USS Port Royal (CG-73)

The Port Royal, as seen in-game

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## Background History

The **USS Port Royal (CG-73)** is a Ticonderoga class guided missile cruiser, the 27th and final ship of the class. The ship was laid down during October 18, 1991; was launched during November 20, 1992; and was commissioned during July 9, 1994.

The ship was often deployed in battle groups, participated in various exercises and even ran aground during February 5, 2009. No one was injured during the incident, and no oil was spilled, but both the reef (where the ship ran aground) and its hull suffered from extensive damage.

The ship still remains in active service as of the writing of this statement (August 19, 2021), but the US navy plans to decommission the ship along with its sister ships.

## Overview

Even at a surprisingly affordable price of 10,200,000 dollars, the Port Royal possesses a large missile artillery that is only matched by the most formidable Tier 3 surface warships. The ship also packs an average amount of artillery and defenses at the aforementioned price. Due to its effectiveness and its relatively easy to familiarize weapon setup, it’s often valued by beginners and experts alike.

With these advantages, however, the ship does have its reasonable and expected flaws.

## Tactics

### Playing as a Port Royal

The Port Royal functions as an effective anti-surface unit due to its combination of weapons. At the start of a match, the ship should strive to provide reconaissance through a fast helicopter like the WZ-19 CAIC.. Once the enemy ships have been detected, the ship can then relentlessly rain down missiles. This large missile artillery allows the ship to penetrate even the densest anti-air defenses of any singular surface unit in the game.

With that sizeable missile artillery, the ship also bears two gun turrets, allowing players to supplement the damage done by the ship's missiles.

While using the Port Royal, it is best to stay in long ranges and fire your missiles at enemies. DF-17 and Monarc cannons can rip down any surface ship. Hunt down important ships like Assault Carriers or Battleships using this tactic.

### Playing along a Port Royal

Although powerful, the ship is also vulnerable and fragile, and will require the assistance of allies to fill in its shortcomings. Submarines and other allied surface warships should strive to get enemy submarines as far away from the ship as possible.

### Playing against a Port Royal

The ship's vulnerabilities is often the main downfall of the ship, and can often and easily be exploited by anyone.

The ship's lackluster anti air defense makes it vulnerable to air attacks, especially from drones and bombers; and missiles of all types.

Ships should also strive to operate in coordinated fleets so as to defend themselves against the Port's wave of missiles.

## Suggested Armaments Setup

The ship, with its flexible armaments setup, can be armed with various weapons that will furthermore improve the ship's performance. Below are some suggested weapons setup. But, bear in mind that these are just suggestions.

* Missile battery (first slot): DF-17/Zircon (Hero)
* Missile battery (second slot): DF-17/Zircon (Hero)
* Missile battery (third slot): S-500 Prometheus
* Cannon: Koalitsiya-F, MONARC.
* Air Defense: Sea RAM
* Helicopter: WZ-19 CAIC/AP Phoenix (Fast spotting)/MUH-1 Marineon

## Advantages and Disadvantages

### Advantages

* One of the least expensive tier 3 warships.
* Large missile armament of three slots.
* Flexible armament setup, default missile setup allows engaging surface, air and underwater targets
* High speed and good maneuvability.

### Disadvantages

* Considerably lower durability.
* Lacks autocannons. (Has only two autocannon slots)
* Lackluster anti-air defense.

## Trivia

* The ship is the second to bear the name of the two battles that took place at Port Royal Sound, South Carolina of the Revoloutionary War and the American Civil War.
	+ The ship was mistakenly designated as the "first ship named", but this was an error since there was a previous ship that bore the same name.
* The ship is the first American cruiser to incorporate women into the crew.
* The ship used to cost 6,000,000 dollars; but was increased to 10,200,000 on January 17, 2022.
* Although cheap, the cost has become nearly useless, as it has replaced the Renhai in daily rewards.