USA CA Des Moines Line - Standard Captain Build
- Close - Mid range cruisers with great firepower and powerful radar at the expense of poor citadel protection. AP has improved pen angles and will eat through broadside ships.
- This build is optimised for maximum game impact by using your radar and fighting enemy ships at medium and close range.
- The legendary upgrade is highly recommended for Des Moines and should be one of your top priorities. It pushes DM to a whole new level.
- Make sure you run hydro on Salem, not radar.
- Exceptions: Anchorage should use the spotter plane consumable and upgrade.
- Both Doe brothers and Halsey are very good captains for USN CAs, both due to their improved skills, and talents.
- In case a ship doesn’t have radar or you don’t have the Radar mod, use ERP or Hydro mod in slot 2.
- Applies to Pensacola, New Orleans, Indianapolis, Baltimore, Wichita, Anchorage, Rochester, Buffalo, Tulsa, Des Moines, Salem and Annapolis.
State of Des Moines in 2026 & Strategy Guide
The American Tier X heavy cruiser Des Moines is one of the most iconic ships in World of Warships history. Renowned for its rapid-firing 203mm guns and long-duration surveillance radar, it was long considered the king of cap control. However, in 2026, the ship faces a very different meta.
The Good
- Devastating DPM: Des Moines' 203mm main battery still boasts top-tier HE/AP damage per minute. When you catch an enemy broadside, few cruisers can melt them as fast.
- Superior Radar Utility: Equipping standard Surveillance Radar (especially with the Radar Mod) gives you an extremely long radar duration, completely denying capping areas to enemy destroyers.
- High Shell Arcs: While slow shell velocity makes long-range tracking tricky, it allows you to lob shells over low islands while remaining hidden.
The Bad
- Armor Power-Creep: Des Moines relies heavily on its 30mm deck/upper belt armor. In the current meta filled with Tier X and Tier XI super-battleships, overmatch damage goes straight through your nose and deck.
- Lack of Mobility & Range: It is not a fast cruiser. If you get caught out in the open without cover, you cannot outrun or easily range-farm incoming salvos.
- Carrier Vulnerability: Des Moines struggles when left isolated under carrier focus.
Tactical Playstyle Strategy
Mastering Island Positioning
Des Moines requires safe island positions close enough to contest caps but low enough to shoot over.
- Look for low-profile rocks where your floaty shell trajectories allow you to hit targets while staying completely undetected.
- Use Propulsion Mod to reverse in and out of island corners, minimizing the angle you present to broadside battleships.
Radar Patience
Do not click Radar immediately upon getting spotted. Wait for enemy destroyers to commit deeper into cap zones or exit island cover. Combining your extended radar time with friendly destroyer/cruiser focus fire will clear flanks rapidly.
AP Shell Selection
While HE is useful for starting perma-fires on angled battleships, Des Moines' AP features improved bounce angles. When enemy cruisers or battleships turn broadside, switch to AP to punish them with rapid citadels and heavy chunk damage.