Aircraft Carrier - Germany Tier VI E. Löwenhardt
Captain & Ship Build and Strategy Guide
- Build focus: Optimal German aircraft carrier build
- Playstyle: Specialized strike carrier with strong tactical bombers
- Main strength: Extremely powerful HE dive bombers and strong AP rockets
- Key distinction: Uses a custom build rather than the standard German CV setup
- Proximity Fuse: Not recommended because Löwenhardt does not benefit from it as much as other German CVs
- Repair Specialist: Provides little value on Löwenhardt and should not be prioritized
- Aircraft management: Preserve the relatively limited aircraft reserves and avoid unnecessary losses
- Target priority: Use AP rockets against cruisers and HE dive bombers against vulnerable targets, including destroyers
- Applies to: E. Löwenhardt
E. Löwenhardt is a Tier VI German aircraft carrier with a highly specialized aircraft lineup. Her strongest weapon is the HE dive bomber, while her AP rockets provide a powerful option against cruisers. Because her aircraft differ significantly from the standard German carrier setup, she benefits from a dedicated captain build rather than simply copying the tech-tree configuration.
The current Captain Builds reference specifically recommends a custom build for E. Löwenhardt. The main reason is that she does not benefit from Proximity Fuse nearly as much as the other German carriers, while Repair Specialist also provides little value to her particular aircraft setup.
Her HE dive bombers are the centerpiece of the carrier. They are particularly dangerous against destroyers and lightly armored targets, making them one of the main reasons to play Löwenhardt. Historical player reports also consistently identify the HE bombers as the ship's standout weapon, with a very high fire chance and strong damage when the drop is executed correctly.
The AP rocket aircraft provide a useful complement to the bombers. They are best suited to cruiser targets where the AP can penetrate the side armor effectively. This gives Löwenhardt a useful target-selection mechanic: use the rockets where AP is likely to work and save the HE bombers for targets that benefit from their explosive damage and fire-setting potential.
Aircraft preservation is important because Löwenhardt has relatively small squadrons and reserves. Avoid throwing complete attacks into heavy anti-aircraft fire simply for a small amount of damage. Her aircraft are powerful enough that a carefully selected strike is usually worth considerably more than repeatedly sacrificing planes for marginal damage.
Use the HE bombers aggressively against destroyers when the opportunity is safe. A successful attack can remove a large portion of a DD's health, while the small aiming reticle makes the bombers considerably more practical against smaller targets than many other German carriers.
Löwenhardt can also defend herself surprisingly well against ships that try to rush the carrier. Her secondary armament is useful against close-range threats, although it should be treated as a last line of defense rather than a reason to position the carrier near the frontline.
The key to E. Löwenhardt is specialization. Do not build her like a generic German carrier. Her strongest aircraft are the HE dive bombers, her AP rockets provide excellent cruiser pressure, and her limited aircraft reserves reward careful target selection. Preserve the planes, choose the right squadron for each target and make each strike count.