Battleship - Germany Tier VIII Brandenburg
Captain & Ship Build and Strategy Guide
- Build focus: Secondary battleship build
- Playstyle: Aggressive close-range brawler
- Main strength: Numerous, powerful secondary guns
- Main weakness: Lower HP pool and weaker main battery than conventional German BBs
- Key skill: IFHE for 32mm secondary penetration
- Fire chance: Demolition Expert helps offset the fire chance reduction from IFHE
- Commander: Lütjens is a strong choice for maximizing secondary performance
- Alternative: Standard Preussen tank build can also be used
- Applies to: Brandenburg
Brandenburg is essentially a German Tier VIII brawler built around a smaller-caliber main battery and an unusually strong secondary armament. Compared with Bismarck and Tirpitz, she carries 305 mm guns and has a lower HP pool, but gains additional secondary firepower that makes close-range engagements her natural environment.
The secondary build is the best way to emphasize what makes Brandenburg different. Her large number of 105 mm secondary guns benefits considerably from IFHE, allowing them to penetrate 32mm armor. The loss of fire chance can be partially offset with Demolition Expert. The current WoWS Captain Builds guide also specifically recommends the secondary-focused approach because of Brandenburg's unusually high number of 105 mm guns and lower HP pool.
Lütjens is another strong choice for the ship because his improved commander skills and talents can further increase secondary performance. A standard German battleship captain can still be shared with Brandenburg, but the dedicated secondary build gets considerably more out of her unique armament.
Early in the battle, resist the temptation to immediately push forward. Brandenburg has less health than many opponents at her tier, so getting focused before the secondaries can contribute is a quick way to lose your advantage. Use the opening minutes to read the minimap, identify the enemy deployment and soften targets with the main battery.
Once the enemy begins to lose strength, Brandenburg can become much more aggressive. Look for isolated ships, weakened flanks or opponents that have already committed too far forward. Islands and friendly smoke can help you close the distance without taking unnecessary punishment on the approach.
When there are too many enemy ships covering your intended approach, patience is usually the better option. Allow opponents to push into your secondary range instead of charging into several firing angles yourself. Brandenburg is much more effective when the fight develops around her rather than when she becomes the sole focus of an entire flank.
Your main guns should remain active throughout these engagements. The 305 mm battery is not as intimidating as the larger German guns, but it can still punish broadside targets and provide the burst damage that the secondary battery lacks. Look for opportunities to combine a main-battery salvo with sustained secondary fire.
A standard Preussen tank build is also viable if you prefer a more conventional battleship setup or want to share a captain with other German battleships. In that case, follow the Preussen tank-build playstyle, which emphasizes close- to mid-range fighting while taking advantage of German survivability and secondary utility.
Brandenburg is at her best when she can choose the moment of the brawl. Gather information early, preserve your HP, then use your secondary battery to overwhelm enemies once the battle creates a favorable opening. Do not simply rush because you have strong secondaries—the right engagement is what makes the build work.