Fall 2017 Event/E-4

Task Description:
敵上陸部隊が集結するレイテ湾に向けて、挟撃作戦を敢行する！第一遊撃部隊第三部隊出撃！スリガオ海峡へ向かえ！

We will launch a pincer attack towards Leyte Gulf where enemy's landing forces gather! Force C of First Strike Force, set sail! Set course for the Surigao Strait!

Introduction

 * Three Phases. The map can be considered to be divided into three distinct phases.


 * Ship-locks and Starting Points This map allows all shiptags from previous maps, but your starting points are determined by the tags on your ships.
 * Starting Point 1: Combined Fleet.
 * Starting Point 3: Single Fleets and Striking Force Fleets that consist of only Green tagged ships (from E-1, E-2).  Fleets sortied from the 1st, 2nd or 4th fleets will also start here.
 * Starting Point 2: Single Fleets and Striking Force Fleets formed in the third fleet, unless they are all green tagged (see above).
 * Untagged ships will be given a yellow (Nishimura) tag if they start at point 2.


 * Historical Ships. Be advised that this map will require a certain number of historical ships.
 * Members of the Nishimura Fleet will gain a post-cap damage bonus (approximately 1.35x) at the boss node.


 * The Boss Node of this map is hidden. You will be required to go through Two Phases of fulfilling certain requirements to reveal the hidden boss node.


 * Two Bosses. This Map requires you to defeat two different Bosses. Night Strait Princesses as the initial boss, and Entombed Anti-Air Guardian Princess as the final boss.
 * At the boss node, you will fight against the Abyssal Combined Fleet at night
 * The battle has two night shelling phases
 * The attack order is determined by range for both night shelling phases
 * Your fleet can target any ship from either Abyssal main or escort fleet during both shelling phases
 * In most cases, the battle will transition to a normal day battle afterwards against the enemy main fleet.  (However, it is possible for the battle to end after night battle.)


 * New Type of Night Battle nodes. The night battle nodes in E-4 are indicated by dark purple color.
 * Some Night Battle nodes will require you to face the enemy fleet in Night Battle at the start, but then be dragged into fighting them in Day Battle after the Night Battle Phase is over.
 * Shelling support expeditions will now attack the enemy fleet before the night battle.
 * LBAS will only attack when the night battle has transitioned to day battle.
 * NOTE: Starting from this event, the 'Vanguard Formation' is available for all fleets with 4 or more ships in the fleet. While the formation's effect is still pending investigation, this formation is known to be defensive and is highly recommended for all the non-aerial nodes all the way up until the boss. Take into account that the first 3 ships in the fleet will suffer day shelling and night firepower penalties, to fully make use of this new formation.


 * LBAS Defence. You will have access to 3 land bases, but only 2 may be used for attacking.
 * Even in Easy mode, your LBAS will be attacked by Enemy Air Raids.

The Center Force (Kurita Fleet)
The most powerful attacking force during the Battle of Leyte Gulf led by Takeo Kurita.
 * (F)BB:, , , ,
 * CA(V):, , , , , , , , ,
 * CL: ,
 * DD:, , , , , , , , ,

The Southern Force (Nishimura Fleet)
The vanguard of the "Southern Force" during the Battle of Leyte Gulf led by Shōji Nishimura. Members of the Nishimura Fleet will gain a post-cap damage bonus on the boss node.
 * BB(V): ,
 * CA(V):
 * DD:, , ,

The Second Striking Force (Shima Fleet)
The rear of the "Southern Force" during the Battle of Leyte Gulf led by Kiyohide Shima.
 * CA: ,
 * CL:
 * DD:, , ,

Phase 1: Opening the Z Nodes
NOTE: Order does not matter
 * S-Rank node U
 * Starting Point 1
 * Must be Combined Fleet
 * A certain number of Kurita Fleet Members are required to take the shortest and safer route.
 * Easy: 2 / Medium: 4 / Hard: 7
 * If you take any slow ships, you will be off-routed to node J, which contains New Submarine Princess.
 * You may only take up to 3 Battleships; otherwise, you will be off-routed to Node H from G.
 * Possible Composition:
 * Fast Surface Task Force - 3FBB CA(V) 2CVL + 1CL 2DD 3XX -
 * Must use the specified members of Kurita Fleet


 * Reach node X
 * Starting Point 3
 * This can be done by using a Single Fleet or Striking Force composed of ships with green tags only; otherwise, you will start at Starting Point 2.
 * Using any CV(L) will cause you to off-routed from V --> S


