KMS Z20 Karl Galster

The Z20 Karl Galster, as seen in-game. (Table statistics do not reflect flag bonuses)\*

## Armament Details

### Main Battery

(5x1) \*5 single turretsDamage: 3,232 > 3,992

Reload time: 4s > 3s

### Anti-Aircraft Gun

(x9) Class 1Type 1: 328 DPS > 402 DPS

Type 2: 361 DPS > 471 DPS

Type 3: 394 DPS > 483 DPS

Type 4: 426 DPS > 508 DPS

(x2) Class 2

Type 1: 208 DPS > 248 DPS

Type 2: 229 DPS > 281 DPS

### Torpedo

2 Torpedo LaunchersDamage: 8,923 > 10,626

Speed: 57m/s > 64m/s

Rounds: (2x4)

Reload time: 76s > 62s

## Overview

Z20 Karl Galster is a German destroyer featured in the game. It is the first playable destroyer that the players will get their hands on. Though she might seem weak at first, her stats are highly deceiving. She can be a menace in skilled hands.

## Background History

The ship was laid down during September 14, 1936; was launched on June 15, 1937; and was completed on March 21, 1939.

Early in the war, it helped in offensive mine laying operations, and harassed allied shipping in Britain. In preparation of Operation Barbarossa, she conducted anti-ship patrols off Soviet waters, but didn't sink any ships. She ran aground in July 1942, and was not sent back to action until December of that year.

During the later years of the war, she escorted convoys and refugee ships. After the war, she was given to the Soviet Union and was renamed Prochnyy in 1946. It was later scrapped in 1958.

## Tactics

The Z20 is a relatively straightforward ship, in that when fully upgraded, it becomes an automatic gunboat with the addition of American or pirate flag, though the Brazilian flag is the best choice. With a reload speed of 2 seconds, and having decent torpedoes, the Z20, while not a ship of the line, is capable of chipping away large portions of HP from even top tier ships, such as the Yamato under continuous fire. This is made better by the fact that if you spam HE shells the chance of causing a fire is extremely high. This ship should be treated as the cleaner which supports more powerful ships while cleaning up any stragglers but is more than capable of going into front line combat with its ludicrous rate of fire and hard to hit profile. Due to her low HP, don't be disappointed to be blown out of the water quickly by annoyed enemy battleships. Her AA guns are also not the best in the world and while decent, may not protect your allies or yourself as well as a Fletcher-class destroyer.

### Playing as a Karl Galster

As a Karl Galster, you must do your best distracting the enemy, taking in fire for your allies. The Karl Galster, just like any other destroyer; is fast, agile, and small. Enemies will be having a hard time attacking you. As you slowly vaporize the HP of your target by spamming HE or AP shells at them, your allies will have no difficulty finishing them off.

As you draw closer to your enemies, you should take caution and constantly maneuver to evade enemy fire. Rain down on them with a constant flow of shells; first fire with HE shells, and after you set your target aflame, fire with AP shells. But don't rely too much with your guns. If the conditions are right, fire your torpedoes. They may not deal that much damage, nor even hit at all; but the enemies will still be intimidated and be forced to expose their sides to you and your allies. However, keep in mind that this type of "Yolo Play" or "Rush in Torp" is extremely consequential and dangerous, especially in the Karl Galster, when you have very little HP to spare. Utilize it only when you are guaranteed to sink the foe, otherwise you might lose your ship and not be much of a use to your team after all. A destroyer like Karl Galster can easily turn the tide of a match if in skilled hands.

When enemy carriers are present, you must make their elimination a priority. Being an agile destroyer, you will prove to be a very enticing target due to the known threat that destroyers pose against them and attack you with as much aircraft as they can. Do your best to maneuver the torpedoes and bombs, while the carrier is distracted at attacking you instead of your allies.

### Playing alongside a Karl Galster

The Karl Galster proves to be an effective ally due to their characteristics. They can zip across the map and take fire for you as the enemy ships target them instead of you. And as the enemies are distracted, you can attack them without having to worry too much about enemy ships returning fire to you.

Also, you should be careful to not act as an obstruction to the path of a friendly Karl Galster's torpedoes.

### Playing against a Karl Galster

The Karl Galster is a rather pesky rival, and can be very frustrating to deal with. They will rain players down with a constant flow of shells, which will in turn cause many fires. You may feel tempted to want to put out the fires by using your extinguisher, but don't do it. The constant rain of lead from the Karl Galster will probably set another one, but this time you won't have the extinguisher to put it out, and it will burn for the full duration. Instead, try to seek cover once in flames and don't be tempted to return fire from the distance since it's great mobility will help it juke most of your shells. It is best that you attack when you are closer, when shells are more likely to strike it. But don't let it get too close; its torpedoes, though weak, are still dangerous.

As a carrier, you must avoid encountering and attacking the Karl Galster, unless if the chances are favorable or it makes the mistake of getting too close to you. Let your fellow warships deal with them first before you strike.

## Upgrades

* **Health Points (HP)**

* **Speed**

* **Turn**

* **Main Battery (Class 1)**

* **Anti-Aircraft Gun (Class 1)**
	+ Initial cost to purchase weapon.
		- Single A - free
		- Single B - 6,800
		- Single C - 11,050
		- Twin A - 15,800

* **Anti-Aircraft Gun (Class 2)**
	+ Initial cost to purchase weapon.
		- Twin A - free
		- Quad A - 6,800

* **Torpedo**

## Advantages and Disadvantages

### Advantages

* Rapid main gun reload, which can be further reduced down to 2 seconds when fully upgraded and with flags.
* Decent AA for a destroyer.
* Inexpensive shell cost.
* Inexpensive upgrades.
* Extreme fire setting capabilities.

### Disadvantages

* Large size for a destroyer.
* Low main gun damage.
* Lackluster torpedoes.
* Poor HP Pool, only USS Fletcher has lower HP.
* Below average turning time.

## Editor/Contributor's Opinion

1) **XercesDenial** :- " In my opinion, Karl Galster is probably one of the most underrated and under-powered ships in the game.. for what it was in reality... at least still I find this ship to be really strong and it can take on really powerful ships if played properly.. though I think she's a little slow and cumbersome for my liking.. I do enjoy playing her whenever I take her out for a ride...

2) **Thathsilu898** :- " She is the least liked but she also is the most liked..."

## Trivia

* The Karl Galster is named after Kapitanleutnant Karl Galster, who was killed in action on board the torpedo boat S-22 during 1916.
* Just like most German destroyers, this ship participated in various mine laying operations.

**Historical inaccuracies**

* The Karl Galster, contrary to its in game statistics, was a powerful destroyer.