A final report, before a long absence.

With June right around the corner and my real life about to become very busy, I have to step back from this blog for a while. Between some intense training and employment activities, I will be putting this hobby on hold, but I do look forward to returning to this and continuing on, as time permits.

Before I pause current adventures in World of Warships, I want to thank all of those who took the time to read this and the other posts I have made previously. Even if a few people got some entertainment/information value from this endevour, than one of my goals for doing this has been satisfied.

Anyways, on with my final train of thought.

While I struggle to comprehend the changes in the game mechanics concerning the higher tiers, namely with my performance with both the tier VII American Destroyers Mahan and Sims, I am astonished from a somewhat unlikely source, my tier V premium Soviet Destroyer, Gremyashchy.

By far, this is the best game I have had in Ships, period. The most amount of damage delivered, the most amount of damage taken and survived, the most ships destroyed during a single battle. As much as I want to make that broken record claim of "all skill", that would be a lie, I was merely part of an experience that just come all together in my favor.

But, something during that event got me thinking, why was I doing so well with this mid tier Soviet Destroyer, but not so well with my upper tier ones? For the sake of consideration, I present this....

I do realize this game is still in the Beta Testing phase and subject to many possible changes before Open Beta/Release, but this accidental find sure has me wondering about things.

Sadly, there isn't a portable version of World of Warships at this current time, so, with a lack of a computer going with me, I will settle for this Android game I found....

....to keep the salty sea air around me, during my down times.

First sailings with the Mahan and Sims, both Captained by a bonehead.

I will start with the tier VII American Destroyer, Mahan, first. This ship represents a major milestone for me in two ways; one, it's the highest tiered ship I have achieved through the normal playing process of the game. And two, it was the end goal I wanted to achieve before I attempted my first sailing in the same tiered premium Destroyer, USS Sims.

MatchMaker was kind and gave me a fairly reasonable lineup for both teams. Sadly, my eagerness to play brought about poor judgment, I passed up obvious avenues for damage and positioning, producing very sub-par results....

 

Sadly, I didn't learn from my first outing.

With my initial battle in the higher tiers a forgone defeat (I left after I was sunk, the battle went very badly for me team after that) I just jumped back into the fray with my prized ship. History repeated itself and I played recklessly, dismissing my inner voice which said "Remember now, these are more experienced plays, pay attention".

Come on, I am in a Sims, the mighty Destroyer that I have been reading about on the World of Warships forums, a premium scourge of the higher tiers! Yeah, I don't what I was thinking when I attempted to ram a tier VI Japanese Battleship, Fuso....

So, throwing caution to the wind, I barreled into two battles without thinking, performing non-contributory actions for my team and myself.

But, give me credit for being honest and taking the responsibility for my actions.

Closed Beta goals met.

Shortly after I started with the Closed Beta phase of World of Warships, I had set out a few goals for myself. One of them was to get a feel for the way Destroyers are depicted and operated in the game. Another, was to see if I could use them in a ever improving fashion. I think it's safe to say the jury is still deliberating that last one.

I made my first pre-order purchase, the tier V Soviet premium Destroyer, Gremyashchiy, and vowed to "earn" the use of it. I climbed up both the American and Japanese Destroyer lines, unlocking and using the American Nicholas first to accomplish this first mini-goal.

Seeing a high tiered ship is be an investment in my gaming future, I decided to make one last pre-order purchase and picked up the tier VII American premium Destroyer, USS Simms. However, I wanted to "earn" the use of this ship as well and through my leisure schedule of playing....

....I have achieved that. Along the way, news was leaked out about the strong possibility of the Closed Beta Test reward ship was to be an American battleship, coming in at tier IV. At the time I found this out, only the Japanese had these ships and I went down their line to get a feel of what I could possibly acquire at a latter date.

I played through the line, only using earned experience for my progress and completed my journey to the tier V battleship Kongo. Then, with the introduction of the American Battleship line with 3.1, I started the process again....

So, this is where I sit now. I have accomplished both my Destroyer goals and earn to privilege of their use (this is only my standard, having the tech tier ingame asset before purchasing/using a similar premium vehicle, unless it's a direct giveaway or promotion). With news of the CBT Battleship, I played down two lines to be prepared, that's if I qualify for one.

I finish these tasks with time to spare. See, in a very short while, my game time will become almost non-existent due to real life work/training commitments. So, I have spent this last while positioning myself, for when I have time to play, ready to jump back into the action and excitement.

There is an old saying "make sure your house is in order, before leaving for long periods of time".

Too bad I couldn't hire a housekeeper....

The Mighty Albany!

For an experiment in giggles, I decided to purchase the tier II premium American Cruiser Albany. I have read, quite a few times, that the Albany was a terrible ship, a strong underperformer, a waste of premium currency and a port slot, in general.

Sounded like something I wanted to check out for myself.

So, I bought one....

....put an unskilled Captain in charge and installed one Upgrade....

....clicked the battle button and waited the longest time in queue I have experienced yet.

From my perspective, MatchMaker did a reasonable job of putting both teams together, placing me right in the middle of the battle-tiers. Now, in all honesty, the guns did underperfrom against the higher tiered battleships. Against the other Cruisers and Destroyers, I fared better but still was a bit of an underdog....or so I thought....

True, it was a defeat for my team, but considering it was my first battle, I am rather impressed with myself. Perhaps, I just got lucky....

On to new waters.

Completing one final battle, thanks to it being a victory and part of the X5 experience special running this Memorial Day weekend, I have moved up to the Wyoming class Battleship in the American line.

As I have done in the past, I leave behind the South Carolina with an "Elite" status before making my next purchase....

....that came with a rather nice discount. Now, I have moved into the territory of where the Closed Beta Test reward ship will be coming from. Time to get acquainted with possible future surroundings and teams.

