Dalian

13.5

Cruiser | Pan-Asia | Tier IX

Tech Tree Position

Battle Levels

12345678910

IX

Special

Dalian — Pan-Asian special premium Tier IX cruiser.

A modernized version of the MK-6 cruiser project with gun mounts from the 1940s replaced with more contemporary ones—the main battery is represented by BL-109 guns instead of MK-18, and AA mounts represented by ZIF-31 and 4M-120 mounts instead of 66-K and 70-K, respectively. The project reflects a potential upgrade of the cruiser, which might have been carried out in the 1950s.

Dalian was first released for sale on 4 February 2022.

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 ()
130 mm/60 on a BL-109A mount	12.2	9	126	1,800	8	2,600		0	0

	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 ()
Dalian	27,400	12	100	5		10/4/5	4			0	0

	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 ()
533 mm 53-38	0.7	90	7.2	15,100	60	10		0	0

	IDS_SHIP_PARAM_SUO_INCREASE_DIST (%)	Maximum Firing Range (km)		Research price (exp)	Purchase price ()
GFCS IX mod. 1		0		0	0

	Maximum Speed (knot)		Research price (exp)	Purchase price ()
Propulsion: 80,000 hp	33.4		0	0

Compatible Upgrades

Slot 1
Slot 2
Slot 3
Slot 4
Slot 5
Slot 6

Player Opinion

Performance

Warning. The data presented in the AA Defense sidebar section may be incorrect.
Refer to the in-game Port screens for more useful data.

The Pan-Asian premium light cruiser Dalian represents a sidegrade to her tech tree counterpart Sejong. She loses main battery damage output and the devastating threat of sixteen stealthy deep water torpedoes plus Torpedo Reload Booster . However, in exchange, she gains better gun ballistics and standard torpedoes. In addition, she has a large number of charges on her Repair Party  and Smoke Generator  consumables. With these tools, she can comfortably whittle down everything from battleships to destroyers from the comfort of her smoke – or in open water, for particularly daring captains (though not recommended).

Armament

In comparison to Harbin, Dalian receives guns with a similar performance to Grozovoi. Despite this, Dalian’s guns retain Harbin’s 5.5 second reload and 13.5 km range, providing only small gunnery improvements. Compared to Harbin, Dalian’s shells deal 100 less HE alpha damage (1800 vs 1900), but they get a slightly higher fire chance (8% vs 7%) and faster shell speed, making it easier to hit targets at long range. However, her short firing range means she must get uncomfortably close to enemy ships to engage. And while her HE and AP DPM are high for the tier, her low caliber limits the targets she can reliably damage.

Unlike her Pan-Asian tech tree counterparts, Dalian mounts regular torpedoes which can also hit destroyers, but these torpedoes are average at best. She has a comparatively low quantity of torpedoes per side with low damage. In comparison, Neptune has two additional torpedoes which hit harder, go faster and gain the ability to get single launched.

AA Defense

Dalian’s AA suite is rather weak compared to the Pan-Asian tech tree cruisers. She has increased range on all of her AA auras, with high long-range damage and strong flak defenses. However, her medium-range damage is low for the tier, and her short-range damage is average. And unlike the tech tree cruisers, she doesn't have access to Defensive AA Fire  to improve her defenses. If she finds herself getting focused by an enemy carrier, she can use her smokescreens to disengage but should still seek allied AA cover in matches with carriers.

Survivability

As they use the same hull, Dalian shares Harbin’s thin armor and a similar HP pool. Most of her hull is covered by 16 mm plating, which leaves her vulnerable to destroyer HE and can be overmatched by cruisers with guns larger than 228 mm, includingHenri IV, Drake, Goliath, and large cruisers. She also lacks the 32 mm midsection plating that allows Sejong to bounce most battleship-caliber AP shells when angled. and lacks the 32 mm midsection plating of her tech-tree counterpart that allows Sejong to bounce most battleship-caliber AP shells when angled. However, Dalian’s citadel is better protected, with a 50 mm citadel roof compared to Sejong’s 32 mm that can be overmatched by 460 mm guns.

