KRONSHTADT

Country
Soviet

Class
Cruiser

MMweight
9.0

Obtain Method
Rank Point/Prism

Arena rating

D

PVP rating

C

Kronshtadt is a heavy cruiser project from Soviet Navy. It was designated as Project 69. It was laid down but never completed. Prototype of the armament hasn’t been completed when it was laid down, that’s why the Soviet Navy ordered 380 mm guns from German. In this game, Kronshtadt has 305 mm gun and 380 mm gun options.

Even though the 305 mm option has more guns (nine compared to six), it has lower accuracy than the 380 mm option. This was offset by much higher shell velocity. The air drag is also not that big compared to other battlecruisers with similar caliber. These factors make the penetration pretty good for its caliber. Even though the accuracy is bad, it tends to spread horizontally. This gun option is still good for punishing broadsiding cruisers.

The 380 mm guns are only six in 3×2 configuration. Since it lacks guns, the damage output is low. In exchange, its accuracy is one of the best among cruisers. It has long range, but the air drag is very high. The air drag causes the shells to slow down a lot and makes aiming at long range targets difficult. Still, having 380 mm caliber makes Kronshtadt very good at punishing broadsiding enemies compared to other cruisers. It can citadel some battleships with ease. Kronshtadt’s 380 mm AP can overmatch and citadel many cruisers from the front.

Kronshtadt has strong armor for a cruiser complemented with large HP. Battleships can still penetrate it with AP from the front, but the damage is rarely critical unless you’re broadsiding. If slightly angled, Kronshtadt can bounce even 460 mm guns. Kronshtadt has thick transversal bulkhead armor in front of the citadel which prevents it from getting citadeled from the front. However, because this bulkhead armor doesn’t extend to the deck, battleship AP shell that hits the upper bow will not be stopped by that bulkhead, resulting in high damage.

Kronshtadt has bad acceleration, bad maneuverability, slow speed, and bad concealment. It’s a very easy target to shoot. Even against cruisers, Kronshtadt is prone to get outdamaged in return fire. Not to mention the cruiser can just outspot Kronshtadt and let the battleship kill it. On the other hand, Kronshtadt has long range radar consumable. The radar consumable can be very useful to detect stealthy ships and prevent it from being ambushed.

Playstyle

Kronshtadt has two types of guns. Both gun options has their strengths and weaknesses. I recommend you to pick the 305 mm caliber option if you’re still inexperienced at aiming. The high shell velocity will help you aim. Also since the dispersion is horizontal, even though your aim is poor, some of the shells will still hit the target if he’s broadsiding.

If your aiming skill is good, 380 mm caliber option is recommended. With its high accuracy and penetration, Kronshtadt can deliver large amount of damage even at long range. A battleship won’t last long if it’s broadsiding in front of Kronshtadt. However, if your aim is poor, your shots will miss completely.

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.

Since Kronshtadt is a big ship, finding a good island is often impossible. If there’s no such island, fight in open water at more than 14 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, reverse if the enemy shoots in front of your ship. Turn your ship away to increase its effectiveness. If the enemy is chasing you, drop your torpedoes too. Don’t show broadside. 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.

If you’re brave, you can play aggressively. Point your bow towards the enemy, slightly angled. Stay beside an island to cover your citadel. If there’s no island, alter your speed regularly (between half speed and reverse) and turn slightly to the left and right to throw off the enemy’s aim. Ask your teammates to cover you from the side. This playstyle is risky, but if played well will result in higher damage output and better map control.

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.

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 long range, so you don’t need to get close to the enemy anyway.

Is it worth to buy?

Kronshtadt is perhaps the only battlecruiser than can hunt cruisers with its high caliber guns while also having enough protection to not die easily when playing aggressively. The frontal armor is not as sturdy as American heavy cruisers and the DPM is low, but there are ways to work around it.

Kronshtadt is a rank point ship. Rank point is a rare currency. It’s obtainable from ranking up in arena or from limited packs in the shop. Another way to buy Kronshtadt is with prism. However, to get prism you have to spend money. Kronshtadt is not worth to buy.

Strengths
Big caliber guns, good accuracy, good armor, long range, large HP
Weaknesses
Slow reload, bad maneuverability, bad acceleration, big size, bad concealment, slow speed, bad AA, no planes
Consumables
Advanced DC (20 secs duration, 20% dmg reduction), elite repair (3 charges), 15 km radar (4 charges)
General playstyle
Sniping, flanking, pushing
Role/specialty
Damage dealer, offtank
Preferred enemy target
Cruiser, BB

Recommended Build

Equipment
Slot 1: adv. disaster retardant module
Slot 2: engine enhancement module
Slot 3: main battery enhancement module or aiming system module
Consumables
Slot 1: large cruiser advanced damage control
Slot 2: elite repair
Slot 3: elite radar
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: emergency flooding – buoyancy reserve – extinguish

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