What cruiser line to choose?

World of Warships Guides

Cruisers of what nation to choose for leveling?

Japanese cruisers

Excellent ships with a small silhouette, powerful artillery and high-explosive shells with an increased chance of a fire. As a bonus, Japanese cruisers equipped with long-range torpedoes. Premium tier 8 cruiser Atago can be considered one of the best cruiser in the game (taking into account the level of fights, of course). It has all the advantages of IJN tech line analogs, and as a pleasant bonus  "Party repair team", which allows you to restore lost HP points.

In general, the Japanese cruisers are good for new players, because they can simply spam enemy ships with HE shells and torpedoes. Low silhouette allows you to dodge the volleys of battleships. One of the main disadvantages of Japanese cruisers is weak air defense.

American Cruisers

Unlike the Japanese, high-level American cruisers don't equip with torpedoes, but armor-piercing shells have improved normalization, and therefore it is better to penetrate enemy cruisers broadsides. In addition, the American cruisers have powerful Defense AA fire and Surveillance Radar. Natural born DD hunters and killers of enemy CV's air-groups.   A good option to start meeting with a cruiser class.

USSR Cruisers

Huge, cardboard and clumsy ships with bad concealment but powerful and high rate of fire guns. Typical support ships of second and third line. Due to the high rate of fire and with equipped hydro-acoustic search, Soviet cruisers up to the VIII level are perfectly suited for killing destroyers. Up to the VIII level, the Soviet cruisers are especially effective when playing with HE shells, armor-piercing shells is devastating at short and medium distances for enemy cruisers citadels. Heavy tier IX cruiser Dmitri Donskoi and tier X Moskva are able to knock out enemy citadels from a distance of up to 15 km.

Soviet cruisers carry not worse than other cruisers. However, due to the aforementioned disadvantages, the Soviet cruisers are quite difficult to use. Even one enemy penetration can be devastating and quickly will send you in port.

German cruisers

Main features of German Cruisers branch are excellent armor-piercing shells, high rate guns and powerful hydro acoustic search.  High-tier German cruisers have a good armor and can hold battleship volleys, knocking out a citadel of high-tier German cruiser is not easy.

In general, the Germans have very interesting ships and many ways to use them in different situations, game-play which you will certainly enjoy.

British Cruisers

When British light cruiser line was released - British cruisers was most unusual cruisers in the game. Absolutely no armor, disgusting ballistics, no high-explosive shells, citadels above waterline at the IX-X level (HE shells available for Belfast tier VII premium cruiser), but with incredible armor piercing shells normalization, the Party Repair Team and the Smoke Generator.

Unlike the cruisers of other nations, which any skill level player can safely take and level up regardless of game experience, British light cruisers are designed for skillful players and in the hands of experienced players can literally annihilate everything around. It is strongly recommended not to choose British cruisers as your first ships for researching in World of Warships.

French cruisers

Low and Mid-tier light French cruisers are basically "glass-cannon" ships with good speed and good HE shells. Hight tier French Cruisers belong to the class of heavy cruisers with fast turning towers, good shell ballistics, excellent armor penetration and good DPS when playing with armor-piercing shells. High-explosive shells are perfectly for igniting enemy battleships. High speed, with the possibility of using the " Engine Boost" equipment from the VI level, and long-range torpedoes. French cruisers are excellent as a support ship of second and third line for hunting destroyers, kiting enemy battleships and helping ally fleet dealing with enemy battleships

Short summary

Despite the frequent statements that the class of cruisers is ideal for beginners, practice shows that this is not exactly true. This class is very sensitive to player's mistakes; cruiser can die in first minutes literally from a couple of volleys of enemy battleship or even a cruiser. And unlike the destroyer, most cruisers do not have smoke to hide or hide their retreat. However, as you play more on this ships your experience and skills will grow, and playing cruisers will become more interesting, effectively and fun. But if you anyway decided to start playing cruisers pay attention to US and Japanese line - all-around good and universal ships. Good start for mastering this class of warships. 

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