Changes

[[file:NewGuide_CA_Designations.png |thumb|right|When a specific ship subtype, such as a CA or CAV is being referred to, the designation is given '''sans''' brackets i.e. CA or CAV respectively; when either a CA or a CAV is allowed, a fleet composition will have the designation CA(V)]]

[[file:NewGuide_CA_Designations.png |thumb|right|When a specific ship subtype, such as a CA or CAV is being referred to, the designation is given '''sans''' brackets i.e. CA or CAV respectively; when either a CA or a CAV is allowed, a fleet composition will have the designation CA(V)]]

It is easy for new players to neglect levelling their Heavy Cruisers ('''CAs''') and CAVs ('''CAVs'''), especially once they have acquired more powerful ship classes such as the Battleships. However, CA(V)s occupy an important niche between the lighter ship classes (DDs and CLs), and the aforementioned heavier ships:

It is common for new players to neglect levelling Heavy ('''CAs''') and Aviation ('''CAVs''') Cruisers, once they have acquired more powerful classes, such as the battleships. However, CA(V)s play an important role between the light (DD/CLs) and heavy ships.

#They can sometimes be used in place of Battleships in (Combined) Fleets, when not as much firepower is necessary to clear a map, especially when shiplocking and branching rules require careful planning in terms of which ships are deployed to which maps

#They can often be used in place of Battleships in (Combined) Fleets, especially to achieve favorable map branching

#As with Battleships, they can equip Type 3 Shells for better effectiveness against '''Installations'''

#CA(V)s begin with three slots (enough for Artillery Spotting), and with four slots after their first remodel (Level '''25''' in most cases), they have more freedom to equip utility or LoS equipment, as opposed to CLs or DDs, which usually require a combat loadout across all 3 slots

 

#Most CAVs begin as Heavy Cruisers, and remodel into their new sub-class

# As with Battleships, they can equip Type 3 Shells for better effectiveness against installations

#CAVs in particular can also equip many things that CAs cannot

# CA(V)s begin with three slots (enough for Artillery Spotting), and with four slots after their first remodel (Level 25 in most cases), they have more freedom to equip utility or LoS equipment, as opposed to CLs or DDs, which usually require a combat loadout across all 3 slots

## '''WG42 rockets''' are effective against '''hardened''' installations (which Type 3 Shells are '''ineffective''' against), but this piece of equipment is difficult to come by early on in the game

 

## They also are capable of deploying seaplane bombers and fighters, further supplementing your Fighter Power; in some situations, they may be your only source of Fighter Power in the fleet

# All CAVs begin as Heavy Cruisers, and remodel into their new sub-class

#CAVs can equip '''drum canisters''' as well, which are sometimes important for routing and transport maps

# CAVs in particular can also equip many things that CAs cannot, such as:

#Nevertheless, CA(V)s also have their weaknesses; most significantly, their combined HP and Armour makes them particularly vulnerable to being reduced to Taiha / Red Health from damage taken from heavier enemies, or even from critical hits from less heavyweight opponents

## WG42 rockets, which are effective against hard installations (which Type 3 Shells are ineffective against), but this piece of equipment is difficult to come by early on in the game

## Seaplane bombers and fighters, which can be used to supplement your Fighter Power, if act as your only source of Fighter Power in the fleet

## Drum canisters, which are sometimes important for routing and in transport maps

# Nevertheless, CA(V)s also have their weaknesses; most significantly, their combined HP and Armour makes them particularly vulnerable to being reduced to Taiha / Red Health from damage taken from heavier enemies, or even from critical hits from less heavyweight opponents

Essentially, while CA(V)s may be the most versatile ships out of all the ship classes, they are also particularly vulnerable to damage from enemy ships, due to the way in which combat damage is calculated, along with the "Overkill Mechanic". In spite of that, CA(V)s will still play an important part in your fleet, and neglecting them will only make your life more difficult later on.

Essentially, while CA(V)s may be the most versatile ships out of all the ship classes, they are also particularly vulnerable to damage from enemy ships, due to the way in which combat damage is calculated, along with the "Overkill Mechanic". In spite of that, CA(V)s will still play an important part in your fleet, and neglecting them will only make your life more difficult later on.