Shokaku

Revision as of 17:56, 9 April 2021

13.3

Aircraft Carrier | Japan | Tier VIII

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Battle Levels

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VIII

11,500,000

Shōkaku — Japanese Tier VIII aircraft сarrier.

The notorious heavy aircraft carrier whose design stemmed from the experience gained in building the Hiryu-class carriers. Compared to her predecessor, Shōkaku came with reinforced anti-aircraft armament, a larger air group and somewhat improved armor. During the course of World War II, the ship's AA capabilities were significantly enhanced.

Modules

	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 ()
Shōkaku (A)	50,100	6	215		2/6	36/2/6				0	1,200,000
Shōkaku (B)	51,400	6	215		2/6	32/20/2/6				27,000	3,000,000

	Speed (knot)	IDS_SHIP_PARAM_SQUADRON_MED_DAMAGE (HP/min)	IDS_SHIP_PARAM_SQUADRON_AMMO_AMOUNT	Hit Points (HP)		Research price (exp)	Purchase price ()
A6M5 Zero	144			1,330		0	600,000
N1K2-J Shiden-Kai	151			1,390		18,000	1,500,000

	Maximum Torpedo Damage (HP)	Speed (knot)	Hit Points (HP)		Research price (exp)	Purchase price ()
B6N Tenzan	7,233	133	1,600		0	600,000
B7A Ryūsei	7,233	137	1,670		18,000	1,500,000

	Maximum Bomb Damage (HP)	Speed (knot)	Hit Points (HP)		Research price (exp)	Purchase price ()
D4Y3 Suisei		142	1,580		0	600,000
B7A Ryūsei		145	1,650		18,000	1,500,000

	Maximum Speed (knot)		Research price (exp)	Purchase price ()
Propulsion: 152,000 hp	34		0	500,000

Compatible Upgrades

Slot 1
Slot 2
Slot 3
Slot 4
Slot 5

Player Opinion

Performance

Attack Aircraft:

The attack aircraft have very good speed that can be used to chase down destroyers more effectively than other nation's attack aircraft. When attacking a target they have a very tight aiming circle providing good accuracy and is useful for targeting all ship types. They are also dropped in large amounts providing better chances of hitting a target. The stock planes has 8 planes with a total of 4 attack runs and 2 planes in a attack run. The researchable attack aircraft has 9 planes with a total of 3 attack runs with 3 planes in a attack run.

Torpedo Bombers:

When fully upgraded, player can attack 5 times with double torpedoes per time. The torpedo range, speed and damage is excellent. With a full concealment build, players could drop their payload almost the instance the planes are spotted. The downside is that the planes are one of the weakest of all tier VIII carriers, and players need to utilize the long range of the torpedoes for longer duration of its usage. The stock torpedo bombers has 10 planes with a total of 5 attack runs and 2 planes in a attack run. The researchable torpedo bombers has the same numbers but with faster plane speed and better health.

Dive Bombers:

Unlike most carriers, Shokaku uses AP dive bombers. German battleships, cruisers; French battleships; Soviet battleships; American cruisers are good candidates for citadel hits. But keep in mind that these planes are very weak and using against the aforementioned targets may not be viable from early on in the match. Use islands and target HE saturated ships for finishing or devastating blows. As the AP fuse need time to arm, using against destroyers are quite ineffective. The aiming mechanism is different from USN dive bombers as the aiming circle initially dip backward slightly before moving forward at the very last minute. This can be useful if the player overshoot the target's momentum, but with less possibility of a citadel hit. The stock dive bombers has 9 planes with a total of 3 attack runs and 3 planes in a attack run. The researchable dive bombers has the same numbers but with faster plane speed and better health.

Overall:

Shokaku is more of a anti-BB, cruiser carrier in its role as it lacks HE bombs of the Americans or the fast rockets of the British. Also it has one of the weakest planes with low health pools. This is a serious disadvantage compared to the Lexington or the Implacable as tier 8~10 battles intoduce cruisers and battleships with stong AA. Concealment of planes, use of islands to block AA are essential to keep up the air attacks till late in the game. Any vital mistakes that leads to annhiliation of squadrons will leave playes with only 1 or 2 planes per squadron. Furthermore, the ship lacks a powerful AA defense, so it is best to take advantage of her concealment and remain unspotted for as long as possible.