Okay, that doesn't look so scary....

....yeah, the learning has just started for me, here.

The writing on the wall.

Something I stumbled across from the Russian Portal....

Myth №3. PTA members receive no decals and gifts PTA members receive no decals and gifts
 

As is the case with active alpha testers who received a unique Japanese cruiser Iwaki, we have laid a special gift for members of PTA.  And if Iwaki is distinguished by its great speed and maneuverability - this is one of the few cruisers in the game, able to put dymzavesu - the new gift will please the testers very different combat characteristics.

 In gratitude for their help in testing active PTA participants will receive an American battleship IV level.  Another distinct advantage - a special status on the official game forum, which highlights all the participants of the alpha and beta.  In the vast community of World of Warships such status - the best recommendation and convincing proof of your gaming experience and skills.

Source: http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=auto&tl=en&u=http%3A%2F%2Fworldofwarships.ru%2Fru%2Fnews%2Fcommon%2F5_myths%2F

Now, I wonder what it will finally be?

Taking the South Carolina to battle.

With the arrival of the American Battleship line, it's time to climb up a few tiers, just to get some practice in for when the Closed Beta Test ship comes, if it is still going to be the tier IV-V of the same nation and line that has been touted, for a while now.

Although I had spent some time in the Japanese counterparts and having unlocked the Kongo at tier V, it was time to make the switch and try to compare the two lines, at the same levels of advancement. Putting numbers a side, it feels like the Japanese Battleships were better, thus far.

For me, the guns felt more accurate on the IJN offerings, but I have discovered the South Carolina, despite being only a tier III, can take a lot of punishment. But, that isn't the only difference I have noticed. The very game has changed now, gone are the days of 3.0 and new system of refinements and tweaking has been introduced with 3.1.

First, the gun sounds are very different and the game feels, I am not sure how to explain this, the game feels off. Almost like the whole linear timing of everything is slower somehow. And, the weapons seem to do a lot more damage. As I have brought up before, torpedoes aren't nearly as forgiving in 3.1 as they were in 3.0, be it with my Destroyers or my new experimentation with American Battleships.

Nevertheless, I will push on and up, trying to explore and improve my skills with this new line of ships, since if I do qualify for a reward ship, it's going to be one of my earlier credit generators. Plus, it is such a radical departure from the Destroyer playstyle that I have been very actively developing, from cruising a high speed and juking with erratic maneuvers to the slow, lumbering long range gun platform that is the Battleships to me. It would seem not only to I have to readjust the learning curve between the two different classes of ship, but also the nations from which they come from.

Trading in the sushi for apple pie, I suppose.

Just taking some shoreleave.

In the meantime, here is a screenshot of my fully upgraded tier VI Farragut sailing with a friendly tier VIII Sims. I can't wait to "earn" my way into mine.

3.1, what I like and what I don't.

One of the new things in World of Warships I do like, is the queue screen. I have heard of (and done on a few occasions) played a little side game called "queue jumping/gaming the queue". It is a fairly simple game to play, I will explain it. First, pick whatever you want and click battle. Then, take the information from the queue screen, such as vehicle type and gauge the most populated tiers, exit the queue and select the vehicle you want, based on this new information.

Depending on the type of player you are, your new choice will either place you into a more populated tier spread, where you would stand a much better chance at collecting credits and experience, since there would be more potential players for both teams. Or, perhaps you are the type who will use this information to place yourself in a much better position to dominate the match, since you will try to be the highest possible tier in the battle that MatchMaker will give you.

Now, with the new screen, that will no longer be possible. Frankly, I grew tired of trying to game the system and haven't bothered in such a long time. Just load up and clicked, let the cards fall where they may.

It maybe a little thing, but I find the oil and fuel stain on the water, after ship sinks to be a nice touch.

I am also pleased the American Battleships have arrived. I had been experimenting with the Japanese offerings before, trying to get a feel for what the Closed Beta Tester ship could be like, but now the line from which it is claimed to be coming from is now here, I think it would make more sense to switch to them.

With all of the upgrades to my tier VI Farragut complete, now just on the final push towards the tier VII Mahan, I am seeing a lot more higher tiered battles. It feels like a switch was flicked and I went from playing with what I have gotten used to, almost comfortable, to testing my limited skillbase with much more experienced players. The price I pay for progress, I suppose.

Another thing I am not liking much, torpedoes are just downright devastating now. Unlike before, where I could cruise along in my Destroyers, taking a few hits and continue in the fight. Now, forget it. I already have lost count the number of times my bow has been blown clean off or had my ships split in two. To me, this is a huge change from 3.0 and I need to get on the adapt quickly mindset.

Sink or swim, is how the old saying goes, I think.

Tada, 3.1 is now here.

So, without any notice on the North America portal and thanks to some very observant players on the forums, 3.1 is now active in all regions. The download was around 2.6 gigabytes, with a few extra little patches for supplementary packages.

Here are a few details of the new level 7, since level 6 was the highest achievable from 3.0.

Following the same path as World of Tanks and World of Warplanes, individual achievements for the service record have been added. Looking foreword to picking these up as I continue on through my Ships career.

While I had hoped to be at the 200 battle mark when 3.1 dropped, meh this will do. The upside is I have shown some improvement since the last time I posted my record....

....and just perhaps, there is hope for me yet.

The the released version of the fuller Japanese tech tree looks a lot different than the screen captures from the stream....

....I wonder why the tier IV premium Battleship Ishizuchi wasn't invited to play?

The visual changes to the port are just breathtaking, although I already miss the look and feel of the old one. Kinda funny, how one can get used to things in a very short period of time.

And finally, it would seem my Gremyashchy has picked up a name on the hull now too.