There is no such thing as a "perfect" or "universal" setup.
Each and every situation requires its own assortment of ships and equipment, with some setups being more common/effective than others.

To observe what setups other players are using in any given situation, please see KCnav

This article aims to cover the most commonly used equipment setups for each ship type. It is to give an idea of what are the most efficient load-outs to make ships effective in a particular role. This means that this article will not cover some niche setups that are too specific. For those equipment setups, please refer to the relevant pages.

See here for a breakdown of all equipment types and their related mechanics.
For more details on some mechanics, please see each relevant page.
Please mind each individual plane slot size when applicable. Aircraft should be placed in the biggest slots available to be more effective.

Standard Combat

"Standard combat" refers to most of the encountered engagements in the game, being surface battles in nature, with some air component.

For more information on this topic, see Combat.

For more information on this topic, see Day Battle.

For more information on this topic, see Aerial Combat.

For more information on this topic, see Night Battle.

Battleships (BB) notably utilize Large Caliber Main Guns, Recon Seaplane Recons, and AP Shells, having heavy firepower and armor , but lacking torpedo & ASW stats. They:

Are required to unlock the "Second Shelling Phase".
Must be "Fast+" to be placed in the Escort of a Combined Fleet.

Equipment	Notes
	This is the most basic combat setup for BBs. The AP shell enables the most powerful artillery spotting attack and provides bonus damage. This setup should be run the majority of the time. For 5-slot BBs, a or would generally be used for extra air power.

Misc

Equipment	Notes
	This is a setup for the Yamato-class Kai Ni and requires a reinforcement expansion. This setup should also only be used in a main fleet of a combined fleet as it can trigger main/secondary cut-in at night. This setup allows Musashi to perform AACI. It also her a higher trigger rate of artillery spotting because the equipment setup fulfills the trigger requirements for a wider array of special attacks.

Standard Aircraft Carriers (CV) notably utilize Dive Bombers, Torpedo Bombers, Fighters, required to take part in both Aerial Combat and regular Combat, with their "plane slot" stat being the most important. They:

Must equip / bombers to be able to carry any attack.
Cannot attack during Night Battle without the right equipment.

Unlike other ship types, equipment placement order matters for carriers. The general rules are:

Bombers in top slot
Torpedo bomber in largest slot
Fighters in the smaller slots
Recons and mics equipment in the smallest slots

Equipment	Notes
	This is the basic setup for CV/Ls. It balances striking power with fighter power. The amount of and can be adjusted depending on how much enemy airpower is expected. One can be swapped out with a Saiun if preventing Red-T engagement is necessary.

Misc

Equipment	Notes
	This setup is known as a "fighter mule". The CV/L will be unable to attack and her only role is to provide as much fighter support as possible.
NOAP	This setup is to allow CV/Ls to perform night battle attacks. Since the CV/L will lose 1 slot to fit the NOAP , careful consideration needs to be taken when running this setup.
	This setup is only for CVN as they are able to perform night battle special attacks without the NOAP. The should ideally be a Night Aircraft to maximize NB damage and allow CVCI during the day.

Heavy Cruisers (CA) are relatively flexible, utilizing Medium Caliber Main Guns, Torpedoes, and Recon Seaplane Recons, and having strong firepower , torpedo , and "night attack power " stats, but no ASW.

Equipment	Notes
	This is the most basic combat setup for most heavy cruisers. It provides both day and night double attacks. The wild card can be anything that does not interfere with the double attack setup. The wild card is usually a RADAR of some sort to increase the artillery spotting trigger rate.
	This is an alternative setup for CAs in the main fleet of a combined fleet. Do not use this setup if CAs are expected to engage in night battle. This setup gives them extra hitting power for artillery spotting at the expense of having a terrible night battle cut in. If applicable, on can be replaced by the SCAMP SCAMP to gain the firepower without losing the DA.
	This is an alternative combat setup where CAs are expected to be fighting without artillery spotting. The extra secondary guns will give them extra firepower in the daytime without interfering with night battle double attacks. Any secondary gun can be used but yellow ones are preferred for the higher firepower. The wild card can be anything that doesn't interfere with night battle attacks. It will typically be night battle equipment or an additional yellow gun.
	This is the standard CA setup for Torpedo Cut-In (TCI). Since any CA that can TCI or should be luck-modded to be capable of TCI can already hit the cap with two torpedoes, it is better to have a main gun over a 3rd torpedo. This will allow them to be somewhat effective during the day and gain the bonus accuracy from equipping an IJN 20.3. The wild card can be anything that doesn't interfere with this setup. It will typically be night battle equipment.

