Board Thread:Event Community Discussion/@comment-28069733-20170514083426/@comment-32000657-20170514113847

Ar-cen-ciel wrote: IMide wrote: I can easily agree with you that a destroyer variant without a torp is a no go for the IJN. The point of contention is whether the DE is one to begin with. The DEs are destroyers, unless if you go by the definition of fleet destroyers. DEs as a whole are basically purpose-built, scaled-down destroyers optimized for convoy escort and protection. Kaibokans are small, multipurpose ship that could be improvised into that role, but they would be about as effective as Evart-class at best, or worse since IJN have poor implementations for convoy escort. When the succeeding four DE classes are fitted with torpedoes, you should've known that the Evart-class are not entirely adequate for the role. Maybe I have. But I still disagree.

I must wonder though why the Evarts-class weren't simply outfitted with torpedoes later on.

Hyper Shinchan wrote: IMide wrote: Indeed, Hunt-class are DDEs. Just because the converted Fletcher-class were faster doesn't make them any less of a DDE. No idea what Tanaka will make Matsu-class, but I have serious doubts he'll make them DEs. If you're using speed as discriminant factor the Fletcher being faster should matter, a destroyer incapable to make better than 30 knots can't be used for fleet work, it won't have anywhere enough margin to quickly rejoin the fleet if detached to hunt down a submarine or rescue people or whatever else. But not only were Hunt-class actual escort destroyers, the Matsu-class were also no slower than them. Speed would indeed have been a factor if the Hunt-class didn't exist, but they did.