Pros:

Fast planes and combining her high potential damage for all plane types, she can helps support teammates often and effectively.
Attack aircraft carry accurate rockets and are drop in large amounts per attack run that can be very effective even to battleships.
Best aerial torpedoes in tier - high speed, good damage and long range.
Torpedo bombers can drop 5 times in a row, assuming that no planes are lost.
AP bombs can deal significant damage to cruisers and battleships, assuming that they hit the citadel.
Well protected citadel and improved armor compared to her predecessor Ryujo
Fastest tier VIII carrier speed of 34 knots allows for quick relocation when needed
Good ship and torpedo bomber concealment.

Cons:

Planes have low healthpool, careful use of planes and using tactics such as dodging flaks and careful target selection will keep her fighting.
Rockets are not as accurate as Ryujo, although this is offset by larger payload and damage.
AP bombs are only effective against select targets, and nigh-useless against destroyers
AP bombs often deal poor amount of damage when they don't hit the citadel of a ship.
AP bombs can bounce, dealing no damage on target.
Torpedo bombers only drop 2 torpedos per attack run compare to other same tier CVs.
Enormous turn radius, loses a lot of speed during turns.
lacks a powerful AA defense

Research

This is a suggested research path:

B7A Ryusei (Torpedo bombers)
N1K2-J Shiden-Kai
B7A Ryusei (Dive bombers)
Hull(B) for better resistance against CV sniping.

Optimal Configuration

Upgrades

The recommended upgrades for Shōkaku are as follows:

Slot 1: Air Groups Modification 1
Slot 2: Aircraft Engines Modification 1
Slot 3: Torpedo Bombers Modification 1
Slot 4: Torpedo Bombers Modification 2 or Bombers Modification 1
Slot 5: Concealment System Modification 1  or Flight Control Modification 1 .

Upgrade Slot 5 offers players Concealment System Modification 1 , which stacks with Concealment Expert and camouflage to bring Shōkaku`s torpedo bombers' concealment down to 6.1k. This means players can start their drop well beyond the detection range of the planes and surprise ships with 5.4k range torpedoes. However, if players are losing planes faster then they anticipate, they should go for Flight Control Modification 1 .

Commander Skills

Any skills that are related to an enemy vessel firing on your carrier are not useful, as the cost-benefit of investing in survivability skills is not worth the minimal benefit they offer. Shōkaku is large and unarmored, and will not survive an attack by any ship larger than a destroyer. Shōkaku captains must position their ship near friendlies or behind islands, away from enemy fire.

Recommended Commander Skills
Cost (points)	Attack			Defense		Support
1	Last Gasp Completely restores engine boost for the last attack squadron.	Improved Engine Boost +10% Aircraft engine boost time.	Engine Techie -20% Engine Cooling cooldown time.	Air Supremacy -5% aircraft restoration time. ★★	Direction Center for Fighters +1 fighter to CAP squadrons.	Search and Destroy +10% to action radius of Patrol Fighter and Interceptor squadrons.
2	Torpedo Bomber -10% torpedo arming distance. ★★	Swift Fish +5% to torpedo speed.	Improved Engines +2.5% aircraft squadron speed. ★★	Repair Specialist +1 In-flight Repair consumable +10% its action time.	Secondary Armament Expert +10% flak and continuous damage -10% secondary battery reload time.	Patrol Group Leader +1 fighter to Patrol Fighter or Interceptor squadrons.
3	Sight Stabilization +7.5% aiming speed. ★★	Enhanced Armor-Piercing Ammunition +3% damage from AP bombs and rockets. ★★	Pyrotechnician +1% chance of HE rockets causing a fire. +5% chance of HE bombs causing a fire.	Aircraft Armor -10% continuous AA damage while in an aura. ★★	Survivability Expert +25 aircraft HP per ship tier. ★★	Interceptor Interceptors replace Patrol Fighters: +10% action radius. Invulnerable to fighters. Cannot attack fighters. Cannot spot ships.
4	Bomber Flight Control +5% speed all bomber types.	Proximity Fuze -10% (absolute) to target's torpedo protection. ★★	Close Quarters Expert Secondary batteries: +20% range -30% dispersion.	Enhanced Aircraft Armor -25% damage from flak.	Hidden Menace -15% ship detectability range. -20% Damage Control Party cooldown. +50% aircraft return time.	Enhanced Reactions -80% time before activated Patrol Fighters or Interceptors attack. +25% action time. +50% cooldown time.
Key: ★★★ - Extremely Useful ★★ - Frequently Useful ★ - Occasionally Useful No stars - Not Useful

