Changes

If the enemy has many light carriers, light cruisers, or destroyers, consider using a sub. As in sorties, anything that can target the sub, will, so you can effectively divert a significant portion of the enemy's firepower to the sub. Light cruisers and destroyers will continue to target the sub (if it is still alive) in night combat, so use this to your advantage.

If the enemy has many light carriers, light cruisers, or destroyers, consider using a sub. As in sorties, anything that can target the sub, will, so you can effectively divert a significant portion of the enemy's firepower to the sub. Light cruisers and destroyers will continue to target the sub (if it is still alive) in night combat, so use this to your advantage.

===Facing Submarines===

===Facing Submarines===

Since the November 27th update, the PvP screen now allows formation selection. For only submarines, the line abreast formation is recommended. As the enemy fleet's formation is based on the composition of said fleet, a fleet of four subs will always be in echelon formation. This is advantageous for you, as the accuracy of their pre-emptive torpedoes will generally suck because of this.

When facing a fleet entirely made of submarines, the line abreast formation is recommended. As the enemy fleet's formation is based on the composition of said fleet, a fleet of four subs will always be in echelon formation. This is advantageous for you, as the accuracy of their pre-emptive torpedoes will generally suck because of this.

If the enemy fleet has a sub supported by a real fleet (battleships, carriers, etc), consider running Kitakami and Ooi. Their pre-emptive torpedo attack will prioritize enemy ships over the sub, and they have reasonably high ASW. Adding another good ASW ship such as Isuzu Kai 2 is not a bad idea as well. If the enemy fleet has two subs, this strategy still applies, but you may need some luck to get an S rank.

Using high ASW ships is helpful, but not strictly necessary. You will still deal good damage due to the line abreast formation. Stacking ASW equipment on your ships is highly recommended. Add in any battleship to enable the second round of attacks. Finally, take a light carrier (or a carrier if you feel you don't need the extra attack) equipped with a Saiun recon plane. The Saiun will ensure that the ''Crossing the T (Disadvantageous)'' formation is avoided, which is very important, as this particular formation significantly hinders your ability to kill subs.

Fleets composed of 2-4 subs are not uncommon in PvP after the Fall 2013 event. To combat these fleets, use the ships with the highest ASW in your fleet. Stacking ASW equipment on these ships is highly recommended. Add in any battleship to enable the second round of attacks. Finally, take a light carrier equipped with a Saiun recon plane. The Saiun will ensure that the ''Crossing the T (Disadvantageous)'' formation is avoided, which is very important, as this particular formation significantly hinders your ability to kill subs.

If the enemy fleet has a sub supported by a real fleet (battleships, carriers, etc), the battle becomes more difficult. Consider running Kitakami and Ooi with minisubs and ASW equipment. Their pre-emptive torpedo attack will prioritize enemy ships over the sub, and they have reasonably high ASW. When using the torpedo cruisers, you should use line ahead formation in order to maximize their accuracy, as this strategy hinges on sinking or critically damaging one or two of the enemy's ships to win the surface battle. Field one or more battleships to cement your surface superiority, and possibly a carrier (light carriers will target the sub and deal ''very ''little damage due to the formation) equipped with a Saiun. Adding another good ASW ship such as Isuzu Kai 2 is a good idea too. The main problem of this enemy fleet composition tends to be killing the sub, not killing the surface ships.

 

As always, there is still some RNG involved with this strategy. If the enemy manages to inflict enough damage to your ASW ships, your chances of killing the sub are slim. Even then, you will probably still come out with an A or B rank.