No amount of deck will stop HE DB bombs, 10" deck won't stop them so 4.5"
certainly won't stop them.
4.5" deck might stop 8"shells, but it won't stop shells from BB's, so it's just a large
useless weight you're carrying around. It'll help some in the AP immunity zone but
you won't be getting there fast enough with its weight slowing you down.

If you'd understood my T&T post you'd have understood that it's just criminally
stupid to recommend anyone not to use at least 0.2" of belt in today's NF.

Bulge is largely a matter of priorities. If you fear subs more than enemy BB's you
load up on it, even if it slows you down.
If you're a "damn the torpedoes" kind of person and want better performance vs
BB's, you take bulge until it starts to slow you down.

Anyway some previous post on torp and armour loadout that was tested for extra
reading

http://www.navyfield.com/board/view.asp?
Num=111353&Sort=D07&Order=re_upday&PageSize=20&Page=1&Ctg_1=&Ctg_2=&Ct
g_3=

http://www.navyfield.com/board/view.asp?
Num=126230&Sort=D07&Order=&PageSize=&Page=&SearchPart=&SearchText=&Ctg_1
=&Ctg_2=&Ctg_3=&Mode=ok&Page2=1

im confuse here ^^

Comparing different load out for Buldge(On USS Maryland)

What we need here is facts to back the loadout advice not personal opinion on the
subject.If anyone is free to test out some load out and bursting some myth.
Here are some of the advice listed by post, credit to the poster.If anyone can provide
the number of torp ,type of type torp to sink USS Maryland,which type of torp boat
used it would be most helpful and benefit everyone reading.Bad advice ok why is it
that bad.

50 Buldge
0.0 - 0.2 Belt
It enough to tank a few stray kita torp spam but a certain high level of dodging is
required to reduce damage.
It is NOT enough to tank SS3 - SS4 Full salvo of torp for IJN / KM / MN subs but able
to tank 5 -7 torp planes torps (IJN/KM).

100 Buldge
0.0 - 0.2 Belt

It enough to tank a bit more stray kita torp spam but a certain mid level of dodging is
required to reduce damage.
It is NOT enough to tank SS3 - SS4 Full salvo of torp for IJN / KM / MN subs without
being sunk or crippled(as in unable to OH) but able to tank 10 torp planes torps.
(IJN/KM)

255 Buldge
0.0 - 0.2 Belt
Able to Tank tank SS3 - SS4 Full salvo of torp for IJN / KM / MN subs without being
sunk or crippled(as in unable to OH)

The reason I make a point here is to protect players from being given bad advice.

In a Maryland you have essentially 2 main choices of rooms, GB and Select/BB. As there
are rarely BB1-3 (or for Maryland you would need BB1-3 and EBB3 or BB1-4 and EBBs), you
are essentially limited to GB. This means you will not be fighting solely BB3s and
planes. You can not compare something simply on its own teir in this game as you will not
go up against only your tier, you will be fighting bb4s, bb5s, bb6s.

With the Maryland you have a colorado mini monty setup with more range, and speed similar
to BB5. A Maryland (despite an inconsistent spread) has the ability to virtually the same
damage as a monty given the chance to get in range, don't give up speed that helps to take
advantage to give you that opportunity. The Maryland has a fantastic turning rate as
well, that goes hand in hand with its speed.

Now if someone wants to discuss BB rooms, Speed is even more important. The slower you go
the more likely you will end up with zero attack. In a normal BB room these days numbers
are limited, and while you are likely fighting a ship closer to the same tier as yours,
you are also more dependent on yourself. If you can not get in range you are in for a lot
of trouble, armor will not help at this point particularly if they can take all day to
switch to AP (if even needed).

The possible highest bombs (German plane) can carry is 8.08" PC 1000 ESAU
AircraftBomb, 4" - 4.5" Deck should be sufficient(against bombers) the trade off here is
still speed. but france bomber is abit higher.

Anyway if anyone is interested in combat testing for armour loadout feel free to whisper
me ingame. Fact checking or myth busting or anything of that sort

4.5" deck actually would protect against 8"s well even at max range.

