IJN Shimakaze

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

## Armament Details

### Main Battery

(3x2) \*3 twin turretsDamage: 9,120 - 12,020

Reload time: 7 - 5 seconds

### Anti-Aircraft Gun

(x3) Class 1328 - 415 DPS

(x14) Class 2

300 - 357 DPS

### Torpedo

(3x5) \*3 Quintuple LaunchersDamage: 8,257 - 9,832

Speed: 60 - 68 m/s

Rounds: (3x5) \*15 total rounds

Reload time: 75 - 62 seconds

### Interceptors

None

"How did 1 Shim(akaze) kill 2 [of our] battleships???" - *Player complaining about the enemy Shimakaze*

## Background History

The IJN *Shimakaze* (島風) (*Island Wind*), was an experimental destroyer for the Imperial Japanese Navy, and was the only one of her class. She was the only destroyer to be armed with 15 torpedo tubes (which forced them to extend the hull length) and the fastest destroyer of World War II. Ordered during World War II, the *Shimakaze* was laid down in August of 1941 at Maizuru Naval Arsenal, and was completed on May 10th, of 1943. On completion she was assigned to the IJN 1st Fleet, and participated in the evacuations of Japanese troops from Kiska Island. She was later used a numerous amount of times as an escort vessel due to increasing American air raids. She received a refit in early 1944. She later escorted the *Yamato* and *Maya* to cover the aborted evacuation of Japanese forces, and participated in the Battle of Leyte Gulf, playing no role in the battle, but rescuing survivors from both the IJN battleship *Musashi* and the IJN cruiser *Maya*, which were both sunk.

On November of 1944, *Shimakaze* was the flagship of Destroyer Squadron 2, tasked to escort a troop convey from Manila to Ormoc. On November 11th of 1944, their group became under attack from American Aircraft originating from Task Force 38 in the Battle of Ormoc Bay. The *Shimakaze* was hit and disabled during the attack. She drifted and burned for several hours before exploding and sinking. Her mangled wreck was discovered in December 1st, 2017 by a Paul Allen-led expedition.

## Tactics and Overview

Shimakaze is the final destroyer to be unlocked and is absurdly powerful. Its reputation and high end performance in any situation is infamous. With HP nearing the 150k mark and 15 torpedoes that deal up to 150k damage and gun firepower that exceeds Royal Sovereign's (13k and 5 second reload) she can sink any unprepared battleship. *Shimakaze*'s play-style is extremely unique in that she can be either a pocket cruiser, or torpedo spammer (its torpedoes reload within 50 seconds or so). to sum up she is the top dog destroyer in BOW and is a menace that should be handled with caution and quickly before it can unleash all hell on your team. The best strategy to counter this ship is to stay as far as possible while firing HE at it. Even then it may be futile as it can just use it's high speed of 45-46 knots (which can hit 60 knots with speed boost) and HP to tank the hits and reach you. The only real way to stop this island wind is to pound it with an entire teams worth of shells and focus it to death. Even then, it may have served as distraction long enough for the big guns of the opposing team to lock on you.

*(specified info below)*

### Playing as Shimakaze

*Shimakaze* is no doubt the most threatening destroyer in the game and is definitely going to be a primary target of those who already had a taste of its torpedoes. With this in mind, you could easily draw fire from the enemy while staying on the edge of their range, giving a chance for your fleet to deal some crucial damage. While targeting the enemy from long range, always use HE shells for it's unlikely you'll be able to deal high damage and it will give a chance to burn the enemy down to a vulnerable point. When in moderate range, stick with your fleet and focus fire on a single target with your allies using AP shells to sink them faster. Also, sticking with your fleet makes it harder for enemy aircraft carriers to strike effectively due to your combined AA.

Enemies that dare get closer will regret it. Unlike most destroyers, it's not the idea of "how much damage do I have to worry about from one torpedo," It's the idea of "how many torpedoes do I have to worry about?" The Shimakaze can distribute a field of death with her 15 torpedoes that can be launched from a single broadside. This can be a headache for any enemy, big or small. Any ship that's sitting, stuck, or unwavering of their path will feel the Japanese wrath of 150k damage from torpedoes backed up with 13k damage from her guns.

The fact she deals unusually high damage and combine it with her agility, speed, health, and hard to hit profile, and she is easily the most lethal destroyer. Her high end performance can allow herself to take on multiple enemies at once and be able to pull off some amazing victories which are impossible for other destroyers. She is a proud ship of the Japanese Navy worthy of reputation.

### Playing Alongside Shimakaze

As with many destroyers, you don't have much say in what they do. If you're in a destroyer or a cruiser you can escort her providing more firepower or add to their threatening stance. In a battleship, you can't keep up with the Island Wind, but you can draw fire from the enemy they are targeting, guaranteeing the safety of your lethal destroyer and destroying the target efficiently.

As with any ship with torpedoes, never get in the way of the *Shimakaze*, unless they already had launched their torpedoes, for this can easily put your own teammates down by ripping away the possible 150k damage.

