Italy Tier VII FR25 - Captain & Gunboat Build
- Build focus: A close-range gunboat build for FR25 that takes advantage of its strong main battery, usable gun range and French-style Engine Boost.
- Playstyle: FR25 combines Italian destroyer characteristics with French design influences. It gives up some torpedo range compared with other Italian destroyers in exchange for higher speed and a more useful main-gun range.
- Main battery: FR25 carries five 139 mm guns using HE and SAP ammunition. Its gun ballistics are similar to French and U.S.-style destroyer guns, so closing the distance before opening fire makes the main battery easier to use effectively.
- Engine Boost: The French-style Engine Boost is a major part of the build, providing the speed needed to close range, reposition quickly and disengage from unfavorable fights.
- Captain skills: If you prefer RPF (Radio Location), trade Basic Firing Training (BFT) and Consumables Specialist for the skills required to reach RPF.
- Upgrade choice: If you do not have the Engine Boost Modification 1 upgrade, use Engine Room Protection (ERP) instead.
- Applies to: VII FR25.
FR25 is a Tier VII Italian premium destroyer that combines Italian armament with characteristics inherited from its French Guépard-class design. The ship carries five 139 mm main guns and two triple torpedo launchers, making it primarily suited to an aggressive gunboat playstyle with torpedoes providing an additional source of pressure.
Compared with a more traditional Italian destroyer setup, FR25 trades some torpedo range for a powerful speed advantage and a more usable base gun range. The result is a destroyer that can use its mobility to close the distance, engage enemy destroyers and reposition before taking sustained return fire.
The main battery is most effective when used at closer ranges. FR25's gun ballistics are closer to the characteristics associated with U.S. and French destroyer guns than a conventional long-range gunboat. Closing the distance before firing makes it easier to land shells consistently and take advantage of the ship's HE and SAP ammunition.
The Engine Boost is an important part of this build. Use the speed increase to reach favorable engagement ranges, change position quickly and disengage when the enemy gains the advantage. The combination of speed and main-battery firepower makes FR25 particularly effective when played aggressively rather than sitting at maximum gun range.