 * Obtain Air Superiority (AS) in node V and node N (Not required on EASY mode)
 * This can be easily done by sending your 2 LBAS available for Sortie full of Fighters to each respective nodes and/or bringing ships with Seaplane Fighters.
 * Node V can be reached using a fleet of E-1/E-2 Ship Lock Tagged Ships.
 * Starting Point 3
 * Using CV(L) is possible here if you only want to reach node V.
 * Node N can be reached a fleet which includes the Nishimura Fleet Members.
 * Starting Point 2
 * Easy: 2 / Medium: 4 / Hard: 6
 * Using any CV(L) will cause you to off-route from node I to K unless you meet the specified number of  Nishimura Fleet Members.
 * For Hard, having 6-Nishimura Fleet Members can allow you to bring CV(L) in the  Striking Force.


 * Obtain a Perfect No-Damage Defense from Enemy Air Raid Attack on your LBAS  (HARD only)
 * This may be done by putting only Fighters and/or Interceptors on your LBAS and set to Air Defense mode.
 * Recommended Composition:
 * Sortie with 1 Submarine with Yellow tag (Nishimura Tag)
 * Starting Point 2
 * , which allows you to travel through 5 nodes without taking any damages while waiting for the Air Raid to happen. Air Raid can happen at any node so you just have to wait, but it usually appears in one of that 5 node.
 * NOTE: You MUST sortie the sub from 3rd fleet. Surprisingly, sortie from 1st fleet will result in the sub starting from the north.
 * For hard mode, doing this and the next requirement for the second route unlock back-to-back will reduce the number of times reequipping land bases is required.


 * Obtain A or S-Rank in node Y
 * Starting Point 3
 * Possible Composition: 6-7 SS with GREEN TAG
 * Possible Composition: Striking Force composed of ships with green tags only
 * (F)BB(V) ≦ 2, DD ≧ 2, CV(L/B) = 0
 * (F)BB(V) ≦ 2, DD ≧ 2, CV(L/B) = 0

Phase 2: Opening the ZZ Nodes

 * Obtain Air Superiority (AS) in node Z2
 * Both nodes have Enemy carriers with very high Air Power. You are recommended to bring CVLs equipped with your best Fighters, CAVs equipped with.
 * It is recommended to send your LBAS to each node loaded with Fighters so that you may shred down the Enemy Air Power so that you will gain Air Superiority easily.


 * Obtain A-Rank or higher in node Z4.
 * This can be done easily while on-route towards Z6.


 * Obtain S-Rank in node Z6
 * The path to this node is very difficult. Use of Support Expedition and LBAS focused to this node is highly recommended.
 * You may also divide your LBAS to help you in both node U and Z6 respectively.
 * Possible Composition:
 * Fast Surface Task Force - 3FBB CA(V) 2CVL + 1CL 2DD 3XX
 * Must use the specified members of Kurita Fleet
 * Fast Surface Task Force - 4FBB CA(V) CV(B) + 1CL 2DD 3XX
 * If you are having trouble with your CVLs survivability using a single CV(B) will allow to bring an additional FBB for the fleet. Roma Kai and Italia with a Seaplane Fighter each are a good choice here in addition to 2 fast Kurita fleet BBs. However it will become harder to obtain AS at nodes Z1 and Z2 on the way to Z6.
 * Must use the specified members of Kurita Fleet
 * Must use the specified members of Kurita Fleet


 * Obtain A-Rank or higher in node Z8
 * You may use your E-1/E-2 Green Tagged Fleet to go into Z8 from the North in Point#3.
 * Possible Composition:
 * Striking Force - 2CA 2CL 3DD
 * Striking Force - 2 BBV 1 CAV 3 DD 1 SS
 * Must use Striking Force composed of ships with green tags only
 * Using any CV(L) will cause you to off-routed from V --> S
 * Using any CV(L) will cause you to off-routed from V --> S


 * S-Rank node Z9
 * You may only enter through Z9 if you have started from point 2. You may not enter if the fleet contains a carrier.
 * While Nishimura fleet members are not necessary, they will make it easier as you will not go I --> K at the start if you fail to meet the other requirements.
 * Possible Composition:
 * Striking Force - 2BB(V) 1CA(V) 4DD


 * Obtain Perfect LBAS Defense against Enemy Air Raid. (MEDIUM & HARD MODE)
 * Place all your LBAS into Air Defense Mode with your best Interceptors and Fighters.
 * For hard mode, doing this and the previous requirement for the first route unlock back-to-back will reduce the number of times reequipping land bases is required.
 * Refer to the previous requirement for the first route unlock for the Recommended Composition.

