IJN Gunboat DDs (Harugumo Line)

IJN Gunboat DDs (Harugumo Line)

Standard build

• Harugumo line DDs are firepower heavy gunboats with excellent HE DPM and hard hitting torpedoes. Poor maneuverability and floaty shells makes them tricky to use
  • Note: Applies to T8-10 ships. T5-7 ships play like torpedo boats, use the Shimakaze build instead
• This is a general purpose build that allows IJN gunboats to both support friendly DDs in cap contests and effectively farm larger enemy ships
  • Use the 12km torpedo option, 8km torps are too short range to be effective
  • If you want even more firepower at the expense of risking your engine and rudder, swap LS for DE.
  • Trade BFT for SI if you need the extra smoke for late game farming
  • IFHE is viable for 32mm HE pen, trade BFT in this case
  • If you don’t have the Engine boost mod, use ERP.
  • A Suzuki captain is a decent option for all IJN DDs due to his improved SE skill
  • Suzuki can be purchased in the armory for 1,500 doubloons or 35k coal
• Harugumo play as close - mid smoke farming gunships. They can support other DDs early game when fighting for spotting and cap control, but their primary focus should be damage farming mispositioned enemy ships. Stationary radar cruisers should be focused whenever possible, their radar will force you into the open where enemies can exploit your poor maneuverability. Otherwise, get close before smoking up to maximize your damage output
  • Pay attention to enemy turret orientation, you can safely open water gunfight if the enemy isn’t looking at you
  • 30mm pen lets you penetrate cruiser bow/stern armor with HE.
  • AP provides a notable DPM increase when used on broadside targets
• Side note: Harugumo is the cheapest line to reset for Research Bureau at 676k exp needed. Highly recommend to reset if you like regrinding the line or plan on spending free exp.
• Applies to Harekaze (100mm gun hull), Akizuki, Kitakaze and Harugumo. Minekaze, Hatsuharu, and Shiratsuyu play like the IJN Torp DDs, see Shimakaze for their build

Harugumo

LM build

• This build is centred around Harugumo’s unique/legendary upgrade (a.k.a legmod). It lets you gain more smoke uptime for more effective damage output, but you lose some concealment and thus lose out on DD fighting potential
  • You can trade BFT and 1pt skill for RPF for more teamplay
  • Note: This build works best when 3 man divisioning
  • The buff to her UU does not change her build, nor her level of recommendation
  • A Suzuki captain is a decent option for all IJN DDs due to his improved SE skill. Yamamoto is also good if you get kills to activate heal
• If you don’t have the Engine boost mod, use ERP.
• UU Harugumo leans even more heavily into damage farming, but works best if she shares her smoke with another cruiser. With US smoke duration and Harugumo firepower, any enemy caught out of position dies in very short order
  • The idea div is a spotting DD, Harugumo, and your choice of rapid firing cruiser like Des Moines