Battleship - Japan Tier X Aki
Captain & Ship Build and Strategy Guide
- Build focus: Standard battleship build with tactical bomber improvements
- Playstyle: Long-range hybrid battleship that transitions into aggressive bow-in combat
- Main battery: Yamato-style main guns mounted forward
- Aircraft: Tactical HE dive bombers launched from the rear flight deck
- Captain sharing: Yamato's build can be used if you do not want a dedicated Aki captain
- Bomber strength: Each bomber attack is roughly equivalent to two Midway HE dive bomber strikes
- Bomber charges: Aki can store up to 2 bomber charges
- Early game: Use the Yamato-style long-range playstyle while managing torpedo threats
- Mid/late game: Move forward and use the forward guns to bow tank
- Key weakness: No rear main guns make kiting difficult and backing up is extremely slow
- Applies to: Aki
Aki is a unique Tier X Japanese hybrid battleship that combines Yamato-style main guns at the front with a flight deck at the rear for tactical HE dive bombers. The result is a ship with two very different modes of play: a conventional long-range battleship while the aircraft are unavailable and a highly dangerous tactical strike platform once the bombers are ready.
Aki follows the standard battleship build with several adjustments to improve her tactical bombers. If you do not want to dedicate a separate commander, Yamato's captain build can be used as the basis. The main idea is still to preserve the strengths of a traditional Japanese battleship while making the tactical aircraft more useful.
While in ship mode, Aki generally follows Yamato's long-range playstyle. Her main guns provide the consistent damage source, and the forward-focused arrangement also allows her to fight bow-in when the situation calls for it. However, unlike Yamato, Aki has no rear main guns, which becomes a major limitation when trying to retreat or kite away from an enemy push.
The tactical HE dive bombers are where Aki becomes particularly dangerous. Each attack is roughly equivalent to two Midway HE dive bomber strikes, giving the aircraft exceptional burst potential. They can be used to pressure destroyers, punish larger ships or force enemies to change course before your main guns take advantage of the resulting movement.
Destroyers are especially vulnerable to the bombers because the aircraft can remain overhead while lining up the attack. Use this to pressure a DD away from an objective or force it into a predictable maneuver, then follow up with your main guns or allied fire. Against larger ships, the bombers can deliver enormous damage when the drop is timed correctly.
Aki can store up to two bomber charges, so do not feel obligated to spend every attack immediately. Keeping a charge available can be valuable when an important opportunity appears later, particularly when an enemy destroyer becomes exposed or a battleship commits to a predictable position.
Early in the battle, play conservatively and use the ship mode much like Yamato. Keep your distance, look for broadside targets and avoid exposing Aki unnecessarily. The hybrid aircraft are an additional weapon, not a reason to abandon the positioning that keeps the battleship alive.
Once the major torpedo threats have been dealt with and the enemy fleet begins to weaken, Aki can move forward. Her forward guns make bow-in fighting effective, allowing her to take a more aggressive position while continuing to use the tactical bombers against ships that cannot easily escape.
Be careful not to push too deeply. If the flank collapses, Aki has very limited options for retreating. With no rear main guns, turning around exposes the ship and removes much of her firepower, while simply reversing takes too long. Plan the exit route before committing to an aggressive bow-in position.
Aki is therefore strongest when the captain deliberately switches between her two roles. Use the main guns for reliable battleship pressure, use the bombers to create sudden bursts and force enemy movement, then gradually move forward when the battlefield makes a closer position safe. Her greatest strength is the ability to attack from two very different vectors.
The key to Aki is knowing when to be a battleship and when to be a hybrid. Play the opening game like Yamato, use the tactical bombers to disrupt and punish targets, then exploit the forward main battery in the mid and late game without pushing so far that you cannot retreat.