Summer 2023 Map E-7 - Normandy Landing Operation

[silentcap]

@goesto11

Thanks for the heads up.

Ugh...due to being very busy during the day, progress on E-5H P5 is kinda slow for me as I only have about 4 hours tops to play the game during weekdays. Just started trying to chip the last boss HP bar with a fleet that's based off @Ken G's a few hours ago and only chipped about 1/4 of the HP bar. I feel that I could have chipped off more than that if I can play the game for a whole day or something. Guess I'll have to bear with this.

[silentcap]

E-7 Hard Cleared

Phase 1
Nagato (lv90) (dupe): 41cm K2, 16inch Triple Mk.6 mod.2, Ka-Mi Tank (+6), Tank Daihatsu [SLO+]
Mutsu (lv68) (dupe): 2x16inch Triple Mk.7 (+6, +3), Loire 130M, T1 AP Shell [T3 Shell Kai]
Hyuuga (lv99): 38cm Quad Kai Deux, 16inch Triple Mk.6+GFCS, Zuiun K2 (634AG/Skilled), Reppuu K2, T1 AP Shell [T3 Shell K2]
Uranami (lv87): Daihatsu, 2xTank Daihatsu
Kuma (lv99): Kyoufuu K2, 2xKyoufuu Kai (+1, +1)
Souryuu (lv99): Shinden Kai, T0M53 Iwamoto (max), T0M52C Iwai (max), F6F-5 (+1)
+
Yahagi (lv97) (dupe): Drum, 2xKa-Mi Tank (max, max), O-Torp
Naganami (lv99): 3xDrum
Shiratsuyu (lv99): 3xDrum
Ayanami (lv99): 2x10cmHA+FD (max, max), Smoke Generator Kai (+2)
Teruzuki (lv99): 2x10cmHA+FD (max, max), T21 Radar K2
Kitakami (lv91) (dupe): 8inch Triple Mk.9 mod.2, 8inch Triple Mk.9, O-Torp [SLO]

Phase 2
Nagato (lv90) (dupe): 41cm K2, 16inch Triple Mk.6 mod.2, Ka-Mi Tank (+6), Tank Daihatsu [SLO+]
Mutsu (lv68) (dupe): 2x16inch Triple Mk.7 (+6, +3), Loire 130M, T3 Shell (+4) [T3 Shell Kai]
Hyuuga (lv99): 38cm Quad Kai Deux, 16inch Triple Mk.6+GFCS, Zuiun K2 (634AG/Skilled), Reppuu K2, T1 AP Shell [T3 Shell K2]
Teruzuki (lv99): 2x10cmHA+FD (max, max), T21 Radar K2
Kuma (lv99): Kyoufuu K2, 2xKyoufuu Kai (+1, +1)
Souryuu (lv99): Shinden Kai, T0M53 Iwamoto (max), T0M52C Iwai (max), F6F-5 (+1)
+
Yahagi (lv97) (dupe): 15.2cm K2 (+2), Ka-Mi Tank (max), Walrus (3), O-Torp [8cmHA+AMG(+2)]
Kitakami (lv91) (dupe): Mk.32 (Mk.2), T124 ASDIC, O-Torp [SLO]
Shiratsuyu (lv99): 12.7cm Type-D K3, HF/DF+T144/147 ASDIC, Ka-Mi Tank (max) [SLO+ (+4)]
Ayanami (lv99): Lightweight ASW Rocket, HF/DF+T144/147 ASDIC (+2) Smoke Generator Kai (+2) [SLO+ (+8)]
Uranami (lv87): Proto Long-barrel 12.7cm Type-A K4, 12.7cm Type-A K3 (Wartime)+AAFD, Ka-Mi Tank (+9)
Miyuki (lv88): 2x12.7cm Type-A K2 (max, +7), Tank Daihatsu

