IJN Yamato

The Yamato, as seen in-game

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The IJN Yamato ("Great Harmony"), is a Japanese battleship featured in the game.

## Background History

The *Yamato* (大和, *"Great Harmony"*) was a *Yamato*-class battleship, and the lead ship of her class as well as the soul of the Imperial Japanese Navy. She was laid down in 1937 and commissioned in 1940. She joined the Combined Fleet weeks after the Pearl Harbor attack.

Throughout 1942, she served as the flagship for the Combined Fleet and Yamamoto Isoroku commanded the Japanese fleet in Battle of Midway via Yamato. The battle resulted in a devastating defeat for the Japanese. *Musashi* later took charge of the combined fleet. Yamato underwent modifications and spent some time protecting major Japanese naval bases in Truk and Kure. She was later in the Battle of the Philippine Sea, but did not actually take part in the battle. Unfortunately *Musashi* was sunk during the Battle of the Sibuyan Sea.

In 1945, the Japanese fleet were suffering from multiple defeats. Under Operation Ten-Ichi-Go (天号作戦, Ten-Ichi-Gō Sakusen) also known as Operation Heaven One (Ten-ichi-gō 天一号) *Yamato* was sent on a one-way suicide mission to Okinawa to protect the island from American by beach herself and act as shore battery. However, on her way there, she encountered American submarines which were unable to attack but managed to give the course of the fleet to the US Navy. She was attacked by waves of American aircraft while *Yamato* fought back desperately. After being struck by 11 torpedoes and 15 Armor Piercing (AP) bombs, *Yamato* was ordered to be abandoned as the ship was unable to steer and unable to avoid sinking. She capsized from the port side, and broke into two pieces after the explosion of the forward magazine, shortly after the capsizing. This American victory proved that air superiority is essential in every war.

## Overview

The prized unit of captains, the ship has garnered quite the reputation due to its rarity and power. It is often mentioned by captains who own and dream of it alike, becoming an enigma in the community.

The ship, bearing the biggest guns in the whole game, brings about as heavy of a punch; however, the ship is not without flaws. It is one of the slowest (despite a real life speed of 27 knots) and least maneuverable, being especially vulnerable to missiles, torpedoes, and gunfire. To compensate, the ship capitalizes on its phenomenal durability, allowing it to survive long into the battle even after the harshest of punishments.

## Tactics

**Playing as a Yamato**

At the start of the match, Yamato players can provide reconnaissance with their air squadron and give their allies a tactical advantage early in the match. As enemy ships come closer, they will prioritize in sinking the Yamato. It is advised to stay close to allies, as they account for the Yamato's weakness in anti-air defense, and the planes aren't that large an improvement anyway, as they have the lowest durability, the slowest speed, their guns do about as much damage as a single shell from a tier 1 cannon, and using their bombs are VERY risky, given the terrible speed and durability they have. Avoid submarines at all cost, and make sure to often scan the area of any hostile missiles.

**Playing alongside a Yamato**

The Yamato, being an important component to the team, bears a significant role to them, especially in the hands of experienced players. The enemy team will certainly prioritize in sinking the ship, and they will not hesitate to pour all their efforts just to see the ship slip beneath the waves.

So as to prolong an allied Yamato’s survival in the match, consider escorting it. In doing so, the ship will be given additional anti air defense against hostile aircraft and missiles alike.

Other surface ships can supplement in the Yamato's firepower, while destroyers and aircraft carriers can provide defense against submarines.

**Playing against the Yamato**

Sinking the *Yamato* will not be an easy task. It will require a specific set of conditions, depending on the type of ship.

Surface ships like destroyers, cruisers, and battleships should deal damage to the Yamato from a distance. With the exception of another Yamato (or maybe a Missouri if the Yamato is in half-health or lower.), avoid close quarter combat with the ship at all costs as Yamato's DPS is the highest in the game.

Reversing away from yamato with the bow facing her is very effective. Leading the target requires Yamato players to aim the cannon infront of the target's moving direction. It is impossible to aim at the area behind the target ship and thus impossible to "lead" shots on targets that are reversing away. Small, fast vessels (or even fast vessels in general) may be able to "outrun" or mislead incoming shells with speed and turning.

