Historical Background[]
The first of her kind of the Yamato Class. She, along with her sister ship Musashi, was the most heavy-armed and heaviest battleship ever designed and built (The Montana, could've matched the Yamato if she didn't remain on paper and Yamato's third sister ship the Shinano was converted into an aircraft carrier after her hull was only built). However, she arrived too late to both the US and Japanese. America's submarines and carriers already dominated over the crippled IJN fleet. Surprisingly, Yamato was actually commissioned in 1942, but did not serve any real action, as she was stationed at a naval base, for most of the war. The first battle she participated in was during the Battle of the Philippine Sea and then the Battle of the Leyte Gulf (During that battle, she sank an escort carrier and a destroyer, but withdrawn from a well-played torpedo from another destroyer). Later, she came to help Operation Ten-Go, where she meets her fate from above. Despite her crew's desperate attempt to repel the incoming waves of aircraft and leveling the ship (Via purposely flooding compartments, even the engine and boiler compartments, since the damage control station was destroyed), she eventually gave way to the endless rain of fire and started to uncontrollably capsize. At 2:05 PM, she began to sink and at 2:23, she exploded (Fires have reached the main magazines). Reports say the explosion was so powerful, that it could be seen from 200 km away, leaving an incredibly large mushroom-shaped cloud, and it even blew aircraft that were nearby from the sky! More than half of her crew perished, including the captain. During her final moments, she and other IJN ships only shot down 10 aircraft out of the massive waves of bombers and fighters.
In-Game[]
In-game, however, the legendary Yamato hardly needs any introduction; the largest and most powerful battleship in naval history. The Yamato's trump card is its 456 mm caliber artillery which, unsurprisingly, is the most powerful in World of Warships and the entire history of battleships. The Yamato also boasts the thickest armor in the game, up to 650 mm at the faceplate, affording it great protection at long and medium distances. It also boasts great torpedo belts that can resist the strongest of torpedoes, yet is one of the slowest ships (Obviously). The secret to her incredible secondary array is the noticeable bulge that starts at the mid-ship. This allows the massive array of the secondary battery and anti-aircraft batteries. However, even with her massive 460mm guns, be mindful of what shell you choose corresponding to the targets. AP shells, though stock high penetration, shell velocity, and mass, they are susceptible of over penetrating, especially when used against light cruisers and destroyers (Which minimizes damaging effects and flooding if it were to penetrate and detonate properly inside the ship on the other hand).
Being this powerful, she is definitely a flagship to protect and use against the foes that you face. You can play this ship in two main ways:
- The first way is the usual conventional way. Pick a flank, depending on the map. Rely on your teammates to protect you from enemy ships that appear and incoming aircraft. In return, you support your protecting teammates with heavy artillery and gunfire. Your teammates will try to preserve you for you to survive as long as possible and drop heavy gunfire onto the enemies.
- The second method is more daring. Instead of your teammates protecting you, you protect them with your heavy armor that you boast. You lead a push with your heavy guns and armor, protecting your lighter armored allies. Less chance to survive, but a better chance for your team to win a flank. Your armor belt right above the waterline is extremely strong - up to 650 mm thick and almost impenetrable while the torpedo belt is very resistant to torpedoes. The conning tower is nearly 13-20 inches and is the most protected area for crew members.