This World of Warships tier list ranks every major option by overall effectiveness. Rankings factor in damage output, survivability, versatility, gear requirements, and how well each option scales.
Tier definitions: S = best in class, always a strong pick. A = strong and competitive, minor weaknesses. B = solid but clearly outperformed in most situations. C = viable only for players who enjoy the playstyle.
Characters Rankings
| Tier | Role | Rating | Playstyle |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | Destroyer | 8.5/10 | Balanced approach |
| A | Cruiser | 8.5/10 | Balanced approach |
| A | Battleship | 8.5/10 | Balanced approach |
| A | Aircraft carrier | 8.5/10 | Balanced approach |
| A | Submarine | 8.5/10 | Balanced approach |
Detailed Characters Analysis
Destroyer (A-Tier)
Destroyer is a competitive option in the current meta.
Best with: Armor piercing shells. See our builds guide for full setup. Stat focus: Balanced stats
Cruiser (A-Tier)
Cruiser is a competitive option in the current meta.
Best with: High explosive shells. See our builds guide for full setup. Stat focus: Balanced stats
Battleship (A-Tier)
Battleship is a competitive option in the current meta.
Best with: Torpedoes. See our builds guide for full setup. Stat focus: Balanced stats
Aircraft carrier (A-Tier)
Aircraft carrier is a competitive option in the current meta.
Best with: Secondary batteries. See our builds guide for full setup. Stat focus: Balanced stats
Submarine (A-Tier)
Submarine is a competitive option in the current meta.
Best with: Carrier squadrons. See our builds guide for full setup. Stat focus: Balanced stats
Weapons Rankings
| Weapon | Best With | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Armor piercing shells | Battleships and cruisers punishing an enemy that has turned broadside | Fuse on impact with thick plate and detonate inside for citadel damage. |
| High explosive shells | Cruisers pressuring bow on battleships and anyone shooting at destroyers | Deal reliable chip damage regardless of angle and set fires, with penetration equal to one sixth of calibre for most nations and one quarter for German large calibre guns. |
| Torpedoes | Destroyers denying an area and cruisers ambushing around islands | Slow, invisible until they get close, and devastating in a stack. |
| Secondary batteries | Brawling battleships that intend to close inside 8 kilometres | Automatic short range guns that fire without input, most dangerous on German battleships such as Grosser Kurfürst where a dedicated build extends their range considerably. |
| Carrier squadrons | Finding hidden destroyers and finishing low health ships that have broken off | Rocket planes, dive bombers and torpedo bombers flown directly, one attack run at a time, with the rest of the squadron circling. |
Check our weapons guide for in-depth stats and comparisons.
Weapons Analysis
Armor piercing shells: Fuse on impact with thick plate and detonate inside for citadel damage. They overpenetrate lightly armoured destroyers, so they are wasted on anything that is not showing side armour.
High explosive shells: Deal reliable chip damage regardless of angle and set fires, with penetration equal to one sixth of calibre for most nations and one quarter for German large calibre guns.
Torpedoes: Slow, invisible until they get close, and devastating in a stack. Range varies from 8 kilometres on fast Japanese mounts up to 20 kilometres on Shimakaze's long range option.
Secondary batteries: Automatic short range guns that fire without input, most dangerous on German battleships such as Grosser Kurfürst where a dedicated build extends their range considerably.
Carrier squadrons: Rocket planes, dive bombers and torpedo bombers flown directly, one attack run at a time, with the rest of the squadron circling. They also spot for the whole team, which is often worth more than the damage.
Meta Analysis
The current meta in World of Warships centers on Concealment and spotting and Angling and overmatch. Builds that leverage both systems outperform those that focus on only one. Our combat guide explains these interactions in depth.
What's strong right now:
- Destroyer with Armor piercing shells is the benchmark. Everything else is measured against it.
- Fires and flooding builds are gaining ground as players find new combinations.
- Battleship remains essential for learning hard content. See the boss guide.
What's underrated:
- Cruiser is consistently overlooked despite being the most flexible option.
- Torpedoes offers excellent performance for its investment level.
What's overhyped:
- Pure Submarine builds. High ceiling but the consistency isn't there for most players.
Quick Picks by Situation
| Situation | Best Role | Best Weapon | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall best | Destroyer | Armor piercing shells | Highest consistent performance |
| New player | Cruiser | High explosive shells | Most forgiving, teaches mechanics |
| Hard content | Battleship | Torpedoes | Survivability when you need it |
| Group play | Aircraft carrier | Secondary batteries | Utility and team support |
| Experienced player | Submarine | Carrier squadrons | Unique challenge and high ceiling |
More World of Warships Guides
- World of Warships World of Warships Overview
- World of Warships Best Builds
- World of Warships Walkthrough
- World of Warships Beginner's Guide
- World of Warships Tips & Tricks
- World of Warships Weapons Guide
- World of Warships Combat Guide
- World of Warships Boss Guide
- World of Warships Maps & Locations
- World of Warships Crafting Guide
- World of Warships Classes & Characters
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If you enjoy World of Warships, check out these related guides:
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- Black Myth: Wukong Tier List: action game with similar mechanics
- Monster Hunter Wilds Tier List: action game with similar mechanics
