam

2.9m draft

Machinery

4 boilers, 2 turbines

Performance

39 knots at 38,500 shaft horsepower

3,600nm at 14 knots

Armament

Four (4x1) 120mm guns, two (2x1) 7.7mm guns, and six (3x2) 533mm torpedo tubes

History

Design

The Japanese destroyer Minekaze (峯風 Summit Wind?) was the lead ship of the Minekaze-class destroyers, built for the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) during the late 1910s. The ship served in the Second Sino-Japanese War during the 1930s and spent the Pacific War on escort duties in Japanese waters and the East China Sea. She was sunk by an American submarine in early 1944 near Formosa.

Service

The design of the Minekaze class was approved during the last years of World War I, though none were completed before 1919. The first to be completed, Sawakaze, joined the navy in March 1920. The Minekaze class destroyers had typically uneventful interwar service records. By the beginning of war with China in 1937, they had become obsolete and were relegated to second line duties. By the time Japan had entered World War II, some had been converted for other purposes and most were used in merchant and convoy escort roles.

Akikaze would spend most of her wartime service engaged in ASW patrols and convoy escort duties. She would be damaged twice by air attack, once in August 1943, and again in December of that year. Torpedoed by submarine and sunk, November 1944.

Hakaze was engaged in escort and patrol duties for her entire war career. Torpedoed and sunk by submarine in January 1943.

Hokaze performed convoy escort and patrol duties for the entirety of her war service. She was damaged by submarine torpedo in June of 1943. Torpedoed and sunk by submarine, July 1944.

Minekaze would spend her entire war service engaged in ASW patrols and convoy escort duties. She was torpedoed and sunk by submarine in March 1944.

Nadakaze was re-rated as a PG in 1941. Rearmed with 120mm guns and having her torpedo armament reduced, she was later converted and again re-rated to APD. Torpedoed and sunk by submarine, July 1945.

Namikaze was assigned to convoy escort duties until she was severely damaged by submarine torpedo in September of 1944, when she was repaired and rebuilt as a Kaiten carrier. She survived the war and was awarded to China in 1947.

Nokaze served on ASW patrols and as a convoy escort for the entirety of her war career. She was torpedoed and sunk by submarine, February, 1944.

Numakaze performed convoy escort duties until she was torpedoed and sunk with all her crew lost in December 1943.

Okikaze had been disarmed and stricken from the navy list in preparation for disposal, but was rearmed , re-rated as a DD in 1941 at the beginning of World War II. She performed escort and patrol duties until January 1943, when she was torpedoed and sunk by submarine.

Sawakaze participated in ASW patrols and as a convoy escort until 1945, when she was converted for air and sea rescue. She was also fitted with an experimental ASW rocket launcher. Sawakaze survived the war and was scrapped in 1948.

Shimakaze re-rated and rearmed as a PG like Nadakaze, she was torpedoed and sunk by submarine in January 1943.

Shiokaze was engaged as a convoy escort for most of her war service. Damaged by air attack in January 1945, she was repaired and rebuilt as a Kaiten carrier and was fitted with radar. She survived the war and was later scrapped.

Tachikaze was, like her sisters, primarily engaged in ASW patrols and convoy escort. Damaged by air attack in December 1942 and again in April of 1943, she was sunk by air attack in February 1944.

Yakaze was converted into a wireless controlled target ship in May 1942. She was sunk in harbor during the air raids on the Home Islands in 1945. She was re-floated after the war and scrapped.

Yukaze spent the entire war as part of the naval air training group with Hosho. Like Sawakaze, she was converted to facilitate air-sea rescue. She survived the war and was awarded to Great Britain in 1947.

Historical Gallery

Ships of Japan

Destroyers