Or are they? With the opening of open beta testing, many new players are experiencing the game for the first time. Before creating a topic, I'd like to ask players to take note of a few specific threads: [Basics] AA mechanics - Why is this thread important? - It helps players understand how the AA system works and to use it to your advantage when defending against torpedo and dive bombers.
[Guide] Basic CV gameplay - Why is this thread important? - It not only teaches you how to play carriers (and understand how complex it can get) but also teaches you how to handle carrier attacks as you can learn how carrier players will try to attack you.
[Basics] Damage mechanics - Why is this thread important? - It's useful to know what shells to shoot and when. Also it's helpful for letting you know where to aim and what actually happens when you take massive damage from a single salvo/shot.
Matchmaker - Why is this thread important? - This lets you know what tiers of ships you can expect to face off against. - Very important point. If you mix tiers in a division, you'll always be put into the highest tier match possible. It's not possible to draw high tier ships into low tier matches.
Now to cover some basic points:
This isn't World of Tanks. - Many players will be coming from World of Tanks and whilst the game play may seem initially similar, it's very different. A stationary ship is usually a dead ship as you become a very easy to hit target you can't really play peek-a-boo behind cover. Keep moving and adjust your speed and direction every so often (move in a zig zag). This makes it harder to hit you and throws off the torpedo predictor aim.
Torpedoes have a limit to their range. Make sure you know this limit and don't fire off torpedoes when they have no chance of hitting anything.
Torpedoes are dangerous. Try to avoid firing torpedoes when you have friendly ships between you and the enemy. At some point your friendly ships are going to have to take evasive manoeuvres to avoid being shot and it's very possible they'll need to turn right into where you've fired off your torpedoes.
Your ship speed doesn't affect gun accuracy. There is no need to slow down or stop to shoot.
Every ship shooting at you is NOT overpowered. That's what it will feel like at the start until you learn the combat capabilities of the different classes, you'll then learn in time how to counter them and what to avoid depending on what you're sailing.
World of Warships works on a rock paper scissors system. Basically it means each class has a main counter. - Carriers counter Battleships. Battleships counter Cruisers. Cruisers counter Destroyers. Destroyers can counter anything providing they can get close enough. (Destroyers are probably one of the hardest classes to play as they're fragile). You'll find classes usually engaging each other at the start of battles as it's pretty equal footing and comes down to the skill of landing shots. (Carriers may try to sink each other at the start, Battleships will trade shots with each other, Destroyers will try to hunt each other etc). In most 1 on 1 situations however with different classes, the counter to the class will usually win.
WATCH YOUR MINI MAP - I've put this on caps as it's super important. If you're a Battleship then you must understand that Carrier players are likely to focus you. Because of this you need to be watching for torpedo plane squadrons coming your way. Turning towards them is usually the best tactic, Zig-zagging doesn't work as well due to the slow rudder traverse of Battleships (you take a long time to switch directions). - Most Battleships are fairly good at turning one way quickly so use that to your advantage. - I know many people may feel it's impossible to dodge all the torpedoes. I'm not saying you will. With preperation and practise however you will dodge most of them. It's all about knowing what's coming and reacting to it before it happens.
As a final point there is lots, and I mean lots of helpful videos out there on YouTube and livestream on Twitch. Use these resources to help you become a better player. No one is able to dodge everything being shot and fired at them, but you can do a lot to minimize the damage taken. Situational awareness is key in World of Warships as is thinking ahead (where do I want to be in 5 mins, what direction do I want to be sailing? Will I need to switch my guns from port to starboard? Should I start moving to enemy base or moving to defend my base.). - All these things will come in time. So chill out, don't panic and enjoy the discussions here on the forums. Don't expect ships or entire classes to be removed because you had a bad game. It happens to everyone. Our Alpha Testers and Closed Beta Testers are a great bunch of people who are happy to help people willing to accept the help. It's a brave new world out there Captains. I wish you all smooth sailing and I'll see you out there on the high seas.