NORFOLK

Country
United States of America (USA)

Class
Cruiser

MMweight
7.5

Obtain Method
Gem

Arena rating

B

PVP rating

B

Norfolk is a modification from Baltimore-class cruisers with 305 mm guns and better AA. Norfolk has the same guns as found in Guam and Alaska, but in double turrets. Norfolk’s DPM is low because it only has six guns. However, it has very high accuracy and long range. Norfolk’s guns have good penetration. It can citadel lower tier battleships at long range. Norfolk’s gun performance is still good against higher tier ships, but the low DPM might get it outgunned. The slow shell velocity makes aiming hard, which contradicts the range and accuracy advantage that this ship has compared to other ships.

Norfolk has slightly less armor than Baltimore. Norfolk can take huge chunks of damage from battleship. Only with good angling, the amount of damage received by the belt armor can be reduced. Thankfully, it has good turret firing angle. Angling with this ship is not hard. This makes Norfolk’s effective armor actually decent.

Norfolk’s speed is rather slow and the concealment is mediocre, but the maneuverability is good. Norfolk’s AA is very good, the raw stats are second only to Tiger C20. Norfolk also has fighter planes and centralized anti-air consumable for additional defenses. This AA suite combined with good firepower makes Norfolk the best AA cruiser in its tier. In a non-CV battle, Norfolk can equip radar consumable. The effectiveness of radar is questionable, but at least it can prevent from being ambushed.

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. You need to find a big island to hide. Ideally, you want to be able to lob shells to the enemy but the enemy can’t see or shoot you back. Shoot only after you get into a good position. If you’re getting shot, just move closer to the island to hide or run away.

If there’s no such island, fight in open water 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, reverse if the enemy shoots in front of your ship. Turn your ship away to increase its effectiveness. Don’t show broadside. If you can’t dodge the enemy’s shells, try to take them on the belt while angling. 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.

In a CV battle, equip centralized anti-air firepower consumable. The way to play Norfolk in a CV battle is to move to a position where it can protect many allies, creating overlapping AA bubbles, and make the enemy CV afraid to attack. If the enemy is within your range, you can shoot. Keep angling and speed juking. If you’re not confident with your safety, don’t shoot and just find a good position first. After all, in CV battle your primary job is AA protection not dealing damage. You have battleships for that role.

Is it worth to buy?

Norfolk is not a popular ship due to low DPM. However if your aim is good, it can inflict huge amount of damage in each salvo. Norfolk is also very useful in CV battle. It still has typical cruiser weaknesses so don’t be too aggressive with it.

Norfolk is a gem ship. If you want to get it, you need to save gems from daily missions and events. It’s worth to buy if you like playing low tier cruisers and battlecruisers. If you don’t, save your gems.

Strengths
High caliber guns with good range, good accuracy, good penetration, and good damage. Good turret firing angle. Great AA. Decent armor. Has fighter planes
Weaknesses
Slow reload, slow shell velocity, slow speed
Consumables
Elite DC, elite repair (3 charges), 11 km radar (4 charges) / centralized anti-air firepower (unlimited)
General playstyle
Kiting, flanking
Role/specialty
Damage dealer, wide AA protection
Preferred enemy target
BB, cruiser, plane

Recommended Build

Equipment
Slot 1: adv. disaster retardant module
Slot 2: engine enhancement module
Slot 3: aiming system module
Consumables
Slot 1: elite damage control
Slot 2: elite repair
Slot 3: elite radar or centralized anti-air firepower
Crew Skills (after basic skill)
Captain: artillery warning – hull protection – boost morale
Gun: crack gunner – high speed aiming – ADA enhancement – burn the ship behind
Engine: quick shift – adv. quick shift – steering master
Damage control: buoyancy reserve – emergency flooding

Back to cruiser reviews