Dalian’s survivability is more average than it seems on paper. Despite having the lowest health of any Tier IX cruiser, she is a small target and can use her smoke and heals to stay alive. Due to her thin plating and narrow profile, large caliber AP can even overpenetrate and punch right through her upper hull without even fusing. However, cruiser AP will easily deal damage, and even some destroyers can reliably citadel her at distance. And if the battleship aims low enough and hits her exposed citadel, she can quickly find herself heading back to port. She also has a low torpedo damage reduction of just 4%. Without Hydroacoustic Search  to detect them, torpedoes pose a great threat to her survivability.

With a full concealment build, captains can bring Dalian’s concealment down to 8.9 km. She is one of the stealthiest cruisers in her tier and matchmaking spread. This allows her to reach advantageous positions and disengage if she gets focused, especially when combined with her numerous Smoke Generator charges.

Battle Performance

Dalian offers very little team utility. She doesn't have a Hydroacoustic Search 

or Surveillance Radar 

to hunt down destroyers, and her damage output is too low to kill spotted destroyers quickly. She doesn't carry Defensive AA Fire 

and has weaker AA than her tech tree counterparts, so she isn't a great AA support platform either. Last but not least, her damage output is poor for a Tier IX cruiser and her small caliber guns limit the targets she can reliably damage to just destroyers and larger ship superstructures. Dalian is a one trick pony that focuses on farming targets from smoke, or in a kiting position. The biggest influence Dalian can have on a match is to juke shells that otherwise would have been directed at better ships.

Pros:

Small target
Comfortable main battery ballistics
Torpedoes can hit destroyers
Fast rudder shift with small turning circle
Excellent concealment
Carries the Smoke Generator  and Repair Party  consumables with an extra charge of each

Cons:

Low HP
Weak armor protection
Terrible torpedo damage reduction
Short firing range
Low DPM for a light cruiser
Poor armor penetration
Underwhelming AA defenses
No Hydroacoustic Search  consumable

Optimal Configuration

Upgrades

The recommended upgrades are:

Slot 1: Main Armaments Modification 1
Slot 2: Engine Room Protection
Slot 3: Aiming Systems Modification 1 or Torpedo Tubes Modification 1
Slot 4: Propulsion Modification 1
Slot 5: Concealment System Modification 1 
Slot 6: Main Battery Modification 3 or Gun Fire Control System Modification 2

Slot 3 presents the biggest choice in defining Dalian's play style. Players that wish to boost her gun performance should select Aiming Systems Modification 1 or the coal Smoke Generator Modification 1 upgrade. Those that wish to play Dalian as a torpedo cruiser should instead select Torpedo Tubes Modification 1 to increase her torpedo speed and reduce the risk of her torpedo tubes getting knocked out or destroyed.

In slot 6, players can opt for Gun Fire Control System Modification 2 to increase Dalian's low firing range. However, although she has better ballistics than her tech tree counterparts, her shells are still floaty at range. Those long flight times will limit the usefulness of this extra range to farming battleships and stationary cruisers.