Misc

Equipment	Notes
	This is a unique setup for Maya Kai Ni. This is the typical setup that allows her to perform artillery spotting, night battle double attacks, and AACI. There are several variants to this setup depending on what role she needs to be specialized in. Trading a for a will let her focus more on anti-air at the expense of artillery spotting. If having two 5inch Twin Dual-purpose Gun Mount (Concentrated Deployment) or the GFCS variant, it is possible to maintain artillery spotting and AACI.
	This setup is for Suzuya Kai Ni and Kumano Kai Ni. It maximizes the air power they can bring to bear while maintaining nighttime double attacks. One SPF can be swapped out for a recon seaplane if you need them to perform daytime spotting as well.

Light Cruisers (CL) are very flexible, utilizing Medium Caliber Main Guns, Torpedoes, Recon Seaplane Recons, and ASW equipment, and having strong torpedo , ASW , and "night attack power " stats.

Also applicable to CT to some extent for standard combat and ASW.

Equipment	Notes
	This is the most basic combat setup for most light cruisers. The exception would be light cruisers that have 0 plane slots. In that case, swap the seaplane for any utility equipment that won't interfere with the double attack setup.
Torpedo Torpedo	This setup is the standard Torpedo Cut-In (TCI) setup. One may be a Minisub to add an opening torpedo for capable ships. Two must not be minisubs, as minisubs do not count as torpedos for TCI.
Minisub +	This is a unique setup for Yura Kai Ni that allows her to provide air support while maintaining night battle double attacks and opening torpedoes. The gun in the Reinforcement Expansion must be a 8cm High-angle Mount or 8cm Twin High-angle Mount + Additional Machine Guns.
Minisub	This is a unique setup for Yuubari Kai Ni Toku when she isn't running the full TCI setup. The wild card can be a tank, landing craft, or anti-ground rocket for anti-installation work, or a sonar for ASW work.

Misc

Equipment	Notes
Minisub	This is a unique setup for Yura Kai Ni's AACI. The gun in the Reinforcement Expansion must be a 8cm High-angle Mount or 8cm Twin High-angle Mount + Additional Machine Guns. The wildcard should preferably be a to allow her to maintain night battle double attacks. If need be, the midget submarine can be swapped for a recon seaplane to allow her to perform daytime spotting.
+	This is a setup to take advantage of Ooyodo/Agano-class/CT reinforcement expansion. By placing a in it, it allows to perform artillery spotting and night battle double attacks while freeing up one/two slots for utility purposes. The wild cards can be anything that does not interfere with the special attacks. It can be night battle equipment or a Fleet Command Facility.

Torpedo Cruisers (CLT) have a very high torpedo stat, having the strongest "night attack power " in the game. They:

Can equip Minisub Midget Submarines and carry out Opening Torpedo Salvo,
Should utilize Torpedoes or Secondary Guns.

Equipment	Notes
Minisub	This is the most basic combat setup for Kai Ni torpedo cruisers, opening torpedo + night double attack. may be replaced by to avoid "Hidden Accuracy Penalties".
Torpedo Torpedo Minisub	This setup is the standard Torpedo Cut-In (TCI) setup. Two must not be minisubs, as minisubs do not count as torpedos for TCI.

Destroyers (DD) are very versatile, utilizing Small Caliber Main Guns, Torpedoes, and ASW equipment, and having high torpedo , ASW , and evasion , and good "night attack power " stats, to the detriment of firepower and armor. They:

Have lower resource consumption,
Very permissive Routings.
Have access to special Night Cut-Ins.

