USS Iowa (BB-61)

## USS Iowa

The Iowa, as seen in game

"Our Liberties We Prize, Our Rights We Will Maintain" - *Iowa's Motto*

The *Iowa* was an American battleship featured in the game, characterized as a fast, accurate sniper.

## Background History

**USS Iowa (BB-61)** was the lead ship of the *Iowa-class* battleship. Laid down in 1939 and commissioned in 1943, she served as the newly built capital battleship of the US Navy during WWII. Iowa had carried President Franklin D. Roosevelt and operated in the Atlantic as well as bombarding islands to cover troop landings. She survived WWII and later served in the Korean War. She was repeatedly decommissioned and recommissioned throughout her history.

Her fate is not as tragic as other battleships of WWII. In fact, she stills floats today! She was decommissioned and was stuck in as a museum ship thanks to some American citizens.

## Tactics and Overview

Being an even less tanky and powerful version of *New Jersey*, *Iowa* capitalizes on gun accuracy. In fact, it is the most accurate heavyweight battleship in the game and can land tight groups even when moving at high speeds. As such, a build around Iowa involves improving its HP and reload with the German flag. This turns the Iowa into a high speed drive by sniper that can land many successive hits while the enemy can only land a fraction of what you deliver back to you. This ship is also particularly strong when bow on due to her high alpha damage and overall great gun accuracy. Do be warned, while it's AA is an improvement over the *New Jersey*, it is not much better.

### Playing as an Iowa

*Iowa* excels in accuracy, meaning it would be played best at range to keep out of range of other large battleships. Any warship that approach her can easily be left in the dust by the Iowa's high speed (and speed boost). When played in the right hands, *Iowa* can deal a tremendous blow against any and all warship. Its high speed can lead destroyers and cruisers and output more damage over them. Carriers would struggle against Iowa with her amazing speed and agility alongside her improved AA. It can handle many of the other battleships, but struggles against any larger battleship, such as the *Yamato* and *Montana*. The ideal method is using your speed to lead them and stay on the edge of their range where their shell dispersion is greatest, therefore lessening impact on your ship and using *Iowa's* high accuracy to tear through their hulls. It is advised to avoid tanking while on this ship, as its secondaries are sub-par compared to most other battleships.

The most effective strategy often relies on patience and holding your fire until you're in the perfect position. This tactic applies to most players who want to snipe but not stay in the back constantly and results vary depending on the map and skills. In the beginning of the match wait for a bit and see where your enemy is heading. If either side of the map is open and void of enemies head to that side and stay on the edge of the map but don't touch the red-line or actual border of the map. Iowa takes advantage in advancing to this position quickly and turning her turrets to acquire targets close to the middle of the map that are distracted by your teammates. If deployed correctly, one can deal a great amount of damage and greatly contributing to their team.

### Playing Alongside the Iowa

An *Iowa* is often a ranged ally but often will come within 3km to engage the enemy. In any case AA support is the utmost priority due to her moderate-to-low anti-air defense. The best ship types to compensate for that problem is cruiser or destroyer. Stay ahead and close to your *Iowa* to give a bigger threat towards incoming enemy aircraft. Cruisers will especially help in close range fights since both top tier cruisers are equipped with torpedoes and many guns. *Yukikaze* is the most effective air deterrent, albeit the worst destroyer in terms of raw combat. The only battleships that can keep up with her are other *Iowa*-class battleships, *Montana*, and the *Super-Alsace*.

In addition, if the *Iowa* is playing a sniping role, as in staying in the rear, then a carrier should suffice as a supporting AA platform since destroyers and cruisers will be more on the frontlines. Carriers that support the *Iowa* should focus on large, approaching battleships and carriers targeting your ally. Also, never get in between the *Iowa* and her target unless trying to prevent further damage to your ally, because your hulking size can block all her rounds, stripping them of additional damage dealt.

### Playing against an Iowa

*Iowa* is still a powerful and accurate battleship. Larger battleships are suggested to take on this agile sniper, such as the *Montana* or *Yamato*, as both present great broadside counts and high damage. Use islands as cover as you close the gap and start landing all your shells. *Iowa's* advantage quickly vanishes and she would be quickly sunk at even closer ranges. Aircraft also can provide an effective way of eliminating this ship. The ship does have high AA damage, but there are only six of them. Also, the Iowa has poor secondaries; so if your ship is laden with a lot of them, or is carrying a torpedo launcher or two, then don't hesitate to strike.

## Advantages and Disadvantages

**Advantages**

* Ludicrous speed, can outrun every other BB in the game.
* Above average turning radius.
* Stellar accuracy and dispersion.
* Up to par secondaries.
* Decent damage on main guns.

**Disadvantages**

* Not the sturdiest in terms of HP.
* Main guns may feel lacking when going against beasts like, Yamato, Montana, Alsace, or H41.
* Average AA.

## Trivia

* Both the in-game *Iowa* and *Leningrad* were present in bot matches before being added in an update late in 2017.
* In April 1989, *Iowa* suffered from an explosion in its No. 2 gun turret, destroying the 2nd barrel and killing 47 sailors. This was the greatest loss of life on the ship.
* *Iowa* had an animal mascot - a dog named Vicky!
	+ The first Captain, Captain John McCrea, brought home a dog to his wife. When his wife didn't want the dog, he brought the dog aboard the Iowa, where it quickly became the beloved mascot of the Iowa
* While escorting President Roosevelt, the US destroyer *William D. Porter*, an infamously unlucky ship, accidentally fired a torpedo at the *Iowa*. Iowa dodged and quickly trained its guns at the destroyer, although neither ships were harmed.
* The USS Iowa can still be recommissioned into US Navy service. But this process can take about 5 months.
* It was the last ship, that can be bought without real money until the Wisconsin was available for 8 million cash purchase and then *New Jersey* moved to a higher level unlock.