Consumables

Shōkaku has access to the following consumables:

Slot 1: Damage Control Party 
Slot 2: CAP Fighter  (4 squadrons of 4 Shiden Kie)

All aircraft carrier consumables are automatically activated.

Attack Aircraft:

Slot 1: Engine Cooling  (2 charges)
Slot 2: Patrol Fighter  (3 squadrons of 5 Shiden Kie)

Torpedo Bombers:

Slot 1: Engine Cooling  (2 charges)
Slot 2: Patrol Fighter  (3 squadrons of 5 Shiden Kie)
Slot 3: In-flight Repair  (4 charges)

Bombers:

Slot 1: Engine Cooling  (2 charges)
Slot 2: Patrol Fighter  (3 squadrons of 5 Shiden Kie)

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.

Players who wish to spend doubloons can equip Shōkaku with Type 18 camouflage that lowers her detection radius, reduces the accuracy of incoming shells, reduces cost of post-battle service, and increases the amount of experience she earns.

Shōkaku also has an alternate premium camouflage called "The Great Gorgon", in which she appears as she does during the Halloween scenario "Sunray in the Darkness".

Signals

As a carrier, Shōkaku should mount Equal Speed Charlie London (🚫), Zulu Hotel (🚫), November Echo Setteseven (), and Juliet Whiskey Unaone (), and possibly others.

Recommended Signal Flags
Combat
Juliet Charlie -100% to the risk of magazine detonation.	Juliet Yankee Bissotwo -20% to flooding duration.	India Yankee -20% to fire duration.	Hotel Yankee -20% to damage received when ramming the enemy. +50% to damage dealt when ramming the enemy.	Victor Lima +1% chance for HE bombs and shells with a caliber above 160mm causing a fire. +0.5% chance for bombs and smaller shells causing a fire. +4% chance of torpedoes causing flooding.	India X-Ray +1% chance for HE bombs and shells with a caliber above 160mm causing a fire. +0.5% chance for bombs and smaller shells causing a fire. +5% to the risk of your ship's magazine detonating.
Juliet Whiskey Unaone +15% chance of causing flooding. +5% to the risk of your ship's magazine detonating. ★★★	Mike Yankee Soxisix +5% to secondary battery maximum firing range. -5% to maximum dispersion of secondary battery shells. -5% to secondary battery loading time.	November Echo Setteseven +5% continuous AA damage at all ranges. +5% damage from flak bursts. ★★★	Sierra Mike +5% to the ship's maximum speed. ★	November Foxtrot -5% reload time on all consumables.	India Delta +20% to the amount of HP recovered when Repair Party  is used.
X-Ray Papa Unaone +10% action time of a Smoke Generator .	Sierra Bravo +10% action time of Hydroacoustic Search  -10% reload time of Defensive AA Fire .

Note: Use of the Juliet Charlie signal makes detonation impossible.

Gallery

The flight deck is packed with aircraft prepared to sortie.
A fighter departs Shōkaku.
Fire alarm.
ShokAA.png

Attack aircraft.