Route

 * After opening up the ZZ nodes, the boss becomes accessible. There are no additional gimmicks known, so all that remains is to deplete the boss gauges.
 * Use of the new 6th fleet formation, the 'Vanguard Formation', is highly recommended to use in all Pre-Boss Nodes, excluding nodes M, N and V which are air raid nodes.
 * For Nodes X and S, it's up to the admirals' preferences of whether to choose Line Ahead or go with the Vanguard Formation.
 * Regardless of route, branching requirements limit fleets to 2 (F)BB(V), 1 CA(V), 0 CV(L) and require 2+ DD for shortest routing to the boss.
 * Nishimura route
 * Starts at the southern start point (2)
 * Nishimura Fleet Historical Members will be required, requirement being 2 (Easy) / 4 (Medium) / 6 (Hard) ships for each respective difficulties.
 * 4 DD with a maximum of 2 BB(V) are required to route from S to W.
 * There is a LoS check at Y, failing it will result in Z7-Z8 routing instead of the shorter Z9. The requirement fairly high. Retreating ships before the branch at Y can often lead to off-routing.
 * Bringing more Nishimura Fleet members seems to lower the requirement(?)
 * Ships taking this route arrive at the boss node with around 33% fuel, 45% ammo remaining.
 * Using any CV(L) in the Fleet will cause off-routing from I to K, unless the Nishimura historical requirement is met. However, the branching rules on latter nodes makes the use of a carrier unpractical.
 * Using a high armor SSV (i.e. I-14, I-13, I-401, I-400) can help reduce losses from enemy destroyers and PT Imp Packs. To maintain shortest routing, 4 DD 2 BBV 1 SSV is a common composition.
 * Shima route
 * Starts at the northern start point (3) & requires all 7 ships to have the green Shima Fleet tag from E-1 & E-2.
 * Fights more battles than Nishimura route, but the LoS requirements are non-existent and the fleet composition does not require any Nishimura Fleet members. However, Nishimura fleet members are still useful due to their bonus post-cap damage modifiers.
 * Ships taking this route arrive at the boss node with around 30% fuel, 40% ammo remaining.
 * Using a high armor SSV (i.e. I-14, I-13, I-401, I-400) can help reduce losses from enemy destroyers and PT Imp Packs.
 * Super-heavy Shima route/Submarine Shima route
 * 6 (F)BB(V) 1 SSV or 7 SS(V)
 * Starts at the northern start point (3) & requires all 7 ships to have the green Shima Fleet tag from E-1 & E-2.
 * These fleets take a longer route to the boss, but have significant advantages over the shorter routes.
 * 7 submarines are fairly cost effective for chipping the boss gauge, but will have an incredibly difficult time killing the boss completely.
 * However, because submarines cannot equip the Striking Force Fleet Command Facility, pre-boss taiha is a concern.
 * In non-PT nodes, Line Ahead formation is an option due to higher shelling support damage and higher damage from the first 3 submarines, but sacrifices the evasion from the Vanguard formation.
 * SSVs I-14, I-13, I-401, I-400 are recommended due to their higher fuel capacity, which allows them to keep higher fuel levels than their 10 fuel SS/SSV counterparts on the way to the boss. (29% fuel at boss compared to 0%). Putting them in the 4th-7th slots will allow them to tank more enemy fire.
 * Ships taking this route arrive at the boss with around 38% ammo remaining.
 * In non-PT nodes, Line Ahead formation is an option due to higher shelling support damage and higher damage from the first 3 submarines, but sacrifices the evasion from the Vanguard formation.
 * SSVs I-14, I-13, I-401, I-400 are recommended due to their higher fuel capacity, which allows them to keep higher fuel levels than their 10 fuel SS/SSV counterparts on the way to the boss. (29% fuel at boss compared to 0%). Putting them in the 4th-7th slots will allow them to tank more enemy fire.
 * Ships taking this route arrive at the boss with around 38% ammo remaining.