Equipment	Notes
	This is the most basic combat setup for all destroyers. Green dual-purpose guns like the 10cm Twin High-angle Mount contribute Fleet Anti-Air (FAA) while allowing destroyers to perform night battle double attacks. Ideally, using the 10cm Twin High-angle Mount + Anti-Aircraft Fire Director is preferable. Destroyer guns do not provide enough extra firepower to allow them to contribute to day combat. The extra FAA from dual-purpose guns will help more by mitigating airstrike damage. The wildcard can be anything that doesn't interfere with double attacks. In most cases, this will be an Air, allowing any ship to activate AACI 5, with AACI 9 & 13 being also possible if the ship has an RE.
	This is an alternative setup for maps with minimal enemy airpower. This setup should only be used for destroyers with fit bonuses. It is for maximizing firepower just to squeeze out every last bit of damage.
	This setup is the standard Torpedo Cut-In (TCI) setup. It should only be used on destroyers with at least 50 . Destroyers with 40 are still possible candidates for TCI, but should be placed as the flagship to maximize their trigger chances.
	This setup is an alternative TCI setup. This setup is typically used for either powerful destroyers (E.g. Yuudachi, Ayanami, Naganami) that can hit the night battle cap with two torpedoes or low luck (30 ) destroyers. In the case of powerful destroyers, the wild card can be night battle equipment or a main gun. The latter will help them maintain some effectiveness during day combat. For low-luck destroyers, the wild card should be a . This will help increase their trigger rate somewhat.

Coastal Defense Ships (DE) are weak ships with high ASW stat, utilizing ASW equipment. They:

Can perform special OASW with lower ASW stat,
Provide HP Modernization, Luck Modernization, or ASW Modernization,
Cannot equip Engine Improvements, and so cannot be Speed Modded.

Equipment	Notes
	DE are primarily used for ASW. In the event they are used for combat, green dual-purpose guns like the 10cm Twin High-angle Mount contribute Fleet Anti-Air (FAA) while allowing destroyers to perform night battle double attacks. Ideally, using the 10cm Twin High-angle Mount + Anti-Aircraft Fire Director is preferable. Destroyer guns do not provide enough extra firepower to allow them to contribute to day combat. The extra FAA from dual-purpose guns will help more by mitigating airstrike damage. The wildcard can be anything that doesn't interfere with double attacks. In most cases, this will be an Air, allowing any ship to activate at least AACI 5.

Submarines (SS) have high torpedo stats, and are limited to the Opening Torpedo Salvo, the Closing Torpedo Salvo, and Night Battle. They:

Are only vulnerable to ASW only.
Utilize Sub Submarine Torpedoes and Submarine Equipment.
Can inately trigger Opening Torpedo Salvos after reaching level 10.
Have access to special Night Cut-Ins.

Equipment	Notes
	This is the standard setup for SS. This setup aims to maximize their opening and closing torpedo power. Any TCI that manages to trigger in night battle is just a bonus. SS with 3 slots can either take another or utility equipment like or . Two must not be minisubs, as minisubs do not count as torpedos for TCI.
Sub_LM + Sub_LM	By combining Late Model Submarine Torpedoes with or with other LM sub torpedoes, the SS will be able to trigger a "new TCI" at night, while keeping the advantages listed above.
Sub_LM +

Misc

Equipment	Notes
	This setup is used when taking SSV for air support.

Seaplane Tenders (AV) notably utilize Recon/Bomber/ seaplane Recons/Bombers/Fighters, as well as some Main Guns and Minisub Midget Submarines, participating in most Combat stages, given the correct setup. They can also be used for an Anti-Installation role, as they can carry most Anti-Ground Equipment.

Equipment	Notes
Bomber Bomber Minisub	This is the most basic combat setup for most seaplane tenders. Provides maximum potential opening damage. AV that can't equip Minisub or Kamoi Kai can swap for an extra Bomber. 4-slot AVs can take an extra Bomber. Seaplane bombers may be replaced with fighters if more airpower is needed.
	Fighter Mule. Used to maximize the AV's fighter power. 4 slots AVs can take an extra
Bomber Minisub Bomber Bomber	This setup is for 4 slots AV. The seaplane bombers give a decent airstrike and allow to perform Artillery Spotting with the double guns. may be replaced by to avoid "Hidden Accuracy Penalties", and some Bomber may be replaced by for air power, to the detriment of Artillery Spotting.

