Changes

*On the final form, her escort ships also become tougher (Elite/Flagship Transports and Elite CA Ne-class replaces the DD I/Ha-class Late Model). It is recommended to equip 1 to 2 BBs with AP Shell to clear out the escort ships during daytime to allow focused fire at night.

*On the final form, her escort ships also become tougher (Elite/Flagship Transports and Elite CA Ne-class replaces the DD I/Ha-class Late Model). It is recommended to equip 1 to 2 BBs with AP Shell to clear out the escort ships during daytime to allow focused fire at night.

Example fleet setups:

====Example fleet setups:====

:*2BB(V), 3CA(V), 1CV (B -> C -> F -> J -> M)

:*2BB(V), 3CA(V), 1CV (B → C → F → J → M)

::*Pros: Shouldn't lose at node F, which saves some morale loss. Maximizes the number of ships that can use Type 3 Shell while still making the required AS for artillery spotting. Also avoids the harder H node (which has 1~2 guaranteed Battleship Ru-class Kai Flagship). Does not see Ru-class Kai until boss.

::*Pros: Shouldn't lose at node F, which saves some morale loss. Maximizes the number of ships that can use Type 3 Shell while still making the required AS for artillery spotting. Also avoids the harder H node (which has 1~2 guaranteed Battleship Ru-class Kai Flagship). Does not see Ru-class Kai until boss.

::*Cons: Ships have lower HP and armor, so easier to accumulate damage along the way, reducing damage dealt at the boss node. Node C and J have Tsu-class (sometimes Elite), so the AS value may vary, and may even result in loss of artillery spotting attacks if all seaplane bombers are shot down.

::*Cons: Ships have lower HP and armor, so easier to accumulate damage along the way, reducing damage dealt at the boss node. Node C and J have Tsu-class (sometimes Elite), so the AS value may vary, and may even result in loss of artillery spotting attacks if all seaplane bombers are shot down.

:*3BB(V), 3CV(L) (B -> C -> F -> H -> M)

:*3BB(V), 3CV(L) (B → C → F → H → M)

::*Pros: With any BBV or CVL, reduces the chance of losing at node F (with appropriate equipment). Provides more firepower, opening air strikes, and better gauge of AS along the way.

::*Pros: With any BBV or CVL, reduces the chance of losing at node F (with appropriate equipment). Provides more firepower, opening air strikes, and better gauge of AS along the way.

::*Cons: CVL is the weakest link in the fleet and may result in more retreats. Fewer ships capable of acting at night. More carriers implying potential loss of attacks if HP is reduced sufficiently.

::*Cons: CVL is the weakest link in the fleet and may result in more retreats. Fewer ships capable of acting at night. More carriers implying potential loss of attacks if HP is reduced sufficiently.

:*4BB(V), 2CV (Either B -> C -> F -> H -> M '''or''' B -> E -> H -> M)

:*4BB(V), 2CV (Either B → C → F → H → M '''or''' B → E → H → M)

::*Pros (E branch): Fewer battles equals more damage output at boss. Can use the big guns. Does not need to worry about defeats at node F.

::*Pros (E branch): Fewer battles equals more damage output at boss. Can use the big guns. Does not need to worry about defeats at node F.

::*Cons (E branch): Insufficient equipment slots for night battle gear results in risky night battle (enemy has 3~4 ships with cut-in attack and 1 ship with double attack).

::*Cons (E branch): Insufficient equipment slots for night battle gear results in risky night battle (enemy has 3~4 ships with cut-in attack and 1 ship with double attack).

::*Pros (C branch): Even more firepower and armor to reach the boss easier (compared to 3BB(V) + 3CV(L)).

::*Pros (C branch): Even more firepower and armor to reach the boss easier (compared to 3BB(V) + 3CV(L)).

::*Cons (C branch): More resources used, especially when using [[Yamato]] and/or [[Musashi]]. Will take defeats at F node without a BBV.

::*Cons (C branch): More resources used, especially when using [[Yamato]] and/or [[Musashi]]. Will take defeats at F node without a BBV.

:*2BB, 3CLT, 1CV (B -> C -> F -> J -> M)

:*2BB, 3CLT, 1CV (B → C → F → J → M)

::*''Could potentially go B -> E -> H -> M with this setup but would be difficult to gain AS at H or boss.''

::*''Could potentially go B → E → H → M with this setup but would be difficult to gain AS at H or boss.''

::*Pros: Saves bauxite. Can clear out escort ships to allow the BBs to target the boss easier. Less fuel cost.

::*Pros: Saves bauxite. Can clear out escort ships to allow the BBs to target the boss easier. Less fuel cost.

::*Cons: Even less HP and armor, which can result in more retreats. Can't finish the boss off if the BBs take too much damage torpedo value not counting when attacking boss.

::*Cons: Even less HP and armor, which can result in more retreats. Can't finish the boss off if the BBs take too much damage torpedo value not counting when attacking boss.

:*4BB(V), 1CV, 1SS (B -> E -> H -> M)

:*4BB(V), 1CV, 1SS (B → E → H → M)

::*Pros: Damage not reduced due to only three battles total. Uses the SS as decoy at boss to mitigate damage to the larger ships, which is useful for the final kill attempt(s) as enemy air power is reduced but shelling becomes more deadly.

::*Pros: Damage not reduced due to only three battles total. Uses the SS as decoy at boss to mitigate damage to the larger ships, which is useful for the final kill attempt(s) as enemy air power is reduced but shelling becomes more deadly.

::*Cons: Have to go through night battle node. The SS most likely will take a beating at node H (and some at node E) to possibly require [[Repair Team]]s being equipped.

::*Cons: Have to go through night battle node. The SS most likely will take a beating at node H (and some at node E) to possibly require [[Repair Team]]s being equipped.

:::*Do note that on the final form of the boss, no enemies are capable of attacking submarines, as such, it's possible to advance past node H with a critically-damaged submarine. '''This is only the case on the final form of the boss, do NOT advance past H with an SS at red prior to that.'''

:::*Do note that on the final form of the boss, no enemies are capable of attacking submarines, as such, it's possible to advance past node H with a critically-damaged submarine. '''This is only the case on the final form of the boss, do NOT advance past H with an SS at red prior to that.'''

:*1BB, 1CVL, 1CL, 2DD + 1(CLT or BB or Fusou-class Kai Ni) ('''For Z1 farming''', A -> D -> G -> I)

:*1BB, 1CVL, 1CL, 2DD + 1(CLT or BB or Fusou-class Kai Ni) ('''For Z1 farming''', A → D → G → I)

::*Requires 1CL+2DD and another ship from SSV/CLp/AV/CVL/CAV/CA/CL/DD to go through node A, which is the requirement to reach node I.

::*Requires 1CL+2DD and another ship from SSV/CLp/AV/CVL/CAV/CA/CL/DD to go through node A, which is the requirement to reach node I.

::*It's alright for BBVs and CAVs to bring seaplane bombers along this route, although there is a Tsu-class Elite, it's on the night node at node E (which has no air battle)

::*It's alright for BBVs and CAVs to bring seaplane bombers along this route, although there is a Tsu-class Elite, it's on the night node at node E (which has no air battle)