### Playing against Shimakaze

*Shimakaze* is a worthy adversary earning her place in the hit list. Countering this vessel depends on team coordination and ship types. If half your fleet can target and quickly destroy her, then it's over. Target her for too long and you risk the enemy fleet creeping on you. If you ever face her solo, then you better have the right ship for the job.

Destroyers are the frontline ships that are more frequent in facing each other. The *Mahan*, *Yukikaze*, and *Shimakaze* are the only other possible destroyers to face. When in a *Mahan*, you lack raw firepower and poor torpedo spread. However, you can draw the fight out using your incredible turn speed to dodge her torpedoes and guns, making her nearly worthless in combat. Drawing out the fight also gives you a chance to receive backup from teammates. When in a *Yukikaze*, it's most likely a death sentence. She's the slowest destroyer in the game and has poor maneuverability. However, her guns nearly deal as much damage as the *Shimakaze*, making her surprising effective in facing the Island Wind, despite her missing gun. You cannot face her head on and it's better to fight her while running away. *Shimakaze* versus *Shimakaze* is an intriguing fight. This comes down to pure skill and experience with this fully upgraded vessel. The Most common fights are chases and often result in the pursuing *Shimkaze* sinking.

Cruisers are the support vessels of the fleet, and are experienced in demolishing small ships. *San Diego* and *Atago* both have a high broadside shell count which means it's easier to hit the small *Shimakaze*. Combined with the HE shells and you have a great recipe for a sunk destroyer.

Battleships are the brawlers of the field, and deal nasty damage and receive the same and keep chugging. Battleships are lesser to fight *Shimakaze*, especially low broadside ships. *Super-Alsace, Montana, Musashi,* and *Yamato* are fit to deal with her due to high damage and high broadside count. However, both *Yamato*-class vessels lack secondaries to combat her at close range. In addition, most skilled *Shimakaze* players will resort to red-lining to counter such large vessels. Be careful to not make yourself a juicy target when facing a red-lining *Shimakaze*. Size does not matter if you do not have the brains for it.

Aircraft carriers are the backbone of the fleet, providing aircraft support. Unfortunately, her planes are nearly ineffective in sinking *Shimakaze*. This is because of her agility and small size included with her moderate AA suite makes it nearly impossible to touch. You'll have to rely on close range fights, and you better hope you have powerful secondaries to back up your torpedo strikes. One false move can lead to your demise within seconds. Pack up your planes and wait for *Shimakaze* to get close by waiting around an island. When close enough, launch wave after wave of your torpedo bombers and run away. Leading her makes it harder for her to reach you and launch and hit all torpedoes. Meanwhile, your secondaries will eat away. Aircraft carriers are the least fit to deal with her.

## Advantages and Disadvantages

**Advantages**

* Monstrous firepower on the guns, up to 13K per salvo.
* Exceptionally speedy.
* Lots of torpedoes, 15 per broadside.
* Gigantic HP pool for a DD.
* Great turning at 15 secs.

**Disadvantages**

* Slow reload, 4 secs.
* Weak torpedoes, dealing less than 10K per torpedo.
* Underwhelming AA given her size.
* 2 out of 3 turrets located at the stern, hence, this ship prefers and rewards kiting away play-style.

## Editor/Contributor's Opinion

1) **XercesDenial** :- " Ah, yes... the Queen of DDs and Mrs. Master at anything and everything "

2) **Thathsilu774** :- " Her reputation is destroyed due to the hell that is **RED-LINING "**

## Trivia

* *Shimakaze* is known as the "Annoying Brick" by the community because of her speed, Torpedoes, HP and Main Gun Damage which make her a tough opponent to defeat

* Some *Shimakaze* players are notorious for "red-lining," and although it may not be considered cheating, it is a cheap tactic and those players should be avoided as they lure many players to their deaths
* Several more ships were planned, but were ultimately cancelled due to lack of resources of this highly complex ship, and the constant string of defeats at the hands of the American Navy
	+ Interestingly enough, the *Super-Shimakaze*-class destroyer was planned, but was unfortunately cancelled due to the major losses of the Imperial Japanese Navy and lack of resources to build these highly complex ships.
* The *Shimakaze* had the type-13 Japanese radar installed which was an anti-aircraft radar which could reach out to about 30-60 nautical miles or 50-100 km for aircraft.
	+ The Type-13 radar was used on both land and ship (even submarine) roles and was the most reliable, becoming the most widely produced, and the most widely used, among the Japanese Navy.
* The fleet that destroyed the *Shimakaze*, Task Force 38, was the huge main striking force of the US Navy, including 18 carriers like the *Hornet, Wasp, Ticonderoga, Hancock*, and *Yorktown*
* The *Shimakaze* has gained popularity in recent times due to World of Warships, but mostly from the Japanese anime games/series Kantai Collection (Kancolle) and the Chinese/Japanese anime game/series Azure Lane.