Submarine - France Tier X Surcouf
Captain & Ship Build and Strategy Guide
- Build focus: Consumable-focused submarine build
- Playstyle: Surface-focused torpedo attacker with submarine capabilities
- Main guns: Twin 203mm guns with Elbing-style accuracy
- Torpedoes: Four forward torpedoes and two rotating triple launchers at the rear
- Key consumables: Main Battery Reload Booster, Speed Boost, ASW Airstrike and Spotter Plane
- Battery: Less emphasis on battery capacity because Surcouf spends more time on the surface
- Gun build: Main Battery Modification 3 and Aiming Systems Modification can be used for a meme gun-focused setup
- Gun role: Ambush cruiser broadsides with AP and finish low-health destroyers
- Submarine role: ASW Airstrikes and main guns make Surcouf effective in submarine engagements
- Key weakness: Large hull makes prolonged surface combat dangerous when multiple enemies can return fire
- Applies to: Surcouf
Surcouf is a unique French submarine that blurs the line between submarine and cruiser. She carries ten torpedoes, twin 203mm guns, a large hull and a collection of consumables normally associated with surface ships. Unlike conventional submarines, Surcouf spends a significant amount of time on the surface, using her guns and speed to complement her torpedo attacks.
Her torpedo layout is unusual. Four torpedoes are mounted forward, while two triple launchers are positioned at the rear. The rear launchers can rotate, giving Surcouf additional flexibility when attacking targets while moving or disengaging. Importantly, her torpedoes are not homing torpedoes, so positioning and attack angles are more important than ping management.
The main guns are another major part of the ship. Surcouf carries twin 203mm guns with Elbing-style accuracy, making them surprisingly effective against exposed targets. The guns are particularly useful for ambushing cruiser broadsides with AP or finishing off low-health destroyers that would otherwise survive a torpedo attack.
Because Surcouf spends more time on the surface than a conventional submarine, the recommended build places greater emphasis on her numerous consumables rather than maximizing battery capacity. Main Battery Reload Booster, Speed Boost, ASW Airstrikes and the Spotter Plane all contribute to her unusual surface-oriented playstyle.
For a more meme-oriented gun build, Main Battery Modification 3 in Slot 6 and Aiming Systems Modification in Slot 3 can be used. This setup makes the 203mm guns more central to the gameplay and can be especially entertaining when hunting destroyers or punishing cruiser broadsides. The obvious downside is that you are giving up some of the more practical submarine-focused advantages.
Surcouf generally plays more like a torpedo destroyer that happens to be able to submerge. Use her high surface speed to reposition around the map and reach favorable torpedo angles. Once in position, attack with torpedoes before diving when necessary to break contact or avoid incoming fire.
The guns are situational rather than your primary source of damage. Use AP when a cruiser exposes its broadside and HE or gunfire when finishing weakened destroyers. The ASW Airstrike also gives Surcouf a strong role against enemy submarines, allowing her to combine airstrikes and main-gun fire when the opportunity arises.
The most important rule is to remember that you are still a submarine. Surcouf's large hull and surface armament can make it tempting to stay above water and fight like a cruiser, but this becomes dangerous very quickly when several enemies can shoot back. Only commit to prolonged surface engagements when you are confident that the number of return-firing enemies is limited.
Surcouf rewards aggressive positioning combined with good judgment. Use your speed to establish torpedo angles, exploit your accurate 203mm guns when targets expose themselves, and dive whenever the surface fight becomes too dangerous.The ability to switch between submarine and surface combat is what makes Surcouf unique.