:Destroyer escorts, also known as ''kaiboukan'', are cheap, mass-produced vessels focused on ASW, and that's what they should be used for.
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:With proper gear, they can perform OASW attacks from level 1 and consume very little fuel and ammo, giving an excellent bang for your bucks when it comes to dealing with subs.
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:However, they are a poor fit for surface combat, so make sure not to expose them to enemy surface ships too much.
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:The differences in combat stats that actually matter between DEs are minimal, so feel free to use the ones you prefer.
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:They're also very cheap and easy to sparkle, and can therefore be used in expeditions that do not require a [[Drum Canister]] (as they cannot equip those).
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:Furthermore, they can be used for an unique kind of [[Modernization]] that can increase HP, ASW and Luck. Refer to the corresponding page for details on that.