However, 4.5" deck will NOT protect you with ANY shells. probably not even the KM 11"s
that hits like a CA jajaja

I wouldn't trust 4.5" of US deck to be effective against 8" shells at 40+ degrees. Any
higher angle BB1+ guns (eg: US 12" or any 16" variant, anything IJN, UK 14") are even more
questionable. How often do you see 0s (or greatly reduced damage) come up?

0.2" of belt is very light for the amount of protection it gives against torpedo hits.

More generally, you want to optimize your ship to fight BB456 because that is what you
will primarily face in GB2s.

just to reply to Blazer4show

i quote
4.5" Deck(This is for planes and most shells that land on deck)

Like the statement say its for "planes" and "MOST" shells not ALL shells
i don't remember saying trying to bounce bb4 shells beside a EBB3(BB 3.5) the build
is more for fighting same size ship like BB3 or another EBB3 and "maybe" fight a BB4
.(prefer to compare apple vs apple not apple vs orange)
Beside most BB4 have 45 Angle guns not like armour will do much on maryland

As for my build i don't see why i would need to post it after all this is looking alot like
a flame post once it is posted (sorry i am not a drama guy)

And your right about one thing its not going 40 knots OH i would rather use a sodak
if im running a speed build its alot faster maryland is speed cap anyway no point
trying.

The build is more general purpose would fare better against plane whore and subs.
"The question was what is the best armour to put in maryland" I have only answer
vs sub and vs plane and BB3+(This are possible solution/answer to the question
there can be different kind of build etc etc)

Your entitled to post your best build
I really like the pure build 255 buldge don't think any subs can hurt maryland now
but would question if it is worth putting everything in.

Mine is sort of a hybrid build on how much protection i need in certain areas against
certain types of ship/plane/sub etc it is just my own play style.

As for tanking play UK simple and easy.
Good or bad advise i guess you feel its bad advice so be it.
You are free to post your build let see how well you fare.

disclaimer clause
I do not claim that this a perfect omi uber build that allows you to destroy super star
destroyer , SBB or anything of that kind

@thirteenxiii

"There are good advice there are bad advice.Get blown up a few time.you will know
which are the good advice.You have a choice to choose

Principle for build selective protection.

4.5" Deck(This is for planes and most shells that land on deck)
No Belt(i only see a thin line on the maryland don't think that there is that many
random
chance of getting hit on belt) if it do hit yes it will hurt because there is zero armour

100 buldge(This is for sub .you can go lower depending on how skill you can deal
with
sub)

Your insurance doesn't cover everything it applies to armour as well
Its a trade off between protection vs speed & protection vs displacement(how many
big guns you want to carry).
you would need to balance it on your own play style
"

Most experienced players will consider this bad advice. Here are some of the reasons.

1)4.5" deck - I guarantee this will not bounce BB4 shells (I doubt even KM). While it may
reduce the amount of damage taken it will not be significant.
2)No Belt, Thin line on maryland - Belt is meant for a great deal more than just <20
Degree shells. .2/.3 belt halves Torp damage.
3)100 bulge - bulge should be filled till it affects your speed and dropped one. Ever bit
helps but 100 bulge and 0 belt will do you virtually nothing for an SS3 or SS4, why give
up the speed and the chance to get away.

I'd dare see you post your full setup for Maryland. I see no way with what you have said
before that you can run 4 guns, and 40 knts OH. When I get a chance I may compare your
setup to see just how slow you run, but I will say if you go under 37/38 you've ruined a
good ship.

Think of it this way. BB4 at capped speed 39-44 with shells that you can't bounce, how do
you plan to catch him, to shoot him... while hes ranging you, and damaging you? Keep in
mind, with only 4.5" deck, they're not having to switch to AP, and a Yammy or Iowa at max
angle is going to burn right through that little bit of deck.

As for armor in general, the numbers I hear for UK to bounce BB4 up is somewhere between
9" and 10". Your talking about using half of that with a nation whose armor is not nearly
as durable....