Shik Hak FTW!

November 20, 2024

Literally, for the win.

I was in my own engagement bubble during this match. Playing Bismarck like a super heavy cruiser. I knew the Shik was behind me...could hear those wonderfully sounding pounding gun and could see the Hak planes flying over to destinations down range. And I remember some seminal moments that caught my attention. But I didn't realize the total destruction they delivered until the game ended.

The "inside baseball" analysis: That Yammy was divisioned with a Mino (their B division). While our Shik and Hak focused the tanking Yammy, their Mino tried to flank our Shik for a torp run. Fortunately, our Jager caught the flank (and died early doing so). But I was also stalking the Mino. Once Jager made contact, our team had eyes on (at least for the short period of Jager engagement). Reds also saw me driving in to fill the gap and their Yammy began to focus me to good effect. But their Mino, seeing me (a Bismarck in good position with good SA on a Mino can be very effective) and knowing the flank move was up, had to retreat.

After that, I did my best to tank/angle the Yammy, who continued his relentless pounding on me with those 18 inchers. I reconciled myself to eventually dying...I was in stay alive as long as possible mode. That's when I observed the Shik and Hak double team on the Yammy. They had been doing this while I was in my bubble, but I didn't notice just how effective that teaming was until I was able to look up from my survive as long as possible position. The Shik held 'em in tank (AND could overmatch the Yammy) while the Hak was getting at least double runs on the Yammy (one of Yammy's Achilles heals is relatively poor AA vs a T10 CV).

I survived! And I remember vividly my relief when I saw 'em take Yamato out. Then we collectively rolled that flank and continued on around FTW.

It ultimately looks like a blow out. But in the moment of the early fight (where I lost 75% of my hit points) where the score/ship count was even, it didn't feel like it. In fact, it wasn't clear to me until we were through the mid game.

Note to self: If I see a Shik Hak division on the red side...I better think about my strategic positioning.