IBUKI

Country
Japan

Class
Cruiser

MMweight
9.6

Obtain Method
Tech Tree

Arena rating

B

PVP rating

C

Ibuki was laid down as the successor of Mogami-class cruisers, but was converted to a light aircraft carrier. Ibuki is the Japanese top tier heavy cruiser. Ibuki has 5×2 203 mm guns in a similar turret configuration with Mogami. The second turret can’t fire directly forward but the third turret has much better firing angle than Takao. Ibuki has long range, high shell velocity, and high accuracy which makes it capable of fighting at a safe distance. The dispersion pattern is more vertical than other Japanese cruisers which means it’s less effective at punishing broadside targets at long range. It does have great accuracy so at shorter range the dispersion pattern doesn’t matter. Ibuki can deal massive damage over time due to being able to consistently hit targets at any range. Ibuki’s shell arc is flat, so it’s hard to lob shells from behind island.

Ibuki’s armor is really bad, most battleships can delete it from any angle. Ibuki has decent concealment for a heavy cruiser, but some cruisers have better detection range so a lot of caution is needed. Ibuki’s strength lies on its fast speed, good maneuverability, and short freeboard. At long range, it’s easy to dodge shells. Ibuki also has plenty of torpedoes. Ibuki is a dangerous cruiser when kiting.

Playstyle

At the start of the battle, sail to a flank. Don’t sail too forward. Don’t get yourself spotted first. Remember, shooting will increase your detectability range so don’t do that unless you absolutely need to. If the enemy is spotted, let your battleships shoot the enemy first. Just like all cruisers, you need to find a good island to hide while still being able to lob shells. Ideally, you want to be able to lob shells to the enemy but the enemy can’t see or shoot you back. If you’re getting shot, just move closer to the island to hide or run away.

Finding a suitable island can be hard because of its flat shell arc. If there’s no such island, Ibuki can be played in open water. If you’re fighting in open water, you must stay at more than 13 km from enemy battleship. Angle your ship away from the enemy (kiting position). Speed juke to dodge shells. You can try this simple speed juke tactic: sail at 1/4 speed when the enemy isn’t shooting, accelerate to full speed when the enemy shoots at you (use engine overload consumable if needed), reverse if the enemy shoots in front of your ship. Turn your ship to increase its effectiveness. If the enemy is chasing you, drop your torpedoes too. Don’t show broadside and don’t bowtank the enemy. If your HP is low, just run away and stop shooting. Once you get out of your basic detection range, you won’t be spotted anymore.

To maximize your effectiveness, try to create a crossfire with your teammates. If your teammate is tanking, you sail to the side of the enemy ship and shoot at their broadside. This cruiser has fast speed so you must use it to find a good position quickly.

Ibuki can be used to ambush an enemy. This move is very risky and requires more practice. Ideally, the enemy is bowtanking, not maneuvering, and is currently taking cover from behind an island. Use that island to hide yourself as you move closer. Quietly approach the enemy that’s on the other side of the island. If possible, try to not get spotted. After you clear the island, drop your torpedoes to the enemy. Remember, you can only launch torpedoes to the back so at this position you’re very vulnerable to get citadeled. Immediately sail away at full speed, turn your ship to the left and right to dodge shells. If you’re already at 13 km or more, start kiting and speed juke as usual.

In a CV battle, always stay close to allied ships (especially BBs and CV) so you can protect each other with overlapping AA. You have fast shell velocity, so you don’t need to get close to the enemy anyway.

Is it worth to buy?

Ibuki is a strong sniper and can also be used for spamming torpedoes. The bad armor makes it very risky to be played by inexperienced players especially in PVP.

Ibuki is a tech tree ship. If you want to get it, you just have to grind it. No need to spend money. It’s worth to grind if you have enough experience playing cruisers.

Strengths
Long range, high velocity and accurate guns, fast speed, good maneuverability, short freeboard, has torpedoes, has fighter planes.
Weaknesses
Slow turret rotation speed, bad armor, bad AA
Consumables
Elite DC, elite repair (4 charges), anti-air barrage (4 charges) / seaplane quick servicing (4 charges)
General playstyle
Kiting, sniping, flanking, ambushing
Role/specialty
Damage dealer
Preferred enemy target
Cruiser, BB, DD

Recommended Build

Equipment
Slot 1: adv. disaster retardant module
Slot 2: engine enhancement module
Slot 3: cruiser aiming system module
Consumables
Slot 1: elite damage control
Slot 2: elite repair
Slot 3: elite anti-air barrage
Crew Skills (after basic skill)
Captain: artillery warning – boost morale- hull protection
Gun: crack gunner – high speed aiming – burn the ship behind
Engine: quick shift – adv. quick shift – steering master
Damage control: buoyancy reserve – emergency flooding – extinguish
Torpedo: engine maintenance – excess charge – weak point attack

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