How to better employ fast battleships

[Spitfire I]

Hi guys,

which is the best way to use the fast battleships, like PoW, Washington, South Dakota, ecc? I mean, in surface group or as escort for carriers?

[Jorge_Stanbury]

Without question; carrier escort

All fast battleship have beast AA capabilities, and some of the striking aircraft will target them instead of the more vulnerable carriers

up until later in the game, fast batteships are scarce, so I won't advice risking them for anything else; later on, when you have a lot, maybe.. dilemma will remain because you will also have a lot of carriers to cover

also: that is the main reason the Japanese spent humongous amounts of cash in rebuilding the old Kongos; to provide battleship escort to their kido buttai

[Lokasenna]

I like using them for big dakka.

I've got CLAAs and CLs for AA defense.

[Jorge_Stanbury]

I also have CLAAs on the carrier TF [;)]

in my experience, Kates and Vals very seldom select CLAAs for target, while going after BBs is common

and if be luck or fate, I have the carrier TF facing Yamato and Musashi in naval combat, I would prefer to have some BBs bodyguards

of course different opinions

[Lokasenna]

ORIGINAL: Jorge_Stanbury

I also have CLAAs on the carrier TF [;)]

in my experience, Kates and Vals very seldom select CLAAs for target, while going after BBs is common

and if be luck or fate, I have the carrier TF facing Yamato and Musashi in naval combat, I would prefer to have some BBs bodyguards

of course different opinions

There are usually enough for both jobs

[Mundy]

ORIGINAL: Lokasenna

I like using them for big dakka.

I've got CLAAs and CLs for AA defense.

Very orky of you.


[:D]

[traskott]

I use to deploy CAs and CLAAs to escort carriers. Fast battleships use to be used in SAG which can be used as escort of preciousssss CVs T.F.s or to engage japanese T.F....

Old bbs: Escort amphibious TF, bombardment, escort troops convoys.
Fast BBs: Surface combat. CV escort if no good AA platform available.
Old CAs: Escorts troops/Air groups convoys, escort amphibious group, surface combat
Old CLs: Raiders, Escort troop convoys, Surface combat in secondary fronts, cannon fodder.
Modern CAs/USN CAs: Escort carriers, amphibious TFs.
Modern CLs: Surface combat.
CLAAs: With Carriers or fast BBs.

[Spitfire I]

Thank you for your opinions

[CaptBeefheart]

Those fast BBs can come in handy for surface fights, but if one isn't imminent, I'd use them mainly in CV TFs. Once I have plenty of them (say mid-43), I like setting up a 3-4 BB TF for the CVs to follow into harm's way.

Cheers,
CB

[RangerJoe]

Set up a small SCTF with a good leader. It could also be an ASW TF. Have your fast BBs and good CA/CLs escort the carriers. If it looks like you might get into a surface fight or have had the big air battle and want to destroy enemy cripples, then put the fast and relatively undamaged BBs into the SCTF. Enjoy the fireworks. Do it with several of them to have good CAs and CLs also participate in the fun.

[CaptBeefheart]

ORIGINAL: RangerJoe

Set up a small SCTF with a good leader. It could also be an ASW TF. Have your fast BBs and good CA/CLs escort the carriers. If it looks like you might get into a surface fight or have had the big air battle and want to destroy enemy cripples, then put the fast and relatively undamaged BBs into the SCTF. Enjoy the fireworks. Do it with several of them to have good CAs and CLs also participate in the fun.

Good idea, RangerJoe.

Cheers,
CB