Destroyer - U.S.S.R. Tier IX Neustrashimy - Captain & Gunboat Build
- Build focus: A DPM-focused gunboat build that takes advantage of Neustrashimy's exceptional survivability.
- Playstyle: Use the ship's large survivability advantage to take favorable destroyer engagements and outlast opposing DDs.
- Main battery: The 12.8 km gun range is sufficient for the ship's intended role, so additional gun range is generally unnecessary.
- Survivability: Neustrashimy's strong survivability allows her to remain effective through repeated engagements and gives her an advantage in prolonged DD duels.
- DPM: Improving main-battery damage output is preferred because the ship already has the survivability needed to capitalize on extended engagements.
- Anti-DD option: Trade Demolition Expert and Basic Firing Training for Fearless Brawler and a 1-point skill of your choice for an even stronger DD-dueling setup.
- Range: Avoid investing in additional gun range unless you have a specific reason to do so; 12.8 km is adequate for the recommended playstyle.
- Applies to: IX Neustrashimy.
Neustrashimy is a Soviet destroyer that stands out because of her exceptional survivability. Rather than building around maximum range or trying to avoid every source of damage, this setup takes advantage of the ship's ability to remain in the fight and focuses on improving the damage she can produce during those engagements.
The central idea behind the build is simple: Neustrashimy already has the tools to survive a destroyer duel, so improving her DPM makes those advantages even more meaningful. A stronger gun battery allows the ship to convert her superior staying power into more reliable damage over the course of an engagement.
This is particularly useful when fighting other destroyers. A DD duel is rarely decided by the first salvo alone; positioning, concealment, maneuvering and the ability to remain effective after taking damage all matter. Neustrashimy's survivability gives her room to absorb some punishment and continue fighting, making sustained gun damage a natural complement to the ship.
There is little reason to build around extreme firing range. With a 12.8 km main-gun range, Neustrashimy already has enough reach for the intended close-to-medium-range destroyer engagements. Extending that range further would encourage a more passive style without directly improving the role in which the ship is strongest.
Instead, the build is designed to make the existing gun range more productive. Closing the distance allows Neustrashimy to put more shells on target while also making it easier to capitalize on her ability to survive return fire. The goal is not to sit at maximum range and trade ineffective long-distance salvos, but to create engagements where the ship's durability matters.
Players who want to push the anti-destroyer aspect even further can replace Demolition Expert and Basic Firing Training with Fearless Brawler and a one-point skill of their choice. This version sacrifices some of the general-purpose DPM setup in exchange for a stronger specialization toward direct DD combat.
The choice between the standard DPM setup and the dedicated anti-DD variation therefore depends largely on how aggressively you intend to contest enemy destroyers. The standard configuration provides broader damage potential, while the Fearless Brawler variant is better suited to players who deliberately seek out close-range destroyer engagements.
Neustrashimy's survivability should not be interpreted as permission to take unnecessary damage. The advantage comes from being able to survive engagements that would be too costly for other destroyers, not from absorbing damage without regard for positioning. Preserve HP when possible so that the ship's durability remains an advantage later in the battle.
The resulting playstyle is that of a durable Soviet gunboat that wants to take fights other destroyers would rather avoid. Keep the guns active, use the ship's survivability to remain competitive in extended engagements and avoid wasting captain points on additional range that does not meaningfully improve the intended role.