Most of the other Auxiliary ships are not combat-focused, and so their set-ups are heavily dependent on special mechanics, or can serve for "stat mulling" such as fighter mulling.

Anti-Submarine

For more information on this topic, see Anti-Submarine Warfare.

Are listed here some recommended equipment setups for ASW duties. The equipment order is illustrative and does not reasonably matter. As general rules:

The first priority is to have OASW, even at the expense of synergy:
- DE can OASW more easily than DD,
- Because increase with levels using high-level ships can help,
- Take note that DEs have bonus armor penetration from Depth Charges.
To further maximize ASW effectiveness, regardless if an OASW is triggered or not, it is recommended to use:
- Small DCP DCR
When using carriers, it is recommended to use CVE, as they have a base stat.

Equipment	Notes
DD/DE/CL/...
Small DCP DCR	This ASW setup maximizes the ASW by taking advantage of the synergy. One of the depth charges needs to be a Depth Charge Projector while the other needs to be a Depth Charge (Racks). Take note that reaching the OASW threshold takes precedence over everything. In this case, just replace depth charges with equipment that has a higher ASW.

Only CVE & Kaga Kai Ni Go should be considered for this task, as other CV/CVB cannot attack submarines, and other CVL lack ASW stats.

Equipment	Notes
CVL/Kaga Kai Ni Go
/////	ASW Aircraft or just planes with good ASW should be prioritized. It is possible to maintain some surface combat capabilities, by doing a normal CVCI with high ASW panes, or by stacking .

Equipment	Notes
Unique setup
	The must be an Helicopter , and should be placed in the smaller plane slot when other planes are used. Setup unique to Hyuuga Kai Ni which allows her to do an OASW with a decent base ASW, while keeping some surface combat capabilities like Artillery Spotting.

Anti-Installation

For more information on this topic, see Anti-Installation.

As a general rule:

Regarding :
- If a ship's base firepower is low, it can be viable to use Anti-Ground Rockets to provide a large flat damage increase to supplement the ship's anti-installation damage.
- Depending on whether one or more Anti-Ground Artilleries are to be equipped on a ship, it is recommended to use a WG42 for singular purposes, or Shipborne Model Type 4 20cm Anti-ground Rocket Launchers (or CD) if multiple are needed.
- ASW Mortar
  are inferior substitutes to regular Anti-Ground Artilleries when lacking those.
Regarding and :
- These provide a high damage multiplier against Installations. Some specialized variants also provide an additional flat damage increase that is multiplicative with certain modifiers.
- As Landing Craft and Special Amphibious Tanks have separate multipliers, it is recommended to use them in tandem to maximize the effect.

Nuke Setup describes any setups using anti-installation equipment from multiple categories to multiplicatively amplify damage dealt to Installations.

Such a setup has a strong anti-installation power against all installations but is hampered by the daytime damage cap.
Nuke Setups are recommended to be used when dealing with Supply Depot Princess in particular, utilizing the high post-cap side of the bonuses to deal with her generally high HP pool.
The setup's damage can be further improved by using multiple copies of those types of equipment where applicable.
- For example, equipping multiple Special Amphibious Tanks or Landing Craft with unique bonuses instead of anti-ground rockets provides better damage output for the ship, however, it is advised to only do so if you have enough available for the other ships in your fleet that require them.

All "surface" anti-installation setups can be further enhanced by using them in Special Attacks, especially Nelson's Touch.

