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Iowa surprise
01. 29. 2012 16:37
Lionel2
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I was unhappily surprised with the upgrade from sodak to iowa. I found that the ship seems to be a "tweener". It doesn't quite have the range that I need to deal with bigger BB. At the same time, its slower, so I can't get into and out of a fight like I could before. My current setup is:
Iowa
3 16/50 Ns with light shells ( I started with normal and switched hopping the range would be better; turned out to be about 1/4 of an inch)
3 high level engineers giving a max speed of 39
Sodak
3 16/45 Ls with normal shells
3 high level engineers giving a max speed of 47
Maryland
4 16/45 with normal shells
3 high level engineers giving a max speed of 39
SO, the Iowa as I have it is giving me slightly more range than the Sodak, at the cost of a ton of speed, so as before I could pick out an isolated enemy, get into range, and then win a gunfight by getting more hits faster, now I'm taking a pounding getting into range. Or, I have similar speed to Maryland, but I've got a way bigger hitbox and although I get the first shot off at a longer range, the maryland can really knock ships off fast with the extra 3 guns.
I have a few ideas to try, tell me what you think
1) Put on the L model. They are a lot heavier and my speed will drop down to something like 35. I just hang back and wait for the enemy to come to me. I much prefer to AA the scouts, move into the shadows and attack, but I guess I could do this.
2) Put on only the front two L turrets. My speed jumps into the 40s. I can get into range, shoot and get out. But I don't have a lot of broadside weight.
3) Put on the D model, hope my spead improves to low 40s and play like a sodak
4) Put on the sodak L guns and really get the speed up and play it exactly like a sodak.
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Re : Iowa surprise
01. 29. 2012 17:32
KingCong
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The most noticeable upgrade from the sodak is the spread. Also the extra range and support should be nice. Worth the speed trade-off.
35 is normal at level and as you mention 3 engineers. Just keep at it and try to aim for that 42 knots and master sling shotting. That is when the Iowa really shines.
Until then, option 2, or maryland and eat lesser BBs in GB and play guam style.
I would suggest taking the longest range setup once you hit 38-39 knots. Just avoid Soviet BB45, L2, Monties, and 44s. You should be able to fight everything else pretty easily.
Also try to find another engineer.
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Re : Iowa surprise
01. 29. 2012 18:03
normpearii
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USN BBs should always have 4-5 engys minimum. Thats your first problem.
Also 39 @ lvl is pretty good. Most people start off @ 35. You want the extra overheat that more engineers will give you. Also get used to going slower. Sodak is tied for second fastest BB in the game. Your going to get slower not faster from now on.
You should nothing you can firing @ greater firing archs, (you can be 80 degrees to the enemy ship and still fire all 3 guns forward toward them)
Also, the Iowa turns faster, allowing you to dodge shells better. Sodak was fast, but turned like the titanic.
The Iowa has the slimmest hit-box of all the BBs in the game. The next slimmest is the Vanguard. This makes it very hard to be hit when used right.
Though the Iowa's 16" Don't hit as hard as they used to. (pre BB34AA and BB5 DP patches the Iowa salvo was only 1k less than the Yammy's and could one shot BB5s) You still one shot most BB1-4s.
Spread is much better at level compared to sodak's at level spread.
Light ammo should be used on CAs and BBs. CAs and BB1-4 should be 1 bind of Ap and rest LHE (Light). BB5 and 6 should be 1 AP and 4 HE (You only need AP if ships get too close. IF you hold your range you can penetrate 12+" of UK Deck with the Montana and Nebraska. Iowa doesn't have such an advantage, you will need AP to fight armored ships.
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Re : Iowa surprise
01. 29. 2012 18:09
CabaL90
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can anyone give me a difference between No. Cal and Iowa?
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Re : Iowa surprise
01. 29. 2012 18:17
KingCong
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Originally Posted by CabaL90
can anyone give me a difference between No. Cal and Iowa?
One is a BB3 and the other is a BB4 Iowa, being a higher tier ships has higher dp, displacement, firepower, and range. In this particular case, Iowa is faster, better turning, firing arc, better FCS, more plane space, and above all else, spread. That is pretty much every single aspect of a battleship.
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Re : Iowa surprise
01. 29. 2012 20:13
normpearii
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Originally Posted by KingCong
Originally Posted by CabaL90
can anyone give me a difference between No. Cal and Iowa?
One is a BB3 and the other is a BB4 Iowa, being a higher tier ships has higher dp, displacement, firepower, and range. In this particular case, Iowa is faster, better turning, firing arc, better FCS, more plane space, and above all else, spread. That is pretty much every single aspect of a battleship.
1 correction Iowa is Slower than both the Norcal and Sodak Iowa: 25/42 Sodak: 28/47 NorCal: 27/45 The turning force difference, makes up for being slightly slower.
