Talk:Shoukaku/@comment-26334968-20160413160106/@comment-24980562-20160414211841

I have both of them as K2A because plane slot size, the only significant advantage the K2 versions have, doesn't really matter that much anymore now that we've got Aircraft Proficiency.

I've seen lots of comments saying that the bigger slots are better for Air Superiority/Supremacy, but if you want fighter power you're better off using Kaga/Akagi/Hiryuu/Souryuu. Just look at the Crane Sisters' stats & resource consumption. You're not supposed to use them for fighter power, you use them to wreck shit wherever you go. Their K2A versions boost their already ridiculous attack power even more, and give them better armour, not to mention the ability to attack while 中破. Oh yeah, in Parallel engagement both of them also exceed the day battle damage cap while naked i.e. without any planes. Give them one decent bomber and they reach the cap even in Head-On engagment. So yes, they'll always deal full damage unless when damaged, but even then it's ridiculous, especially when you factor critical hits into the equation, which hit even harder and more frequently thanks to plane ranks.

If you want to see how ridiculous armoured carriers can be, look no further than this:



I'm not even using battleships anymore because these carriers deal the same damage at least, and I get an opening airstrike that - in the case of 4-5 - can sink Ru Kai right away. And don't get me started on the damage they can deal to the boss, an installation. I've had boss runs that ended in day battle because my carriers crit'd the boss to death. Not my cruisers with Sanshiki. My carriers with their planes.

tl;dr

K2 versions' advantage is slot size, but nowadays that hardly matters thanks to Aircraft Proficiency. If you want fighter power, go use the 1st/2nd CarDiv. K2A versions destroy everything and can take a beating. Their first two slots are big enough to survive Tsu onslaughts, which is the only ship that can shoot down a significant amount of planes.

This is the correct way to utilise the Crane Sisters. Now you don't have to take shit from anyone. Go out there, and wreck those enemy ships with your superior carriers. You cheeky skrublord.