IJN Asama

The IJN Asama is a Tier II Cruiser of the Imperial Japanese Navy.

In game description:
A British built vessel for Japan, Asama had a very long career. Completed in 1889, she served during the Russo-Japanese war and served during the Battle of Tsushima. The ship didn't see much action during World War I, and was later classified as a defence ship in 1921 and a training ship in 1942. Her career finally ended following the Japanese surrender in 1945, and scrapped in 1947.

In game:
In game, the Asama is a somewhat formidable cruiser of her tier, having an an average health for her tier as a cruiser after her As an armoured cruiser, she boasts a powerful secondary armament which can do as much as double the damage output of the ship. However she does have sluggish mobility for a cruiser at 21 knots due to it being an armoured cruiser. As a cruiser, she will succumb to Battleships within four salvoes and that a full salvo will almost certainly kill.

She is best played either as a ship used for brawling, charging the enemy until you reach within the optimal 4.2km range where she can utilise her high maximum DPM as well as minimise the effects of her dispersion from her main guns, do note however that during the charge a large amount of your health may be lost. The player can also choose to shoot from the maximum range of the 203mms at 8km and utilise cover, however its damage output would plummet as a result and may not be as efficient in grinding as brawling may be, though you will outrange regular battleships by a kilometer.

Overall, she is still a decent cruiser for a Tier II and is a good ships to grind with the Japanese Cruiser line despite her distinct playstyle and a good stepping stone to the Battleship line, and can somewhat hold her ground if done right.

Pros:

 * Average manoeuvrability
 * Belt armour enough to bounce all tier 1 AP shells and low caliber shells.
 * Good gun DPM at ranges ≤4.2km

Cons:

 * Sluggish mobility for a cruiser
 * Maximum DPM can only be achieved at dangerously close distances.