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Re : Iowa surprise
01. 29. 2012 22:07
Lionel2
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I'm running my L114 CV gunners on it, so the spread even on Sodak wasn't too bad and the reload time is decent. My crew looks like this:
2 Reloaders for AA L90s EBVE
3 Repairers L80s EBVE
1 Engineer L73 BVE
1 Engineer L118 BVE
1 Engineer L106 EBVE
1 Scout L74 BVE
As a team, I'm pretty darn happy with the 3 repairers. I can survive some heaving beatings and come back from the dead. I'm starting to realize now that although 2 of the engineers are fantastic, that third engineer is really the difference between a good ship and a great ship. I do have a 4th engineer, hes L57 EBVE.
Kong, your right, I need to do something with the engineers. I think my new plan is to take the crew off the Iowa and put the gunners and all 4 engineers on the Guam. I'll then level those guys up (the 57 and L73) through NY and Maryland and Sodak and make them better. Having that other engineer be at least level with the ship should make a huge difference.
I will still be tinkering with the Iowa in the meantime. I like Nompearli's idea with the slim hitbox. I'll need to remember to take enemies head on as opposed to broadside. I think I'm going to tinker with option 2 and see what happens with just the 2 front turrets and all LHE ammo. Then maybe if that isn't turning out too hot, toss on the back turret and see.
Thanks guys, I really needed that help. I think by sacrificing a little now to improve engineers, it will help a lot more for future montana.
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Re : Iowa surprise
01. 30. 2012 00:18
megabstr
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i dont know if anyone mentioned this since i've only glanced thru the replies.
the only proper gun set for iowa is the lvl 91 Ls, giving you a range at somewhere between L1 and H39 in terms of BB4s.
always use light shells. That 1/4 of an inch is like the difference between you and a L1 - which is a very significant difference at bb345.
like someone said. iowa has probably the skinniest hitbox in the game and its just very hard for others to get a good hit on you.
so yes, level up that 4th engy and make sure you are using the correct engine for iowa (the one with something like 233k horsepower). Be light on the bulge since the thin profile makes dodging torps easier too.
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Re : Iowa surprise
01. 30. 2012 14:38
Lionel2
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Originally Posted by megabstr
i dont know if anyone mentioned this since i've only glanced thru the replies.
the only proper gun set for iowa is the lvl 91 Ls, giving you a range at somewhere between L1 and H39 in terms of BB4s.
always use light shells. That 1/4 of an inch is like the difference between you and a L1 - which is a very significant difference at bb345.
like someone said. iowa has probably the skinniest hitbox in the game and its just very hard for others to get a good hit on you.
so yes, level up that 4th engy and make sure you are using the correct engine for iowa (the one with something like 233k horsepower). Be light on the bulge since the thin profile makes dodging torps easier too.
Right on. I took some of the other guys advice and found that you were right on too. I put on just the front 2 turrets with Ls and found that my range did jump another 1/4 inch or more. It increased my speed from 39 to a respectable 43 when I minimized the bulge. You were right on with the engines (233k one). My first game, I started weaving in, out of the line so that either my bow or stern was facing the enemy line, and using just the 2 front turrets allowed me to aquire and shoot faster. Despite being alone against L2 and H44 I was able to land some good hits and survive quite a while.
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Re : Iowa surprise
01. 31. 2012 00:21
EricIdle
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"3 16/50 Ns with light shells ( I started with normal and switched hopping the range would be better; turned out to be about 1/4 of an inch)
3 high level engineers giving a max speed of 39"
Your two problems. The N guns for sure don't give you an edge over the Sodak L guns. Wait two more levels until you get the Iowa L guns.
and yes, as said above, your three engies... what's even worse is that they are very different in level. If you look up Adalbert's formulae, you'll find that your lowest level engy is even dragging down the two higher level ones. You might actually be better off just running the two 100+...
You shouldn't be aiming to have the two other engies "at least level with the ship", but ON THE SAME LEVEL as the other two engies. Otherwise you'd be shooting yourself in the foot (eng total ability-wise).
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Re : Iowa surprise
01. 31. 2012 09:57
Lionel2
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Originally Posted by EricIdle
"3 16/50 Ns with light shells ( I started with normal and switched hopping the range would be better; turned out to be about 1/4 of an inch)
3 high level engineers giving a max speed of 39"
Your two problems. The N guns for sure don't give you an edge over the Sodak L guns. Wait two more levels until you get the Iowa L guns.
and yes, as said above, your three engies... what's even worse is that they are very different in level. If you look up Adalbert's formulae, you'll find that your lowest level engy is even dragging down the two higher level ones. You might actually be better off just running the two 100+...
You shouldn't be aiming to have the two other engies "at least level with the ship", but ON THE SAME LEVEL as the other two engies. Otherwise you'd be shooting yourself in the foot (eng total ability-wise).
My gunners are L114. It isn't an issue with spread or ability, its an issue with weight. I ended up going with a two turret L arraingment. As far as the engineers go, I read aldabert and I know that adding that one really low level engineer knocks off a knot of speed. Even with him off the ship, it doesn't matter as it was too still too slow with just the 2 engineers. I'm back to using an EBB1 to push the other engineers up. I'm a CV player first, BB player second, so if I end up not using it again for a while until the engineers catch up its no big deal. Thanks for the advice.
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