Commander Skills

Recommended Commander Skills
Cost (points)	Attack				Defense
1	Grease the Gears +15% main battery traverse speed.	Swift Fish +5% torpedo speed. ★★	Consumables Specialist −7.5% cooldown time of all Consumables except: Damage Control Party  Repair Party .	Gun Feeder -40% time to switch shell type.	Incoming Fire Alert Receive a warning of a salvo fired at your ship from more than 4.5km. ★★	Last Stand The ship remains able to move and maneuver - slowly - while the engine or steering gears are incapacitated. ★
2	Demolition Expert +1% chance of main and secondary HE shells causing a fire. +15% to the fragmentation damage area of HE ordnance fired at submarines. ★★★	Fill the Tubes -10% torpedo tubes reload time. ★★	Consumables Enhancements +10% action time of Hydroacoustic Search, Surveillance Radar, Smoke Generator, & Engine Boost.	Eye in the Sky Spotting Aircraft: • +2 charges • -50% cooldown time.	Priority Target The detection indicator will show the number of enemies targeting you with main battery. ★★	Focus Fire Training In an active priority AA sector: • +1.5% (to 5%) immediate damage. • +25% continuous damage. • +1 flak burst per salvo. −10% aircraft preparation time. −15% reload time of Airstrike armament..
3	Heavy HE and SAP Shells +10% HE and SAP shell damage. +15% ship detectability guns 149mm and up. ★★★	Pack a Punch +15% torpedo damage. +20% secondary battery range.. ★★	Adrenaline Rush -0.2% reload time of all armaments per 1% HP lost +0.2% AA continuous damage per 1% HP lost. ★★★	Heavy AP Shells +5% damage for AP shells 190mm and larger.	Superintendent +1 charge to all consumables. ★★★	Survivability Expert +450 HP per ship tier. ★★★
4	Top Grade Gunner -10% reload time of secondary batteries If enemy ship is spotted within detectability range, -8% reload time of main battery. ★	Outnumbered If there are fewer allies than visible enemies within the ship's base main caliber firing range: +8% ship speed -10% main battery dispersion.	Radio Location Shows the direction to the nearest enemy ship. The enemy is alerted that a bearing has been taken.. ★★	Inertial Fuse for HE Shells +25% armor penetration of HE shells Base fire chance reduced by half. ★	Concealment Expert -10% detectability range of the ship. ★★★	AAA & ASW Expert +25% continuous AA and flak damage. +15% damage inflicted by depth charges. While AAA is active: −50% ship consumables reload time..
Key: ★★★ - Extremely Useful ★★ - Frequently Useful ★ - Occasionally Useful No stars - Not Useful

Consumables

Dalian equips the following consumables:

Slot 1: Damage Control Party 
Slot 2: Repair Party  – 4 charges
Slot 3: Smoke Generator  – 4 charges

Camouflage

As a premium ship, Dalian comes with Default permanent camouflage and a set of permanent combat bonuses.

Signals

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

References

Ships of Pan-Asia

Destroyers	II Longjiang • III Phra Ruang • IV Shenyang • V Jianwei • VI Fushun • VI Anshan • VII Gadjah Mada • VIII Hsienyang • VIII Siliwangi • VIII Loyang • VIII Fenyang • VIII Loyang B • VIII Ship Smasha • IX Chung Mu • X Yueyang • X Lüshun • ★ Kunming
Cruisers	I Chengan • III Ning Hai • V Chungking • VI Rahmat • VI Huanghe • VII Chumphon • VIII Harbin • VIII Irian • VIII Wukong • IX Sejong • IX Dalian • IX Mengchong • IX Tianjin • X Jinan
Battleships	IX Bajie • IX Wujing • IX Sun Yat-Sen • IX Louchuan
Aircraft Carriers	VIII Sanzang