Equipment Setup	Notes
BB/FBB/BBV
	The basic battleship setup. Because Battleships are not far away from the damage cap compared to other ship types, they do not benefit much from the high pre-cap multipliers that anti-installation equipment provides. The standard artillery spotting setup will allow them to utilize spotting attacks and AP Shell's post-cap bonuses against the installation, as well as be effective against all other targets in the enemy fleet.
	This is an option when facing soft-skinned installations. Taking an AA shell will slightly improve their damage versus installations, but will also limit the battleship's effectiveness against all other targets by reducing their artillery spotting attack types.
	Yamato-class Kai Ni & Ise-class Kai Ni only. "Best of both worlds" for 5-slot battleships.
	Nagato-class Kai Ni & Yamato Kai Ni Juu only. The landing craft/special amphibious tank will make their Special Attacks deal significantly more damage to installation enemies. Keeping the seaplane allows to still perform artillery spotting to maintain enough effectiveness against other targets.
+ or +	Nuke Setup , Yamato Kai Ni Juu only. A proper nuke setup keeping the Double Attack and artillery spotting, that uses Yamato's ability to carry Secondary Guns in her RE, also taking advantage of her Special Attack. An AP Shell may be used to replace the anti-ground rockets to improve performance against other targets, while improving the damage multiplier of Yamato's Special Attacks and Artillery Spotting types.

Equipment Setup	Notes
CV/CVB/CVL
	This is only to be used when having anti-installation dive bombers. It will allow the carrier to still perform CVCI against other targets.
	The numbers of torpedo bombers and fighters in this setup can be varied depending on the amount of fighter power required. This is the standard carrier anti-installation setup. While it does sacrifice CVCI, the carrier shelling formula, and proficiency bonuses, it still ensures that carriers will do significant damage to installations and other targets.
	CV-Nuke Setup , Gambier Bay Mk.II & Unyou Kai/Ni only. A setup combining CVCI with landing craft bonuses (anti-installation dive bomber still required).
	Nuke Setup , Houshou Kai Ni Sen, Gambier Bay Mk.II & Unyou Kai/Ni only. Sacrifices CVCI for larger "nuke" bonuses (requires anti-installation dive bomber). The 4th slot can be used to carry a ////, depending on the situation.

Equipment Setup	Notes
CA/CAV
	The standard anti-installation setup for heavy cruisers. It allows artillery spotting and deals decent damage against installations.
or +	This is an alternative setup only for aviation cruisers. It removes the ability to artillery spot for much more powerful anti-installation damage at night. For Mogami-class Cruisers with a Reinforcement Expansion, an option to equip 8cm High Angle Guns in the expansion slot in order to retain a weaker variant of artillery spotting is a viable alternative.
+	Nuke Setup , Mogami Kai Ni Toku only. The last setup uses Mogami's ability to carry 8cm High-angle Guns in her RE, making this a true nuke setup while keeping the Double Attack.

Equipment Setup	Notes
CL
	Nuke Setup
	A setup for 4-slot light cruisers. This preserves their ability to double attack at night while giving them significant anti-installation power.

CLT should not engage in anti-installation warfare.

Equipment Setup	Notes
DD
	Nuke Setup
	Mini-Nuke Setup Substitute nuke setups to use ONLY when lacking Landing Craft or Special Amphibious Tanks.
	Setups that keep the Double Attack while maintaining decent anti-installation power, allowing reasonable effectiveness against installation and other targets at night.
	Tashkent only. Functions much like the light cruiser setup with a powerful night battle double attack.
	GTR+anti-installation setup (only for high luck DD that can carry radar in RE).
	TCI+anti-installation setup (useful against Installation-like warships).

DE should not engage in anti-installation warfare.

Equipment	Notes
/	Equipping either is required for SS/V to attack installations during shelling.

Equipment Setup	Notes
AV
	Nuke Setup 4-slot AVs can also either take a 2nd anti-ground rocket, a midget sub, or a seaplane fighter in their last slot.
	Double Nuke Setup are recommended instead of to avoid "Hidden Accuracy Penalties". This setup is for 4 slots AV to utilize the "Nuke" with a "Night DA".

Equipment Setup	Notes
LHA
	Nuke Setup LHAs can carry some of the strongest 4 slots nuke configurations.
+ +	Mega-Nuke Setup , Shinshuu Maru Kai only. Uses Shinshuu Maru's unique ability to carry a Soukoutei (Armored Boat Class) in her RE to further improve the LHA setup. The other Landing Craft should be the Daihatsu Landing Craft (Type 89 Medium Tank & Landing Force) for optimum effectiveness.
	Omega-Nuke Setup , No.101 Transport Ship Kai only. Uses LST's unique ability to carry Landing Forces.
	Double Nuke Setup This setup is to utilize the "Nuke" with a "Night DA".

