Board Thread:Questions and Answers/@comment-92.39.31.32-20150317161015/@comment-25477086-20150317184222

First off it's important to have a diverse fleet to maximize your branching opportunities to pick the path of least resistance.

Do you have any CAV? If you have a suzuya/kumano/mikuma/mogami pick 2 and get them remodeled into a CAV. Tone is another option but that requires a lot of leveling and a blueprint.

You generally want 2 of each type of ship at least to kai. Get Akagi to kai if she is your only other CV. Also consider leveling 1 or 2 other fast CVL as well. Chitose/chiyoda are good choices. Hiyou is considered a 'slow' CVL and although she can carry a lot of planes, it might have a detrimental effect on some branching paths.

If you don't have Kitakami yet, she's easy to find and a good choice to level up to 50. The sad reality is that CLTs are too powerful to not have for events.

Your DDs could use some additional levels as well. Try to get Shigure and Yuudachi to kai ni.

Outside of that, do a lot of development. Your carriers are only as good as the planes you put on them. 3* planes (green/red/blue/yellow), sanshikis, AP shells, ASW, are good places to start.