User blog:Faeriedust/Advanced 1-5 DD/CL Kira Kira Guide (HQ 80+)

As requested, I am composing this 1-5 sparkling guide. The instructions here are intended as guidelines only, based on how I play. The ideal technique for you may very depending on available ships/equips, playstyle etc.

The Comp

 * DD/CL flagship1-5_SparklingFleet_496.png
 * Should be kai with fully modernized armor, ideally level 40+ for best chance at MVP.
 * Equip your best ASW. Strongly reccommend to use 2 Type 3 Sonar, and 1 Type 3 Depth Charge. Upgrade these with Akashi for best result.
 * DD
 * Should be kai with fully modernized armor
 * Ideally level 20-25 range, for low repair timer and nonurgency of repair
 * Ideally full health, for best chance at survival and damage to prevent closing torp.
 * Equip with enough ASW to kill the enemy subs, but weaker than the flagship's to not steal MVP regularly (occasional miss unavoidable)
 * I usually use 2 Type 93 Passive SONAR and 1 Type 3 Depth Charge, and it works well with flag at lvl 40+. Type 94 Depth Charge may work better for you, if you are losing MVP regularly.
 * BBV
 * Fully modernized armor
 * Ideally your lowest level BBV for low repair timer and nonurgency of repair.
 * Ideally chuuha since damage output doesn't matter here.
 * Equip with as many large bulges as possible. Put your best asw planes in any remaining slots.
 * CVL
 * You can use scrap CVL (be prepared to lose it), in which case keep default equips.
 * If you're using nonscrap CVL, make sure armor is fully modernized and fill all slots with Anti-torpedo Bulge (Medium).
 * Ideally chuuha since damage output doesn't matter here.
 * If you are trying to CLEAR 1-5, consider equipping 1-2 asw planes on CVL (enough to kill weaker sub), rest can still be bulges.
 * Saiun sucks. With decent asw equips, you can kill most subs even in Red T. So it just makes YOU take more damage. Just bring a bulge, so you take less damage.

The Technique
Formation selection is pretty important.
 * Node A
 * Line Ahead formation -- IMPORTANT to reduce damage output against the single sub, so that your flag will get a chance to hit the sub.
 * Node B
 * Double line formation -- Again to reduce damage to the subs so that your flag has better chance to get one or both of her attacks in. Especially important if you put a plane on your CVL. (Why would you do this?)
 * Node C
 * Line abreast
 * Node I
 * Line abreast

Why I sparkle on 1-5
I see a lot of people that think I'm crazy here, suggesting 1-5 over 1-1. So here's a comparison.

Advantages

 * Can do many daily/weekly quests on 1-5 that you can't do on 1-1 (Bd8,Bw5,Bw10, Bm6)
 * Significantly faster than 1-1 (3 1-1 runs is generally 7.5 min for me, 1-5 run is generally 5 min)
 * More ship exp (~2k exp a run on 1-5)
 * More ranking points
 * Save scrap ships (if you use scrap ships on 1-1)
 * Can lose MVP easier on 1-1 (if you use escort)
 * Generally take less scratch damage on flag (if you don't use scrap ships on 1-1)

Disadvantages

 * Significantly more resource consumption (can't use scrap DD/BBV). This can be reduced by using scrap CVL.
 * Generates some damaged ships (though mostly 1-2 hr repairs on DDs)
 * Can sometimes lose MVP
 * Need decent equips for optimal performance