Other auxiliaries should not focus on the anti-installation role. However, they can still utilize anti-installation equipment, such as in TP phases.

Exhautic Setups

Other setups that are used in specific situations and/or on specific ships.

Equipment	Notes
+/	The combination of equipment greatly negates the accuracy penalty and increases the damage potential, almost guaranteeing one hit kills. It does mean that the destroyer's combat effectiveness is reduced against other targets. Therefore, it is highly recommended to use Reinforcement Expansions to fit the so that another main gun can be used to maintain double attacks. When applicable, the use of Armed armed boats can further improve the effectiveness of the setup.

Transport Operations requires to bring as much "TP points" per run to be completed:

Notes

Even so the Underway Replenishment icon is displayed on TP nodes, they do not contribute to TP gauge depletion.
The landing craft used does not matter to complete the phase, unless it involves anti-installation battles.

Equipment Setup	Notes
CAV/CL/DD/AV/LHA/AO
///	As much of those equipment must be equipped in the fleet.
/	The main setup that still keeps a DA for boss clearing.
Any "normal" setup	In some cases, it is better to keep normal combat setups (on some or all ships) in order to clear the boss or prolong as much the phase to drop some looked-after ships.

Equipment Selection

While the above set-up guide recommends only types of equipment, this section gives the general rules on how to choose equipment within a given type.

Equipment of a same type are mainly differentiated by their "Stats" (, , , ...), including Fit Bonuses (both visible and invisible) and Improvements () stats, as well as some more specific attributes, like:

Modifiers brought in certain mechanics, ranging from combat to routing,
Special mechanics induced by certain equipment...

Equipment have a wide range of stats, however, not all stats are ranked the same way, some being more important than other, depending on the equipment type.

Here, equipment stats are dispatched into 3 categories:

Primary Stats: stats that influence the effectiveness of the equipment in its main role, being the main choosing factor,
Secondary Stats: stats that can influence the effectiveness of the equipment for other purposes, helping to choose between equipment sharing the same "Primary Stats".
Bonus Stats: All the other stats. These stats do not influence the effectiveness of the equipment much, but are appreciable for the general stat stats of the equipping ship.

Equipment Stats Category
Main Armament
Icon	Equipment Types	Primary Stats	Secondary Stats	Notes
	Main Gun & Secondary Gun			for smal caliber Fit Bonus generaly are higher than base stats For Medium and Large caliber Hidden Fit Bonuses plays a major role when choosing a gun
	High-Angle Gun			Having an good AACI takes priority over stats
	AA Gun			Despite its stats the RLK2 is the best on certain ships, due to its unique mechanic. Having an good AACI takes priority over stats
	Torpedo			For Sub torps, Late model ones unlock a better Cut-in
	Midget Submarine			For Sub torps, Late model ones unlock a better Cut-in
	Anti-submarine Weaponry		Armor Penetration	Having OASW takes priority over stats When already having OASW, then ASW Synergy takes priority over stats
Aircraft
Icon	Equipment types	Primary stats	Secondary stats	Note
	Dive Bomber		AAR ❱❱	If the main purpose of the ship is ASW then naturally becomes a primary stat
	Fighter-Bomber and Jets		AAR ❱❱
	Torpedo Bomber		AAR ❱❱	If the main purpose of the ship is ASW then naturally becomes a primary stat
	Fighter		❱❱
	Carrier Recon			Equipping a Saiun will override Red T engagements and turn them into Head-on, see here
	Seaplane Recon
Bomber	Seaplane Bomber		❱❱ AAR
	Seaplane Fighter		❱❱
	ASW Aircraft
Other Equipment
Icon	Equipment types	Primary stats	Secondary stats	Note
	Surface Radar			Because of AACI priority, radar without may be choosed
	Air Radar
	Anti-Installation Equipment	Anti-installation modifiers		The best equipment can change depending on the enemy installation
	Extra Armor			The malus is negligible
	Engine Improvement			Evasion is almost always negligible, as the soft-cap is only at 40.
All Other Equipment		Are chosen on a case-by-case basis, being often bounded to some specific mechanics