Phase 3
Nelson (lv99): 16inch Mk.I Triple+AFCT, Proto46cm Triple, Walrus (+3), T91 AP Shell (+6) [T3 Shell K2]
Shoukaku (lv99): Tenzan M12 Murata (+2), Shinden Kai, T0M53 Iwamoto (max), Re.2005 Kai [RoSa K2]
Warspite (lv99): 16inch Triple Mk.6+GFCS, 16inch Triple Mk.6 mod.2, SO3C Seamew Kai, T1 AP Shell [T3 Shell Kai]
Zuikaku (lv99): Tenzan M12 Murata, Corsair Mk.II, Fw190T Kai Skilled, FR-1 Fireball [RoSa K2]
Commandant Teste (lv98): Kyoufuu K2, 3xTank Daihatsu [RoSa K2]
Yura (lv97) (dupe): Tank Daihatsu, Kyoufuu Kai (+1), Tank Daihatsu
+
Yuubari (lv99): 2x20.3cm (no.3), Tank Daihatsu, Ka-Mi Tank (max), GFCS Mk.37 (+2) [SLO+]
Richelieu (lv99): 38cm Quad Kai Deux, 38cm Quad Kai, Late 298B, T3 Shell
Okinami (lv97): Hedgehog (+2), HF/DF+T144/147 ASDIC (+2), Smoke Generator Kai (+2) [T13 Radar LM]
Shigure (lv99): 12.7cm Type-B K4 (Wartime) + AAFD (+6), Ka-Mi Tank (+6), T3 Sonar Kai (+2) [REM (T13 Kai+T22 K4)]
Yukikaze (lv99): Mk.32 (Mk.2), HF/DF+T144/147 ASDIC, Ka-Mi Tank (max) [REM (T13 Kai+T22 K4) (+1)]
Mogami (lv99): 20.3cm (no.3) (+6), 2xTank Daihatsu, Ka-Mi Tank (max) [8cmHA+AMG]

Phase 4
Shinshuu Maru (lv78): 4xDLC
Nisshin (lv99): Toku DLC, 2xDLC, Kyoufuu K2 [SLO]
Ooshio (lv99): 3xDLC [Bofors 40mm]
Arashio (lv99): 3xDLC [Bofors 40mm]
Mutsuki (lv99): 3xDLC
Kisaragi (lv99): 3xDLC
+
Yahagi (lv99): 15.2cm K2 (+2), HF/DF+T144/147 ASDIC (+2), O-Torp, Ka-Mi Tank (max) [8cmHA+AMG]
Abukuma (lv99): 2xDLC, Armored Boat (AB) (+5) [Bofors 40mm]
Zara (lv99): 2x20.3cm (no.2), Loire 130M, Smoke Generator
Amagiri (lv91): Proto 15cm 9-tube ASW RL, T4 Sonar, SG Radar (Initial) [Bofors 40mm]
Jervis (lv99): Hedgehog, Drum, Smoke Generator Kai (+2) [SLO+ (+4)]
Janus (lv98): Hedgehog (+2), Drum, 10cmHA+FD (max) [SLO+ (+2)]

