Shokaku
127 mm/40 Type 89 on a Model A1 mount6 х 2 pcs. |
Firing Range4.5 km. |
Rate of Fire12 shots/min. |
Reload Time5 sec. |
HE Shell127 mm HE Type0 |
Maximum HE Shell Damage2,100 |
Initial HE Shell Velocity725 m./s. |
Chance of Fire on Target Caused by HE Shell8 % |
127 mm/40 Type 89 on a Model A1 Mod.3 mount2 х 2 pcs. |
Firing Range4.5 km. |
Rate of Fire10 shots/min. |
Reload Time6 sec. |
HE Shell127 mm HE Type0 |
Maximum HE Shell Damage2,100 |
Initial HE Shell Velocity725 m./s. |
Chance of Fire on Target Caused by HE Shell8 % |
127 mm/40 Type 89 on a Model A1 mount6 х 2 pcs. |
. . . Average Damage per Second60.6 |
. . . Firing Range5.01 km. |
127 mm/40 Type 89 on a Model A1 Mod.3 mount2 х 2 pcs. |
. . . Average Damage per Second20.2 |
. . . Firing Range5.01 km. |
25 mm/60 Type 96 on a single mount36 х 1 pcs. |
. . . Average Damage per Second64.8 |
. . . Firing Range2.49 km. |
Maximum Speed34 knot |
Turning Circle Radius1 130 m. |
Rudder Shift Time18.3 sec. |
Surface Detectability Range12.06 km. |
Air Detectability Range9.58 km. |
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
Maximum Torpedo Damage (HP) | Speed (knot) | Hit Points (HP) |
Research price (exp) |
Purchase price () | ||
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B6N Tenzan | 7,233 | 133 | 1,600 | 0 | 600,000 | |
B7A Ryūsei | 7,233 | 137 | 1,670 | 18,000 | 1,500,000 |
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 |
Player Opinion
Performance
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.
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.
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.
Pros:
- Better armored than her predecessor.
- AP bombs can deal huge amounts of damage to certain ships.
- Good aerial torpedo with 55 knot speed and 5.6 km range.
- Better AA protection.
- Difficult-to-hit citadel; the hitbox is located well below the waterline.
- 34 knot top speed means easier relocation when necessary.
- Excellent concealment for CV and planes.
Cons:
- Loses a lot of speed during turns.
- Very vulnerable to dive bomb attacks.
- Limited ability to hunt destroyers.
- Planes with one of the lowest health pools even with commander skills.
- AP bombs only effective against selected targets in very special circumstances (low AA).
- 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.
Research
This is a suggested research path:
- B7A Ryusei (Torpedo or AP bomber of choice)
- N1K2-J Shiden-Kai
- 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
Upgrade Slot 3 offers the choice of AA Guns Modification 1 for players wanting to increase the AA firepower of the carrier itself. But the extra 2 flak burst it provides is questionable in its effectiveness.
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
Shōkaku uses the standard Japanese carrier captain skill setup. Emphasis should be on skills that increase the survivability of the planes. Whether the player should take 'Sight Stabilization' or 'Concealment Expert' first is of preference. If the player is well accustomed to dropping their ammunition precisely, then taking concealment first will offer them new experience.
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 | ||||||||
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Cost (points) |
Endurance | Attack | Support | Versatility | ||||
1 |
★ |
Χ |
Χ |
★★★ |
|
★★ |
Χ |
★★ |
2 |
|
|
Χ |
★ |
Χ |
★★★ |
|
Χ |
3 |
|
★★★ |
Χ |
★★★ |
★ |
|
★ |
Χ |
4 |
Χ |
|
Χ |
★★★ |
|
Χ |
Χ |
★★★ |
Key: ★★★ - Extremely Useful ★★ - Frequently Useful ★ - Occasionally Useful No stars - Meh Χ - Not recommended |
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 | |||||
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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
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 |