USN Universal-type DDs (Gearing Line)

Standard build

• Solid universal DD line that excels at close range knife fights and providing smokes for allies. Very slow shells makes even mid-range gunnery difficult at best while their low HP pool renders them ill-suited for extended fights
  • Optimal playstyle changes as you progress up the tier
    • Tier 2-6 DDs use a close range playstyle, excellent damage output but cannot stealth torp due to limited range
    • Tier 7-9 DDs are all-around DDs with solid gun DPM and respectable torpedo range.
    • Tier 10 Gearing is a torpedo oriented DD with excellent long range torpedoes and sufficient gun firepower for self-defense
• This is a general purpose build that puts emphasis on both USN DDs’ weapon systems, allowing them to both contest caps reasonably well and deal damage to larger ships.
  • Concealment Expert is absolutely mandatory!!!!! Otherwise you are playing with a crippled ship that will struggle with even basic DD roles. Strongly recommend avoiding PvP modes above Tier 5 until you get a 10pt captain that can take CE.
  • Gearing UU is a sidegrade, trading firepower for Shimakaze level concealment. Ideal for support builds and competitive mode builds.
  • While the Doe captains do not offer any useful skills, they start with 10pts can can be useful to skip the 10pt grind.
    • Doe costs 35k coal or 1.5k doubloons in the armory
  • Ovechkin is a good captain for all USN DDs because of his improved SE skill.
  • Dedicated Tier 5-7 DDs can trade Fill the Tubes for IFHE to increase their HE pen to 26mm, allowing them to rapidly chew through T7 and below BBs
  • Teamplay dedicated builds can take SI and Consumables Specialist to provide upto 4 smokes for their allies. Recommended for div play only
• If you don’t have the Engine boost mod, use ERP.
• Tier 2-6 DDs lean heavy towards short range gunboat playstyle, using their rapid fire guns to hose down targets under 7km. Early game is usually spent bullying other stealthy DDs. Ambush them using islands. Once you’ve sunk them or forced them away, then take the caps. Try to conserve smoke for farming, but don’t be afraid to use for escape if the alternative is dying.
• Tier 7-9 DDs are well rounded universal DDs, retaining the strong close range firepower while supplementing it with mid range torpedoes and great concealment. Same tactics apply, though be careful when engaging strong gunboat DDs like the Russian or French DDs as they usually outgun you.
• Tier 10 Gearing and Supership Humphreys leans more torpedo boat, especially Gearing when using her Unique Upgrade. Most DDs now outgun her due to her awful shell ballistics, though Gearing can still trade evenly at very close range. Smoke up allies while you spot and torp the enemy. For solo playstyle, use your great concealment to avoid bigger gunboats while forcing fights against other stealthy DDs like Shimakaze. Smoke is still powerful, but beware the numerous radar threats at Tier 10
• Applies to Sampson, Wickes, Smith, Clemson, Nicholas, Hill, Farragut, Mahan, Sims, Benson, Fletcher, Gearing, Joshua Humphreys.

USN DDs (Gearing Line)

Torpedo build

• The Gearing line undergoes an identity change as you progress up the line, starting as a close range gunboat line from Tier 2-6, transforming into a versatile universal DD line for Tier 7-9, and finally ending as a torpedo DD at Tier 10 Gearing
• This is a build that puts emphasis on the High tier USN DDs’ strong torpedoes, which reduces their cap contesting ability, but improves their damage output against larger ships.
• Gearing’s legendary upgrade is especially good with this build.
• Trade Swift Fish and Consumable Enhancement for RPF if you need the extra warning against other DDs
• Ovechkin is a good captain for all USN DDs because of his improved SE skill.
• If you don’t have the Engine boost mod, use ERP.
• Applies to Monaghan, Fletcher, Benham, Gearing, Somers and Joshua Humphreys.