Board Thread:Fleet's Prepared-ness/@comment-33625663-20171112020554/@comment-25730832-20171112073957

For 1-5 leveling, you can go 6 ships and just throw them into 3 nodes of 1-5 then retreat. Throw all your CL/DD into here (even CA works). CAs can take the PvP section.

I'm against leveling Naka to Kai ni.

Naka Kai ni does not bring much to the table and you're better off distributing that EXP to Isuzu and Sendai. Her stock equipment brings nothing and her stats are average at best. She's only usable when you have everyone else and want a  jack-of-all-trades ship that you want to send in first as a  measure in Medium/Hard maps. Kuma Kai punches harder than Naka Kai Ni 28 levels earlier (let that sink in).

Kuma (Nagara and kinda Natori) Kai is ridiculous. If you modernized her, her Kai form alone packs the same punch as Sendai Kai Ni fully modernized just 40 levels earlier. Combat wise, she's your best bet. Honestly, I would put her as your #1 CL priority if not for:

Sendai Kai Ni being really useful because the last map is already confirmed to be a Night battle map. Sendai Kai Ni gives all three Night battle equipment. This is Utility > Combat. But still, combat comes first, and you're better off gearing for Kuma first then work on Sendai later.

Isuzu Kai Ni provides you with Auto Opening ASW attack which can prove useful if you're struggling with a submarine map. However, you can do without her and it is best you wait until event to see if you really need her.

Then what about DD?

I always recommend Yuudachi as the first ship that people should focus on leveling to Kai Ni no matter what except under two situations:
 * Yukikaze Dropped
 * Yukikaze is your luxurious version of Shigure. Harder to obtain, but when obtained, should be raised immediately. She brings the FP, TP and Luck of Shigure but at LEVEL 20! Modernized her up and she'll be your main fighting force and Torpedo Cut-in Ship until you get Shigure as your support.
 * Shimakaze Dropped
 * Shimakaze IS a beast for new admirals. High FP and High TP stats (99!) make up for her as the punching version of Yukikaze in Night Battle that is closer to Yuudachi Kai Ni. In day battle, she has the same FP as Yukikaze but more Torpedo stat. Yukikaze still has more uses, but Shimakaze still isn't a ship that you should ignore.
 * Why not.....
 * Ayanami: She's a Yuudachi that can provide possible cut-in (luck 40 is still a bit dicey) but must be leveled to 70 for Kai ni. Takes too long for you.
 * Hatsushimo: Weaker-Shigure
 * Ushio: Weaker-Hatsushimo
 * Asashio-class: Takes too long to Kai ni (Michishio is plausible but do her later)
 * Mutsuki-class K2: Expedition-mule; Daihatsu-mule but you don't have that.
 * Satsuki: Can be used as an OASW ship but it'll take a while before you reach that.
 * Hatsuharu, Fubuki, and Murakumo: Weaker-Yukikaze and must be Kai Ni at 70/65.
 * Russian Loli (Hibiki): Can be used as an OASW ship but it'll take a while before you reach that.

But no matter what, Yuudachi should still be your first DD to Kai Ni. Ridiculous stat? check. Easily Kai-ni? Check. Meme-able? Check. Yuudachi brings you everything you need for a DD. Think of her as a mini-CA.

Why you should care about Nishimura Fleet LATER

Nishimura fleet becomes relevant in the last map. What you need is a fleet that can get you there first. It is a "Historical Confirmation" but still, how much effect will it have? Can you just do it with normal ships? Unless they want to break the game by forcing Nishimura fleet, you should worry about them as your last issue.

Focus on your main issue first: your fleet's level, your lack of usable CAs (get at least 2-4).