Phase 5
Nelson (lv99): 16inch Mk.I Triple+AFCT, Proto46cm Triple, Fairy Seafox Kai, T91 AP Shell (+6) [T3 Shell K2]
Tuscaloosa (lv70): 8inch Triple Mk.9 mod.2 (+6), 8inch Triple Mk.9, SOC Seagull (max), Barrage Balloon
Warspite (lv99): 16inch Triple Mk.6+GFCS, 16inch Triple Mk.6 mod.2, SO3C Seamew Kai, T1 AP Shell [T3 Shell Kai]
Kaga (lv99): Reppuu K2, Reppuu K2E, F4U-4 (+1), T0M53 Iwamoto (max), Shinden Kai [RoSa K2]
Nevada (lv51): 2x16inch Triple Mk.7 (+6,+3), SO3C Seamew Kai, T1 AP Shell (+8)
Commandant Teste (lv98): Kyoufuu K2, 2xKyoufuu Kai (+1,+1), T3 SPF Skilled [RoSa K2]
+
Yuubari (lv99): 2x61cm Quad Oxy (max,max), O-Torp, Toku DLC+PzIII Ausf.J (+2), GFCS Mk.37 (+2) [SLO+]
Tashkent (lv99): Searchlight (max), Star Shell, Smoke Generator Kai (+2), Smoke Generator (+1) [SLO]
Shigure (lv99): 2x61cm Quad (Oxy) LM (max,max), Barrage Balloon [SLO+(+4)]
Yukikaze (lv99): 2x61cm Quad (Oxy) LM (max,max), Barrage Balloon [SLO+]
Fletcher (lv99): 533mm Quint LM, 2x533mm Quint [SLO+ (+2)]
Mogami (lv99): 2x61cm Quad (Oxy) LM (max,max), Walrus (+3), Loire 130M [SLO+ (+8)]

Given my hectic real life schedule (leaving me only a few hours to play this game during weekdays) and with the last phase of E-6 (P3 LD) sucking in considerable resources and time (got stuck at LD for a few days), I was surprised I was able to clear this final map at Hard mode.

This map might be long due to the many phases it has but each phase being easy to clear made this map more tedious than difficult. At most, each phase took a day for me to clear except for Phase 5 as my attempt to clear this phase happened during weekdays where I have limited time to play and node U (and even X) messing up my passing rate as at least one of my ships got taiha-ed there a few times in a row. Add the runs that made it to the boss but barely scratched her (dealt ~100 damage to her) and this made reaching LD noticeably more difficult with Phase 4 being a distant second for me (I somehow lucked out and cleared that phase in a weekday).

Once I got to LD, I started doing the debuff requirements. Of the debuff requirements, getting two A-Rank wins on node P felt the most difficult requirement to achieve as I felt that I had an easier time reaching that node when trying to clear Phase 4. It took me a day and node support shelling to deal with that one. The other debuff requirements were easy enough that there's about half an hour difference of me clearing them one after another. With how many are they, doing the debuff felt like a marathon session as I revisted each required node to complete them in the shortest amount of time I can manage.

As for P5 LD itself, I was surprised to clear it in one try after completing the debuff especially as this is a Summer Event (which means this event is hard by default). Looking back on it again, Nelson's touch attack is going to heavily influence if this map can be cleared or not as it's gonna be necessary to remove 1 to 3 tanky meatshields escorting the boss in the enemy main fleet. Preferably, the touch attack should happen before Shelling Phase can begin so the boss' escorts in the enemy main fleet can't taiha ships in both my main and escort fleets. In my experience, Nelson's touch attack triggered before anyone could shoot and it resulted in one BB Hime going down and the CV Hime getting taiha-ed preventing her from attacking as a result.

At the end of day battle, the boss was at yellow health and every remaining escort (unfortunately, all of them save for the BB Hime that went down) she has was either chuhua-ed or taiha-ed (I would have prefered if she has like 1 or 2 escorts remaining at minimum so I have better chances of sinking her). Making things worse was that Shiggy got taiha-ed during the opening torp phase (1 Na-class survived long enough to do that) and Mogami got taiha-ed during the closing torp phase (that annoying imp survived long enough to do that). When NB started and no FF showed up (despite my FF slider switched to ON along with the slider for stronger FFs), I thought that this run was wasted. However, Yuubari triggered her TCI knocking the boss from yellow health to taiha and then Fletcher finished off the boss with a TCI shot.

This LD really surprised me as I wasn't expecting to clear this map's last phase's LD in one try given my experience of event final maps that I do cleared at Hard difficulty taking dozens of attempts to clear.

[goesto11]

@silentcap: Congrats!