Special Notes on Choice of Equipment

 * At least 1-2 are practically mandatory if you wish to obtain Air Superiority (AS) at Boss Node easily while using less to no Fighters on your LBAS.
 * If you lack or outright do not have any Seaplane Fighters in your possession, you will be required to bring multiple on your Fusou/Yamashiro/Mogami and/or any CAV in the fleet instead, and have your LBAS equipped with Fighters equipped sent to the Boss node to decrease the Night Strait Princesses' Air Power to a value where you will be able to obtain Air Superiority (AS - 航空優勢 ) through Seaplane Bombers alone. Please note that this is hard to achieve if you do not have access to strong fighters or interceptors.
 * Please note that using when against the Night Strait Princesses is fine in the prior phases, when you enter the Final Phase of facing against the Entombed Anti-Air Guardian Princess, use of Seaplane Bombers on,  makes it very likely that her Anti-Air will eradicate your bombers down to 0 with ease (It will still result in Air Superiority - 航空優勢 , but if they have 0 Seaplanes remaining, they will not be able to utilize Artillery Spotting at all).
 * You are solely recommended to equip CAV with Seaplane Fighters and not use Seaplane Bombers to gain Air Superiority against the Entombed Anti-Air Guardian Princess.
 * Use of on your CA(V)s may help them hit  more.
 * As your Battleships are your main Boss Killers during when the Day Battle hits after the Night Battle Phase, you are to make sure you have:
 * Artillery Spotting enabled for them via obtaining minimum Air Superiority (AS - 航空優勢 ) at the Boss node
 * Have them able to utilize Cut-In or do a Double Attack while having it Equipped.
 * All Destroyers are recommended to have 2 Main Guns or  minimum, and [[File:Ssp c.png]] or Radars as the third Equipment.
 * All Enemy Boss Escorts in the Boss Node will die easily from a Destroyer's Double Attack during Night Battle, and therefore do not need to use a Torpedo Cut-In Setup on any of your Ships.
 * Due to the sheer number of the Enemy Boss Fleet, the chance that the Boss will actually be hit by any of your ships during Night Battle is actually quite low.
 * Please note are weak against the following:
 * Small-Caliber Main Guns
 * Secondary Guns
 * Anti-Air Guns
 * [[File:Ssp c.png]]
 * Use of during your Pre-Final (HP Chipping) Runs against the Boss is recommended.
 * However, keep in mind that if it is used before Node S, you may be forced to off-route to node R during the run if you no longer meet the required number of Destroyers in your fleet.
 * Also note that if used it in node Y or before it, it may result in failure to meet the required Fleet eLoS value which will cause you to off-route to Z7.
 * Use of Night Battle Equipment are recommended to decrease the chance of enemy ships using Cut-In Attacks against your ships in the Night Battle nodes.
 * is optional and may not be preferred to use as a ship's chance of being targetted more during Night Battle will increase.
 * is recommended to be brought at least.
 * is recommended to be brought if available.

Recommendations
General Tips =

General

 * You are recommended to use the 'Vanguard Formation' in the Pre-Boss nodes.
 * You are recommended to send both your Land Base Aerial Support in Sortie-Mode against the Boss Node.
 * The Range from the LBAS to the Boss node is only 2 Range. Therefore practically any kinds of Aircrafts you use will be able to reach the Boss node without issue.
 * If you have at least 2 or more in your Fleet, you can choose to use a setup of:
 * 3-4 Land-based Attack Aircrafts + 0-1 Fighter & 4 Land-based Attack Aircrafts.
 * If you are lacking in Seaplane Fighters, you may try to do a setup of the following:
 * 2 Land-based Attack Aircrafts + 2 Fighters & 2 Land-based Attack Aircrafts + 2 Fighter.
 * 1 Land-based Attack Aircrafts + 3 Fighters & 2 Land-based Attack Aircrafts + 2 Fighter.
 * If you are lacking in Land-based Attack Aircrafts, please use your best Torpedo Bombers together with some Fighters.
 * Please note is craftable via Development
 * 240 Fuel.png / 260 Ammunition.png / 10 Steel.png / 261 Bauxite.png (Flagship - Aircraft Carrier)
 * Cut-in type Attacks for Night Battle are not required as all Boss Escorts will die to a ship's Double Attack easily. You are recommended to setup all your Ships to use Double Attack during Night Battles.
 * You may choose to bring a ship with a Night Battle Cut-In setup if you are trying to take the small chance of her being able to attack the Boss, but the chance of it happening is extremely low, and therefore not recommended.
 * Bringing a Submarine as a wildcard can help you very much as she can force and tank all of Enemy Destroyers and 's attacks and disable them from attacking your ships.
 * Please beware the enemies in node S can be fatal towards your Submarine, and there is a chance that Enemy Destroyers equipped with ASW Equipment or in Line Abreast or Echelon can damage your Submarine. Use of the Vanguard Formation in the nodes and Sparkling may help decrease the chance of such damages happening before you reach the Boss node.
 * Please note that your and  (or any other Battleship you bring as their replacement if you are doing Easy/Medium mode) are the key players in defeating the Boss. Therefore it is important they are in Light or Medium Damage minimum by the time your fleet reaches the Day Battle. If both Battleships are in Heavy Damage by the start of the Day Battle, unfortunately your chance of defeating the Boss in that Battle will be very small.

