USS Melvin (DD-680)

Statistics do not reflect flag bonuses\*

Reload time: 5 - 4 seconds

(7x) Class 2

300 - 368 DPS

Speed: 62 - 71 m/s

Rounds: 8

Reload time: 70 - 56 seconds

*Melvin* is a case exclusive ship that is basically an upgraded Fletcher and in many respects, combines the best characteristics of the Japanese and American destroyers.

The ship was added during December 10, 2018; along with the *USS Wisconsin*. The only way of obtaining this ship is through the Rare container.

## Background History

The Melvin was laid down during July 6, 1943; was launched during October 17, 1943; and was commissioned during November 24, 1943.

During World War 2, the ship participated in certain operations in the Pacific Ocean. And at October 25, 1944; it struck the Fuso with torpedoes, to which the Fuso sank some time after.

After the war, the Melvin joined in certain operations off the east cost of the United States. The ship was sold for scrap during August 14, 1975.

## Tactics

From the American line of destroyers, *Melvin* inherited their utilitarian nature as capable multitaskers and from the Japanese, a ludicrously fast torpedo reload and HP rivaling that of *Yukikaze*. This makes *Melvin* a swiss army knife of sorts among the destroyers and no one play-style is recommended and it is up to the player to experiment with what combination works best for them.

## Overview

*Melvin* is basically a low tier *Mahan*, in the fact it has the same turn rate with the same amount of damage and a slightly higher speed. However, it deals slightly less damage with torpedoes, although sharing the same reload time with *Leningrad*, and has the worst AA suite of the destroyers, dealing only 731 dps, while the *Karl Galster* deals slightly higher damage with 789 dps, and even its counterpart, *Fletcher*, does higher AA damage. It's for certain this ship is meant for escort duties in the case of firepower, as it is the most powerful of the low tiers. It's fire power coupled by its reload speed makes it a very lethal destroyer within close range. Given a chance with its torpedoes and high speed and it becomes the most dangerous ship in the ocean. When using the Melvin always capitalize on her speed and get in the front lines escorting the big battleships. Never go 1v1 with any battleship in case if you are using her as a gunboat. Since the Melvin is still a destroyer and a few lethal shots from a ship like Rodney or Dunkerque can sink her.

## Tactics

### Playing as a Melvin

*Melvin* is a utility destroyer that can be played in many different ways, but the most common are torpedo striker and gunboat

Gunboat is most favored by most people, as its high damage, five turrets and great reload speed allows to effectively tear into vessels twice its own size, using either AP shells or HE shells. Recommended distance is 3km to 4km, because any closer and you risk sinking yourself.

Torpedo strikers are risk takers that use the *Mevlin*'s speed and fast, high damaging torpedoes to close distance and quickly dispatch any vessel they set their eyes on. The most common targets are carriers and lonely, low tier battleships. Higher skilled players will set out for bigger, more threatening targets for their team to win.

### Playing alongside a Melvin

Just like the other destroyers, the *Melvin* takes its role as the escort of the team. They dash to the frontlines and zip across the battlefield, distracting enemies and giving the Melvin's allies a chance to strike. Just like its US counterparts, the *Melvin* has balanced statistics and can readily help you in any situation. Also, kindly avoid blocking the path of the Melvin's torpedoes to avoid it from being rendered useless.

### Playing against a Melvin

Due to its swift nature, a carefully thought out plan is needed to eliminate a hostile *Melvin*. Attacking it from the distance is very difficult, and its high mobility only adds up to the confusion. The best way to eliminate this ship is through a mid rangd duel, to which your ship's attacks are more likely to hit. Also, avoid getting too close to this ship during unfavorable conditions if you do not wish to suffer a catastrophic loss of HP.

## Advantages and Disadvantages

**Advantages**

* High mobility, can catch up with allies, and outflank hostile battleships.
* Rapid main gun reload, increasing the chance of a fire.
* Highest max damage on the guns at low-tier.
* Best turning time, at 13 secs.
* Biggest HP pool of all DDs at low-tier.
* Decent torpedoes.

**Disadvantages**

* Rather high main gun amunition cost.
* Like all destroyers, *Melvin* suffers from an inaccurate rounds counter.
* Like, USS Fletcher, has a lot of free board.

## Editor/Contributor's Opinion

1) **XercesDenial** :- " Probably the most broken DD apart from Shimakaze "

2) **Thathsilu898** :- " USS Fletcher's Powerful Sister "

## Trivia

* The ship is named after Lieutenant, junior grade John T. Melvin.
* The *Melvin* successfuly sank the *Fuso* after firing torpedoes at it during the early hours of October 25, 1944.

* *Melvin* has the third fastest torpedoes among destroyers, behind *Leningrad* and *Mahan.*
* Melvin is also the third fastest destroyer, behind *Leningrad* and *Shimakaze.*
* Despite the *Melvin* being a lower tier, its class actually succeeds the *Mahan-*class by several destroyers.
* Both the *Fletcher* and the *Melvin* are of the same class.
* Her crew had called her "The Merciless Melvin."

### In game Inaccuracies

* Both *Fletcher* and *Melvin* in reality have quintuple torpedo launchers, meaning they're capable of firing 10 torpedoes at once.
	+ This obviously hurts both ships in combat, and it's a rare case of in-game models actually harming gameplay.