Lightning
Tier VIII · Destroyer · U.K.
Rating A (Strong within its tier and class · overall score 70) · Stealth torpedo destroyer
Stealth torpedo destroyer, suited to torpedo ambush. It is weak against cruisers (AP deals a same-tier cruiser's HP in about 5 min on paper · torpedoes supply 33% of it). Top speed is 35.6 kn (0.6 kn below average), but 7.7 s acceleration and 10.7°/s turning make it exceptionally nimble at dodging shells and snapping turns. Add 4 charges of Fuel Smoke to break vision whenever it gets caught, and its survivability is very high. Its 8.4 km torpedoes outrange its 6.12 km detectability by 2.3 km, ideal for smoke-backed ambushes. Weak guns: avoid gunfights and focus on torpedoes or spotting.
Key stats
- HP: 17,700
- Top speed: 35.58 kn
- Surface detectability: 6.12 km
- Main battery: 120 mm 3X2 · reload 5.5 s · range 8.52 km
An L-class destroyer—the next step in the development of J-class ships. In comparison with her predecessors, she had fewer torpedo tubes and new, more powerful 120 mm guns mounted in turrets with a design that enabled firing at aircraft.