IJN Nagato

The Nagato as seen in-game. (Table statistics do not reflect flag bonuses)\*

Damage: 15,038 > 18,015

Reload Time: 17s > 14s

-= (2x2) Class 2 =-

Damage: 15,038 > 18,015

Reload Time: 17s > 14s

Damage: 7,920 > 9,445

Reload Time: 9s > 7s

DPS: 340 > 444

-= (x10) Class 2 =-

-Type 1-

DPS: 300 > 391

-Type 2-

DPS: 330 > 431

Speed: 630.0km/h > 734.4km/h

DPS: 140 > 163

"Don't underestimate the power of the remodeled Big Seven." - *Unknown*

The IJN Nagato (aka. the IJN Ryofu) was a primary Nagato class battleship presented in WW2, The Nagato was Namesaked after the Province of Nagato, Japan.

## Background History

The Nagato was laid down during August 28, 1917; was launched during November 9, 1919; and was completed during November 25, 1920.

During the inter-war period, the ship brought supplies to the survivors of the Great Kanto Earthquake. The ship also participated in the Second Sino-Japanese war during 1937.

The Nagato became the flagship of Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto during the attack on Pearl Harbor during December 7, 1941, but did not participate in the action itself. The Nagato also took part in certain naval engagements, but as an old ship was only called into service when times were desperate (1943 onwards) and after the end of the war was selected by the United States as a test ship for Operation Crossroads. The ship survived the explosion from the first blast (Test Able) during July 1, 1946, but was sunk after Test Baker after developing a 2 degrees list then capsizing.

## Tactics

For all intents and purposes, Nagato is basically a Royal Sovereign upgrade and slightly downgraded Bismarck in terms of firepower but trades that for maneuverability. The key to success with this ship is to get in close. With it's high HP that over-matches even the Scharnhorst, it can tank quite a few hits and deliver it back while it is still combat capable. Carriers will also have a frustrating time dealing with Nagato due to a combination of it's high maneuverability and decent AA. Her only real downside is a lower than average speed but that is mitigated by its ability to "drift" and thus dodge incoming damage. Sweetening the deal is its "double main battery" quirk which allows damage benefits from flags to be doubled, increasing her base alpha from 36k to 46k. Combine this with close range multipliers she can achieve an alpha strike of well over 55k, making her a menace at close range to those without the HP to tank such a hit.

### Playing as Nagato

Your main priority as a Nagato is to close the distance as quickly as you can. By doing so you can leverage your high alpha strike in the most effective way possible. This would not only help you unleash your massive alpha- strike, it would also make sure you don't miss most of your shells, given Nagato has one of the worst dispersion at range in the whole low-tier. Her dispersion is somewhat like the German ships in game (like Bismarck for example); it is decent at long range and close range but quite wonky at mid-range duels. Until your AA is fully upgraded it is advised to stay away from planes or stick to allies for combines AA cover. One thing of note is to avoid ships with torpedoes despite your close range prowess as they can send you to Davy Jones' locker well before you can land in serious hits.

### Playing along with a Nagato

The Nagato, as a battleship, delivers the punishing salvos to enemy ships along with escorts. But her relatively large size makes it a good target to destroyers and other torpedo-bearing warships, thus escorts are necessary for this ship's survival. Try to stick with your ally Nagato, a good Nagato player on your team can almost single-handedly turn the tide of the game. Her ridiculously high gun damage can make even the enemy Kongos and Dakotas run for cover. While being a Nagato's escort, you can help in clearing any approaching aircraft or destroyers as this ship eliminates the capital ships.

### Playing Against a Nagato

It is highly recommended to avoid fights within 2KM of Nagato as her alpha strike is amongst the highest at her matchmaking spread. Instead, kite her to deny her any damage multipliers and with only 8 guns, she will struggle to land many hits with the type of dispersion she boasts. If your ship has torpedoes, find an opportunity to fire a spread or two at Nagato at close range while at least ensuring you can survive the first salvo. By doing so, you are almost certain to finish her off with your guns afterwards. But again, plan this play very carefully, try to pull it off only when the situation is right, or be ready to be completely demolished by this Japanese behemoth. In an aircraft carrier, as far as you are concerned she will be your priority target at the start of the match. With a lower speed than most other battleships and mediocre AA, she will be easy prey, but like all Japanese ships at this tier, she has excellent mobility and can more than easily dodge your attacks if not coordinated properly.

## Advantages and Disadvantages

**Advantages**

* Has a quirk in its main guns that give a further damage bonus from flags.
* Absurd main gun damage, up to 46K with right flags.
* Decent secondary armament.
* Excellent, cruiser-like maneuverability.
* Relatively small for a battleship.
* Has the third highest HP in low tier.
* High alpha strike multiplier allows her to achieve 55k+ in close range in a single salvo.

**Disadvantages**

* Below-average AA damage.
* Undesirable accuracy, due to comical amounts of dispersion.
* Cost of upgrade are doubled due to 2 sets of main guns
* Quite slow (only 32.6 knots maximum).

### IN GAME INACCURACIES

* Nagato and her sisters actually had 8 21in torpedo tubes.
* Nagato's actual length is 224.94 meters in the time period shown in game.

## Editor/Contributor's Opinion

1) **XercesDenial**:- "IMO the best BB at this tier (though IJN Kongo has better stats).. put on a pirate flag and you'll see the full power of these 410's"

2) **Thathsilu898**:- "Welcome to today's episode of WHICH SHIP NEEDS TO CHANGE TIER"

3) **123ASAP**:-"Citadels go brrrr"

4) **Kongoo**:-"410's go bang, ships go boom"

## Trivia

* The Nagato was the first dreadnought launched with guns larger than 380mm (15 inch) guns.
* The Nagato is the only Japanese Battleship that survived World War 2.
* Along with the USS Arkansas, the Nagato was sunk by test BAKER, which was one of a series of detonation tests with Nuclear weapons.