References

Ships of Japan

Destroyers	II Tachibana • II Umikaze • II Tachibana Lima • III Wakatake • IV Isokaze • V Minekaze • V Fūjin • V Kamikaze • V Kamikaze R • V Mutsuki • VI Fubuki • VI Hatsuharu • VI Shinonome B • VI Shinonome • VII Akatsuki • VII Shiratsuyu • VII Yūdachi • VIII Akizuki • VIII Kagerō • VIII Asashio • VIII HSF Harekaze II • VIII Asashio B • VIII HSF Harekaze • VIII AL Yukikaze • IX Yūgumo • IX Kitakaze • IX Minegumo • IX STAR Kitakaze • X Shimakaze • X Harugumo • X Hayate • ★ Yamagiri
Cruisers	I Hashidate • II Chikuma • III Tenryū • III Katori • IV Yūbari • IV Kuma • IV Iwaki Alpha • V Furutaka • V Agano • V Yahagi • VI Aoba • VI Gokase • VII Myōkō • VII Omono • VII Tokachi • VII Maya • VII ARP Myōkō • VII ARP Ashigara • VII ARP Haguro • VII Southern Dragon • VII Eastern Dragon • VII ARP Nachi • VIII Mogami • VIII Tone • VIII Atago • VIII Shimanto • VIII Atago B • VIII ARP Takao • VIII ARP Maya • IX Ibuki • IX Takahashi • IX Azuma • IX AL Azuma • IX Chikuma II • X Zaō • X Yodo • X Yoshino • X Yoshino B • X Kitakami
Battleships	II Mikasa • III Kawachi • IV Myōgi • IV Ishizuchi • V Kongō • V ARP Kongō • V ARP Kirishima • V ARP Haruna • V ARP Hiei • V HSF Hiei • VI Fusō • VI Mutsu • VI Ise • VII Nagato • VII Ashitaka • VII Hyūga • VIII Amagi • VIII Yumihari • VIII Kii • VIII Ignis Purgatio • VIII Ragnarok • IX Izumo • IX Adatara • IX Musashi • IX Hizen • IX Iwami • IX Daisen • IX Tsurugi • IX Iwami B • X Yamato • X Bungo • X Shikishima • X ARP Yamato • ★ Satsuma
Aircraft Carriers	IV Hōshō • VI Ryūjō • VIII Shōkaku • VIII Kaga • VIII Kaga B • X Hakuryū • ★ Sekiryu

Aircraft Carriers

Japan	IV Hōshō • VI Ryūjō • VIII Shōkaku • VIII Kaga • VIII Kaga B • X Hakuryū • ★ Sekiryu
U.K.	IV Hermes • VI Furious • VI Ark Royal • VIII Implacable • VIII Indomitable • VIII Colossus • X Audacious • X Malta • ★ Eagle
France	VI Béarn
U.S.S.R.	IV Komsomolets • VI Serov • VIII Pobeda • VIII Chkalov • VIII Chkalov B • X Admiral Nakhimov
U.S.A.	IV Langley • VI Independence • VI Ranger • VIII Yorktown • VIII Lexington • VIII Enterprise • VIII Saipan • VIII Hornet • VIII Saipan B • X Essex • X Midway • X Franklin D. Roosevelt • ★ United States
Germany	IV Rhein • VI Weser • VI Erich Loewenhardt • VIII August von Parseval • VIII Graf Zeppelin • VIII Graf Zeppelin B • X Manfred von Richthofen • X Max Immelmann
Pan-Asia	VIII Sanzang
Spain
Europe
Netherlands
Italy	VIII Aquila
Commonwealth
Pan-America

