Daring Line - Build
- RN DDs are great cap contesters whose short smokes, hydro, and improved acceleration makes them notably harder to kill than other DDs
- This build enables RN DDs to fight over objectives and deal some damage to larger ships.
- If you don’t have the Hydro mod, use ERP.
- Applies to Medea, Valkyrie, Wakeful, Acasta, Icarus, Jervis, Lightning, Cossack, Jutland, Somme and Daring.
Strategy Guide
The Daring is a Tier X universal-type destroyer that excels as a cap contester and destroyer duellist. Its playstyle is defined by high survivability, unique smoke mechanics, and exceptional acceleration.
Core Playstyle: The Cap Specialist
The Daring’s primary role is to contest capture zones and keep enemy destroyers in check while dealing consistent damage to larger vessels.
- Early Game Capping: You should enter caps by reversing towards the enemy. This allows you to leverage your high acceleration to escape quickly if you are outgunned or spotted by radar.
- Winning Trades: Daring is exceptionally good at winning trades against other destroyers because it possesses a Repair Party (heal) and high HE DPM. You can pop a few volleys at an enemy, force them to shoot back, and then use your short-duration smoke to disappear and heal up, winning the engagement through attrition.
- Optimal Engagement Range: Against enemy destroyers, the ideal distance is 6–10 km. You should be cautious about engaging destroyers with superior ballistics at longer ranges.
Weaponry and Combat Tactics
- Improved AP Shells: Daring features improved ricochet angles on its AP shells. You should use AP liberally against enemy destroyers and the upper belts of larger ships, as it is less likely to bounce and can deal massive damage.
- Torpedo Versatility: While its torpedoes are average in damage and range, they can be fired individually or in volleys. They are best used against ships pushing toward your position or in situations where guns cannot be used.
- Gunnery and Dodging: The ship features built-in "warp drive" acceleration, allowing you to "stop-start" dodge enemy fire more effectively than almost any other destroyer.
Consumable and Utility Management
- Smokes on Demand: Daring uses short-duration smokes with many charges and a rapid reload. These are best used offensively to get quick bursts of gun damage or defensively to break line-of-sight and disengage from unfavorable fights.
- Defensive Hydro: The ship has a short-range, long-duration Hydroacoustic Search. It should be used defensively to protect yourself and allies from incoming torpedoes. Aggressive hydro use is discouraged because the range is too short to safely trap enemy destroyers in smoke.
- Sustainability: Because Daring is so forgiving due to its smokes and heals, it is often not recommended as a starter branch for new players as it can teach "bad habits" in destroyer play.
Mid-to-Late Game Flow
Once early cap control is established or if you are forced away by overwhelming numbers, transition to farming damage off larger ships. In the late game, focus on mopping up lone targets and using your concealment to out-cap the enemy team.