Pensacola
203 mm/55 Mk.14 on a twin mount2 х 2 / 2 х 3 pcs. |
Rate of Fire4 shots/min. |
Reload Time15 sec. |
Rotation Speed4 deg./sec. |
180 Degree Turn Time45 sec. |
Firing Range14.25 km. |
Maximum Dispersion131 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 Mk19 |
Maximum AP Shell Damage4,600 |
Initial AP Shell Velocity853 m./s. |
AP Shell Weight118 kg. |
127 mm/25 Mk.19 on a Mk.19 mount8 х 1 pcs. |
Firing Range4.96 km. |
Rate of Fire13.33 shots/min. |
Reload Time4.5 sec. |
HE Shell127 mm HE/HC Mk36 |
Maximum HE Shell Damage1,800 |
Initial HE Shell Velocity657 m./s. |
Chance of Fire on Target Caused by HE Shell9 % |
127 mm/25 Mk.19 on a Mk.19 mount8 х 1 pcs. |
. . . Average Damage per Second58.4 |
. . . Firing Range4.2 km. |
20 mm Oerlikon on a Mk.4 mount8 х 1 pcs. |
. . . Average Damage per Second28.8 |
. . . Firing Range2.01 km. |
28 mm Mk.1 on a Mk.2 mount4 х 4 pcs. |
. . . Average Damage per Second9.2 |
. . . Firing Range2.4 km. |
Maximum Speed32.5 knot |
Turning Circle Radius620 m. |
Rudder Shift Time9.1 sec. |
Surface Detectability Range13.74 km. |
Air Detectability Range6.24 km. |
Pensacola — American Tier VI cruiser.
The first cruisers of the U.S. Navy built in accordance with the guidelines outlined by the Washington Naval Treaty. To ensure sufficient firepower, ten 203 mm guns were distributed among four turrets. Due to the narrow hull, triple-gun turrets were mounted in an elevated position. During World War II, USS Pensacola played a significant role in the Battle of Midway as an escort for aircraft carriers Yorktown and Enterprise. She later participated in the campaign in the Solomon Islands, serving as an escort for aircraft carrier Hornet. During the course of the war, the ship was awarded 13 battle stars.
Modules
Compatible Upgrades
Slot 1 |
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Slot 2 |
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Slot 3 |
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Slot 4 |
Player Opinion
Performance
The Pensacola is the first heavy cruiser within the American cruiser line---though "heavy" in this case refers strictly to her 8" guns and not to any sort of durability. The light armor of the Pensacola makes her one of the more difficult cruisers of her tier, with the tendency to take heavy penetrating and citadel hits regardless of angle. A stand-up fight in Pensacola against anything larger than a destroyer will end in a pyrrhic victory at best and an instant demise at worst.
Instead, Pensacola functions best as an ambush predator. Her concealment and solid AA suite are useful tools in sneaking into a flanking position alongside an approaching enemy, whereupon Pensacola can unleash her devastating 10-gun salvo upon surprised victims. Her AP shells are particularly potent when upgraded, being able to sink cruisers that show anything resembling a broadside with just one or two well-placed salvoes. Firing over islands can also be a good way to take advantage of her firepower without risking too much damage in return. If forced to fight in the open, Pensacola can make a decent kiter with her excellent rudder shift, though she has the disconcerting habit of taking massive damage from the few shells she doesn't manage to dodge.Pros:
- Good main batteries - good firing angles and turret traverse for all ten guns compared to their IJN and KMS counterparts Myoko and Yorck and great AP penetration capabilities
- Good anti-aircraft armament - not as powerful as its predecessor Cleveland but a good enough deterrent
- Good maneuverability - good turning radius, good rudder shift time, and decently fast
- Good concealment (after changes in Update 0.6.1).
Cons:
- Poorly armored - can take citadels from almost any angle by 406mm AP shells
- Poor large caliber AA range and damage
Research
This is a suggested research path:
- Pensacola (B) Hull
- 203 mm/55 Mk14 main battery mod. 2
- Mk7 GFCS mod. 2
Optimal Configuration
Upgrades
The recommended upgrades for Pensacola are as follows:
- Slot 1: Main Armaments Modification 1 - to keep the guns active and firing
- Slot 2: Damage Control System Modification 1 - to lessen the fire damage taken
- Slot 3: Aiming Systems Modification 1 - to increase the accuracy of her guns.
- Slot 4: Steering Gears Modification 2 - to improve her agility by lowering the rudder shift time
Commander Skills
Recommended Commander Skills | ||||||||
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Cost (points) |
Endurance | Attack | Support | Versatility | ||||
1 |
★★★ |
★★ |
★ |
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★★ |
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2 |
★ |
★★ |
★★★ |
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|
|
★★ |
★ |
3 |
★★ |
★ |
|
|
★★ |
★ |
★★★ |
★★ |
4 |
|
★ |
|
|
★★ |
|
★★ |
★★★ |
Key: ★★★ - Extremely Useful ★★ - Frequently Useful ★ - Occasionally Useful No stars - Meh Χ - Not recommended |
Consumables
Pensacola can equip the following consumables:
- Slot 1: Damage Control Party
- Slot 2: Defensive AA Fire or Hydroacoustic Search
- Slot 3: Catapult Fighter
Captain focusing Pensacola 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.
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 Pensacola with Type 17 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
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
References
- Wikipedia
- Historyofwar.org
- ibiblio.org
- USS Pensacola (CA-24): "The Grey Ghost" (confirmation of nickname)