@@ Line 6: / Line 6: @@
 |Performance=<!-- write text about performance in battles below -->
-Shokaku is more of a anti-BB, cruiser carrier in its role as it lacks HE bombs of the Americans or the fast rockets of the British. Also it has one of the weakest planes with low health pools. This is a serious disadvantage compared to the Lexington or the Implacable as tier 8~10 battles intoduce cruisers and battleships with stong AA. Concealment of planes, use of islands to block AA are essential to keep up the air attacks till late in the game. Any vital mistakes that leads to annhiliation of squadrons will leave playes with only 1 or 2 planes per squadron.  <br />
-The attack aircraft has a very tight aiming circle and is useful for targeting all ship types. It also plays a vital role in attacking destroyers. <br />
+'''Attack Aircraft:'''
-When fully upgraded, player can attack 4 times with double torpedoes per time. The torpedo range, speed and damage is excellent. With a full concealment build, players could drop their payload almost the instance the planes are spotted. The downside is that the planes are one of the weakest of all tier VIII carriers, and players need to utilize the long range of the torpedoes for longer duration of its usage. <br />
-Unlike most carriers, Shokaku uses AP dive bombers. German battleships, cruisers; French battleships; Soviet battleships; American cruisers are good candidates for citadel hits. But keep in mind that these planes are very weak and using against the aforementioned targets may not be viable from early on in the match. Use islands and target HE saturated ships for finishing or devastating blows. As the AP fuse need time to arm, using against destroyers are quite ineffective. The aiming mechanism is different from USN dive bombers as the aiming circle initially dip backward slightly before moving forward at the very last minute. This can be useful if the player overshoot the target's momentum, but with less possibility of a citadel hit.
+The attack aircraft have very good speed that can be used to chase down destroyers more effectively than other nation's attack aircraft. When attacking a target they have a very tight aiming circle providing good accuracy and is useful for targeting all ship types. They are also dropped in large amounts providing better chances of hitting a target. The stock planes has 8 planes with a total of 4 attack runs and 2 planes in a attack run. The researchable attack aircraft has 9 planes with a total of 3 attack runs with 3 planes in a attack run.<br />
+'''Torpedo Bombers:'''
+When fully upgraded, player can attack 5 times with double torpedoes per time. The torpedo range, speed and damage is excellent. With a full concealment build, players could drop their payload almost the instance the planes are spotted. The downside is that the planes are one of the weakest of all tier VIII carriers, and players need to utilize the long range of the torpedoes for longer duration of its usage. The stock torpedo bombers has 10 planes with a total of 5 attack runs and 2 planes in a attack run. The researchable torpedo bombers has the same numbers but with faster plane speed and better health.<br />
+'''Dive Bombers:'''
+Unlike most carriers, Shokaku uses AP dive bombers. German battleships, cruisers; French battleships; Soviet battleships; American cruisers are good candidates for citadel hits. But keep in mind that these planes are very weak and using against the aforementioned targets may not be viable from early on in the match. Use islands and target HE saturated ships for finishing or devastating blows. As the AP fuse need time to arm, using against destroyers are quite ineffective. The aiming mechanism is different from USN dive bombers as the aiming circle initially dip backward slightly before moving forward at the very last minute. This can be useful if the player overshoot the target's momentum, but with less possibility of a citadel hit. The stock dive bombers has 9 planes with a total of 3 attack runs and 3 planes in a attack run. The researchable dive bombers has the same numbers but with faster plane speed and better health.
+'''Overall:'''
+Shokaku is more of a anti-BB, cruiser carrier in its role as it lacks HE bombs of the Americans or the fast rockets of the British. Also it has one of the weakest planes with low health pools. This is a serious disadvantage compared to the Lexington or the Implacable as tier 8~10 battles intoduce cruisers and battleships with stong AA. Concealment of planes, use of islands to block AA are essential to keep up the air attacks till late in the game. Any vital mistakes that leads to annhiliation of squadrons will leave playes with only 1 or 2 planes per squadron. Furthermore, the ship lacks a powerful AA defense, so it is best to take advantage of her concealment and remain unspotted for as long as possible.  <br />