Cruisers

Japan	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
U.K.	I Black Swan • II Weymouth • III Caledon • IV Danae • V Emerald • V Hawkins • V Exeter • VI Leander • VI Devonshire • VI London • VI Dido • VI Orion '44 • VII Fiji • VII Surrey • VII Belfast • VIII Edinburgh • VIII Albemarle • VIII Cheshire • VIII Tiger '59 • VIII Belfast '43 • VIII Hampshire • VIII Nottingham • VIII AL Cheshire • VIII STAR Edinburgh • IX Neptune • IX Drake • X Monmouth • X Minotaur • X Goliath • X Plymouth • X Gibraltar • X Defence • ★ Edgar
France	I Bougainville • II Jurien de la Gravière • III Friant • IV Duguay-Trouin • V Émile Bertin • VI La Galissonnière • VI De Grasse • VI Dupleix • VI Montcalm • VII Algérie • VII Toulon • VIII Charles Martel • VIII Cherbourg • VIII Bayard • IX Saint-Louis • IX Brest • IX Carnot • X Henri IV • X Marseille • X Colbert • ★ Condé
U.S.S.R.	I Orlan • II Diana • II Diana Lima • II Novik • III Aurora • III Bogatyr • III Oleg • III Varyag • III AL Avrora • IV Svietlana • V Murmansk • V Kotovsky • V Krasny Krym • V Mikoyan • V Kirov • VI Budyonny • VI Molotov • VI Admiral Makarov • VII Shchors • VII Lazo • VII Lazo B • VIII Chapayev • VIII Tallinn • VIII Mikhail Kutuzov • VIII Ochakov • VIII Pyotr Bagration • VIII Dmitry Pozharsky • IX Dmitri Donskoi • IX Riga • IX Kronshtadt • X Moskva • X Alexander Nevsky • X Petropavlovsk • X Stalingrad • X Smolensk B • X Smolensk • X Sevastopol • X Kommissar • ★ Novosibirsk
U.S.A.	I Erie • II Chester • II Albany • III St. Louis • III Charleston • IV Phoenix • V Omaha • V Marblehead • V Marblehead Lima • V Rattlehead • VI Pensacola • VI Dallas • VII Atlanta • VII New Orleans • VII Helena • VII Indianapolis • VII Atlanta B • VII Boise • VII Flint • VIII Baltimore • VIII Cleveland • VIII Wichita • VIII Anchorage • VIII Congress • VIII Rochester • VIII San Diego • VIII AL Montpelier • IX Buffalo • IX Seattle • IX Vallejo • IX Alaska • IX Tulsa • IX Alaska B • X Des Moines • X Worcester • X Puerto Rico • X Salem • X Austin • ★ Annapolis
Germany	I Hermelin • II Dresden • II Emden • III Kolberg • IV Karlsruhe • V Königsberg • VI Nürnberg • VI Admiral Graf Spee • VI Leipzig • VI HSF Admiral Graf Spee • VII Yorck • VII München • VII Weimar • VIII Admiral Hipper • VIII Prinz Eugen • VIII Mainz • VIII Schill • VIII Mainz B • VIII Cross of Dorn • VIII Wiesbaden • IX Roon • IX Siegfried • IX Ägir • IX Admiral Schröder • IX Roon CLR • X Hindenburg • ★ Clausewitz
Pan-Asia	I Chengan • III Ning Hai • V Chungking • VI Rahmat • VI Huanghe • VII Chumphon • VIII Harbin • VIII Irian • VIII Wukong • IX Sejong • IX Dalian • IX Mengchong • IX Tianjin • X Jinan
Spain	I Júpiter • II Méndez Núñez • III Navarra • IV Almirante Cervera • V Galicia • VI Baleares • VI Canarias • VII Asturias • VIII Cataluña • VIII Numancia • IX Andalucía • X Castilla
Europe	I Gryf • VI Elli
Netherlands	I Van Kinsbergen • II Gelderland • III Java • IV De Ruyter • V Celebes • VI Kijkduin • VII Eendracht • VIII Haarlem • VIII De Zeven Provinciën • IX Johan de Witt • IX Van Speijk • X Gouden Leeuw • X Prins van Oranje
Italy	I Eritrea • II Nino Bixio • III Taranto • IV Alberto di Giussano • V Raimondo Montecuccoli • V Genova • VI Trento • VI Duca d'Aosta • VII Zara • VII Duca degli Abruzzi • VII Francesco Ferruccio • VII Gorizia • VIII Amalfi • IX Brindisi • IX Michelangelo • X Venezia • X Napoli • X Napoli B • ★ Piemonte
Commonwealth	I Sutlej • II Port Jackson • III Caradoc • IV Dunedin • V Delhi • VI Hobart • VI Perth • VI Mysore • VII Uganda • VIII Auckland • IX Encounter • IX Hector • X Cerberus • X Brisbane
Pan-America	I Hércules • II Almirante Barroso • II Almirante Abreu • III Vicente Guerrero • IV Córdoba • V La Argentina • VI Almirante Cochrane • VII Coronel Bolognesi • VII Nueve de Julio • VIII Ignacio Allende • VIII Almirante Grau • IX Santander • X San Martín

Games

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Tools

Dalian

Modules

Compatible Upgrades