Aircraft carriers, however, can attack an unescorted Yamato safely as long as they keep distance. The Yamato's AA is only comparable to Tier 2 and barely deals any damage. Use Strike Fighters and Bombers/Drones to attack it.

Submarines are in the best position to attack the ship, but that once again depends if the ship is unescorted or not. If the submarine is at a dangerously low oxygen level, then consider re-assessing the attack.

## Suggested Armaments Setup

Unlike all other ships in the game, all of *Yamato's* weapons are locked and therefore are non-replaceable.

## Advantages and Disadvantages

### Advantages.

* The ship is the most durable surface combatant in the game.
* Can deal a significant amount of damage from its guns (currently holds the largest cannon damage).
* Can (obviously) destroy anything with ease if played correctly.
* Has a tight shell dispersion from it's main guns.
* Can provide reconnaissance early into the battle due to its air squadrons.
* Is highly underestimated. This is an advantage because you can catch enemies off guard and destroy them.
* Can hold her own for a while *if* she has extra anti air defense from her allies.

### Disadvantages.

* Slow mobility and maneuverability.
* Like the Missouri, she can’t turn on the spot like other ships.
* Her superstructure is relatively large which makes her easier to hit.
* Basically dead meat if encountering a submerged Belgorod or other type of submarine, due to the lack of grenade launchers and anti-submarine weapons.
* Lacks missiles.
* Absolutely useless anti air defense with loss of accuracy. Ineffective against anything and has trouble destroying a Tier 1 helicopter. Can only depend on destroying aircrafts if the aircrafts crash.
* The other half of her anti air defense are autocannons.
* Only has cannons to track targets, meaning that fast, small targets can easily dodge incoming shells and avoid damage from the Yamato altogether, meaning only the most skilled Yamato captains can destroy fast, small targets.
* X-51 Waverider can destroy the ship quickly, since it cannot be duped by flares and it has almost the same damage as Zircon.

## Trivia

* The Yamato is the first battleship to be introduced to the game, having been added as early as the game's alpha testing days.
* The ship's durability was increased from 312,000 to 338,000 in the 0.45.8 update, released globally on September 21, 2021.
	+ It was increased again to 358,000 on update 0.47.5, released globally on December 28, 2021.
	+ It was increased again to 388,000 on January 7, 2022.
* The in-game Yamato originally had the highest durability out of all the ships within the game, up until the USS Nemesis Aircraft Carrier's durability was increased.
* After the withdrawal of the Washington Naval Treaty, which limited the weight and gun caliber of battleships, the Yamato-class was built and exceeded their limits.
* During the Battle of Leyte Gulf, the capital battleship of the Japanese Navy, the Yamato; was also present along with the capital battleship of the US Navy, the USS Iowa (BB-61).
	+ The two capital ships never fought due to political conflict of having a capital ship being seriously damaged from the naval adversary's capital ship. It's also noted that neither captain would ever engage the other due to disavantages or advantages of each others' ships.
* She only fired her guns in one naval engagement at surface ships that were present during 1944 when firing at American troop transports. She was then driven off by American aircraft from Task Force 77 under command of Clifton Sprague. It should also be noted that TF77 only retaliated after observing the bravery of Ernst E. Evans, which was the captain of the *USS Johnston* (DD-557).
* When she was sunk, her explosion was heard and seen 200km away in Kagoshima.
* The onboard floatplanes (hydroaircraft) are very similar to the Japanese F1M floatplane used by some Japanese ships
* The only non-carrier class ship able to launch aircraft (helicopters not counted as aircraft).
* A USS Hurricane (PC-3) is such a small and nimble target that it becomes virtually impossible for a Yamato to hit, and with the right missiles can actually sink a Yamato as proven in personal 1v1 or 2v2 battles. However, it is not recommended to try this in online matches. Don't let your team down with poor ship choices.
* She is missing her twin barrel machine gun on her bow. She also is missing six of her machine guns; four next to the first 460mm Gun Turret and two near the very rear machine guns.
* Currently shown as the oldest warship in-game.