Night Strait Princesses

 * Night Strait Princesses has a Abyssal Patrolling Attack Hawk Kai equipped and requires you to have a certain amount of Air Power so that you can gain Air Superiority against her, in order for Artillery Spotting to be enabled on your Battleships.
 * Use of and Land Base Aerial Support will help you gain Air Superiority easily against her.
 * If you have 0 Seaplane Fighters, you will be required to have several prepared on your CAVs and BBVs, and have more Fighters on your Land Base Aerial Support (Around 2 Fighters per LBAS).
 * Bringing a Submarine can make the Night Strait Princess be forced to attack the Submarine, although the Boss will have to have a Bomber remaining in her slot after the Land Base Aerial Support Phase and Aerial Combat Phase in order for this to happen.
 * Due to LBAS and Aerial Combat, and Fleet Anti-Air usually shooting down all of the Boss' Bombers, it will be actually quite rare for this to happen.
 * Please note that the required Air Power will slightly increase in the Final Battle.
 * Please beware that for Medium/Hard mode, Entombed Anti-Air Guardian Princess will come out in the Final Battle as an Escort Ship in the Enemy 2nd Fleet, where she will potentially tank all of your ships' attacks, hindering them from attacking the other major Boss escort ships.

Entombed Anti-Air Guardian Princess

 * Please note that once you enter the final phase of facing the Entombed Anti-Air Guardian Princess as the Boss, the Enemy Boss Fleet will have 0 Air Power, making it extremely easy to obtain Air Superiority against her even with a single Seaplane Fighter.
 * Please beware however that due to the immense Anti-Air stat of the Boss, bringing any on your Ship(s) will cause it to be completely destroyed off their Aircraft slot down 0, disabling the owner of the aircraft from using any form of Artillery Spotting attacks (Double Attack, AP Cut-in, etc).
 * You will still gain Air Superiority for your fleet, enabling other ships to still utilize Artillery Spotting attacks (as long as they were equipped with regular ).
 * Despite being based on the Destroyer, this Boss is classified as a BBV and does not have any Aircraft. Therefore, a Submarine will be unable to force this Boss to attack her.
 * This Boss will only have one type of Fleet all the way to the Final Battle, and has lesser stats compared to the previous Night Strait Princesses, where you may actually have an easier time with this Boss.


 * -|Easy Mode (丙) =

Easy Mode (丙)

 * Possible Fleet Compositions (Please Note XX = Ship of Choice, though restrictions will apply):
 * ,, 2 DD 3 XX(No BB/CV(L))
 * ,, 2 FBB 1 DD 2 XX(No BB/CV(L))
 * 2 FBB 3 XX(No BB/CV(L)) and 2 Nishimura Fleet Destroyers (,, , or )
 * Easy Mode only requires 2 Nishimura Fleet Historical Members to be in the Fleet.
 * You may still choose to bring more than 2 if preferred.
 * You must have at least minimum 2 Destroyers in the Fleet at least up node Z9 (After reaching that node, if a retreat via is required for any of your Destroyers, then you may do so).
 * The eLoS(F33) Value required for going Y -> Z9 is approximately above 18.0+ for Easy mode. (Exact value currently unknown)


 * -|Medium Mode (乙) =

Medium Mode (乙)

 * Possible Fleet Compositions (Please Note XX = Ship of Choice, though restrictions will apply):
 * ,, , , 2 DD 1 XX(No BB/CV(L))
 * ,, 2 Nishimura Fleet Destroyers (, , , or ), and 3 XX(No BB/CV(L))
 * It is possible for you to use only 2 Destroyers in the fleet if they are Nishimura Fleet Destroyers. Otherwise you will require 3 Destroyers generally for this difficulty.
 * Medium Mode requires 4 Nishimura Fleet Historical Members to be in the Fleet.
 * You may still choose to bring more than 4 if preferred.
 * The eLoS(F33) Value required for going Y -> Z9 is approximately above 21.0+ for Medium mode. (Exact value currently unknown)


 * -|Hard Mode (甲) =

Hard Mode (甲)

 * Hard Mode requires 6 Nishimura Fleet Historical Members to be in the Fleet.
 * Hard Mode requires your fleet to have 4 Destroyers present in the fleet.
 * Possible Fleet Compositions:
 * ,, , , , + 1 CA(V)/CL(T)/SS(V)
 * ,, , 3 Nishimura Fleet Destroyers + 1 Destroyer of your Choice
 * The eLoS(F33) Value required for going Y -> Z9 is approximately above 24.0+ for Hard mode. (Exact value currently unknown)