[Ink20]

Debuff needs 10 sorties at minimum, so I went like this:
L+U: 2 sorties with P5 fleet
N+P: 1 sortie with P3 fleet
S+P: 1 sortie with P4 fleet
D+H: 2 sorties with P2 fleet (with 1 more BB)
A5: 2 sorties with unlock combined fleet
B4: 2 sorties with unlock single fleet (2CVL, 1CL, 3DD - 6 OASW, 1 Otorp)

LBAS1: 4 toukai to I, Q, C2 and B4
LBAS2: 4 bombers to U, K/O, O, C1/F, A5 and B (no need to use it on boss nodes for me)
LBAS3: 4 interceptors for defense (no change even after getting the 3 LBAS defenses to save resources)

no support

[firehawk12]

Got my clear with a less than optimal fleet. lol

Thanks everyone for posting their fleets! It's been really helpful.

[Etrigan]

What the actual fuck.



Didn't even get a screenshot of the kill shot, but here's a snap of Warspite knocking her down far enough that Nevada can finish the job.



Went to night just to try for the S-rank, but that ^%$#@ scheisseboot stayed alive.

Other than, y'know, clearing during the day this last dance sucked. Took 21 runs total - 4 retreats at U, 3 at X, 1 at I, 12 F5s and the one A-rank. Boss formations were mostly Head-on, with a scattering of parallel and Red-T. Never saw a Green-T.

Last Dance FF was either the 2 BB French fleet, or none at all. I thought maybe I was blocking the American CV FF (that showed up consistently during chipping) by using Intrepid in my ASW support fleet, but even after swapping her out it was just a parade or French ships. And the 2 BB French friendly fleet is pretty useless. I had a few runs that could have been clears with a better FF.

Overall almost 70k fuel, 41k ammo, 50k steel, 35k baux, 286 buckets and 11 Mamirako meal sets. E-7H LD was the worst, and most expensive part of this event for me by far, worse than E-6 and E-1. Still 0 event drops, so I've got 3 solid days of farming ahead of me.

[Ink20]

@Etrigan
Ships used for support don't affect FF, it's just the US FF being rare (I think I got it only 3 or 4 times) and the French one being common (I got tired of it so I used Richelieu to block it). Good luck with farming.

[Etrigan]

@Ink20 I didn't think so, but seeing NOTHING but the French fleet I started to wonder.

KCNav has the American CV fleet as the most common, and I had some variation of that on every chipping run. I think the French fleets become more common on LD, and the need to F5 failed runs is skewing the KCNav stats. Or, it's just RNG being RNG.

I saw your comment about using Richelieu to block, and I was considering swapping her in for Nevada. Seeing as Nevada got the kill I guess I'm glad I hadn't yet.

[Ink20]

@Etrigan
Well, I wasn't planning to use her but since the slow fleet (that should have been superior) wasn't working I tried a fast one (battles at U were so boring with all those misses due to smoke that I went to V also to save time) and the Warspite+Nevada FF that killed 2 heavy damaged hime was the FF that got the best results in all E7 for me (maybe the US FF did more damage but no kills).

[goesto11]

@Etrigan: Congrats on clearing. As for FF, just checked and USN "strong FF" of some sort is not uncommon according to KCNav for E-7 Hard. Norm/Med and below has little data size, but similar to Hard.

That being said, I think you raise a good point about the possibility of F5 changing the stats, albeit I'm not sure how the data is transferred/recorded to KCNav. Supposedly, even if one F5 refresh, a boss reach/sortie is recorded on KC3Kai, but never checked as to sortie details. Never thought about devs specifically barring a stronger FF from LD, but that would be.... something for sure. :/

I don't think I know anyone who's farming E-7 post clear, but tempted to ask around about FF distribution out of curiosity. Can say that current trend for E-6H is to ensure Brit FF. So RIP Janus, Jervis and Sheffield from E-6H P3 comps. IF (key) you can get the top Brit FF for E-6P3, it is pretty good. That being said, personally I'd just use best ships for any E-6H post clear farming, but you may wish to do differently.