 |Pros=<!-- write list of positive points below. use * as in ordinary wiki-list. -->
-* Better armored than her predecessor.
+* Fast planes and combining her high potential damage for all plane types, she can helps support teammates often and effectively.
-* AP bombs can deal huge amounts of damage to certain ships.
+* Attack aircraft carry accurate rockets and are drop in large amounts per attack run that can be very effective even to battleships.
-* Good aerial torpedo with 55 knot speed and 5.6 km range.
+* Best aerial torpedoes in tier - high speed, good damage and long range.
-* Better AA protection.
+* Torpedo bombers can drop 5 times in a row, assuming that no planes are lost.
-* Difficult-to-hit citadel; the hitbox is located well below the waterline.
+* AP bombs can deal significant damage to cruisers and battleships, assuming that they hit the citadel.
-* 34 knot top speed means easier relocation when necessary.
+* Well protected citadel and improved armor compared to her predecessor ''[[Ryujo]]''
-* Excellent concealment for CV and planes.
+* Fastest tier VIII carrier speed of 34 knots allows for quick relocation when needed
+* Good ship and torpedo bomber concealment.
 |Cons=<!-- write list of negative points below. use * as in ordinary wiki-list. -->
-* Loses a lot of speed during turns.
+* Planes have low healthpool, careful use of planes and using tactics such as dodging flaks and careful target selection will keep her fighting.
-* Very vulnerable to dive bomb attacks.
+* Rockets are not as accurate as ''[[Ryujo]]'', although this is offset by larger payload and damage.
-* Limited ability to hunt destroyers.
+* AP bombs are only effective against select targets, and nigh-useless against destroyers
-* Planes with one of the lowest health pools even with commander skills.
+* AP bombs often deal poor amount of damage when they don't hit the citadel of a ship.
-* AP bombs only effective against selected targets in very special circumstances (low AA).
+* AP bombs can bounce, dealing no damage on target.
-* Dropping torpedoes from maximum distance has a very low success rate, combined with the low health pool of planes, making it less of an advantage.
+* Torpedo bombers only drop 2 torpedos per attack run compare to other same tier CVs.
+* Enormous turn radius, loses a lot of speed during turns.
+* lacks a powerful AA defense
 |Research=<!-- write text about priority sequence of research below -->
 This is a suggested research path:
-# B7A Ryusei (Torpedo or AP bomber of choice)
+# B7A Ryusei (Torpedo bombers)
 # N1K2-J Shiden-Kai
+# B7A Ryusei (Dive bombers)
 # Hull(B) for better resistance against CV sniping.
@@ Line 44: / Line 59: @@
 *'''Slot 3''':  {{Torpedo Bombers Modification 1}}
 *'''Slot 4''':  {{Torpedo Bombers Modification 2}} or {{Bombers Modification 2}}
-*'''Slot 5''':  {{Concealment System Modification 1}}
+*'''Slot 5''':  {{Concealment System Modification 1}} or {{Flight Control Modification 1}}.
 '''Upgrade Slot 5''' offers players {{Concealment System Modification 1}}, which stacks with [[Ship:Commander#Concealment_Expert|Concealment Expert]] and camouflage to bring ''{{#var:ship_name}}''`s torpedo bombers' concealment down to 6.1k. This means players can start their drop well beyond the detection range of the planes and surprise ships with 5.4k range torpedoes. However, if players are losing planes faster then they anticipate, they should go for {{Flight Control Modification 1}}.
@@ Line 143: / Line 158: @@
 | Hydra = 1
 }}
 |Gallery=<!-- write below list of files without tags. description (if necessary) for each should be separated with | --><gallery>
@@ Line 148: / Line 164: @@
 File:FighterDeparts.jpg|A fighter departs ''Shōkaku''.
 File:ShokAblaze.jpg|Fire alarm.
+File:ShokAA.png|Attack aircraft.
 </gallery>
@@ Line 200: / Line 217: @@
 * ''Shōkaku''’s actual aircraft complement consisted of 27 Mitsubishi A6M5 "Zeros", 30 Yokosuka D4Y "Suiseis" and 18 Nakajima B6N "Tenzans" prior to the Battle of the Philippine Sea.  Her sister ship, ''Zuikaku'', carried 16 Mitsubishi A6M2s, 28 Mitsubishi A6M5s, 7 Yokosuka D4Ys & 15 Nakajima B6Ns at Leyte Gulf in October 1944.
 * Development of the Yokosuka D4Y2 began in October 1944; the last surviving ''Shōkaku''-class aircraft carrier, ''Zuikaku'', was sunk that same month.
-* The N1K5-A designation is fictitious. The actual N1K5 only existed as a project and was intended as a high-altitude interceptor.
+* The B7A Ryūsei torpedo dive bomber was too large and heavy to serve on any Japanese carrier except Shinano and ''[[Taiho]]''
 * Carrier-based versions of the Kawanishi N1K only existed as prototypes of which only three were built in total.

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Shokaku

Revision as of 17:56, 9 April 2021

Modules

Compatible Upgrades