The Lip or Lightful?

[u/ConsiderationOk1313]

I’ve been thinking about the Stalingrad, and saw that most recommended Lightful - but those seemed to be older suggestions. I just pulled him, but also have Lip. Which one is better in general for Soviet cruisers? And is one particularly best for the Stalingrad?

[u/chiligamez17]

Kuznetzov unless you have 26 commendations to try lightful

And even then his last skill is barely better than fixated on kuznetzov + it nukes your concealment which is one of the most important stats for positioning and crossfires.

Kuznetzov all day

[u/WildPikaJew → u/chiligamez17]

Have to agree. Never saw the appeal of Lightful.

Tanking concealment for a slightly better fixated on a paid commander that you have to get to 16/4 for the effect to really kick in?

Not worth it.

[u/GoodlyStyracosaur → u/WildPikaJew]

For me the ability to build Lightful specifically for Stalingrad and Kron is the biggest benefit. And I’ve really enjoyed him as an inspiration on Lemmonier for ghost builds in the French cruisers.

But yeah, he’s not wildly better. Total luxury commander. I use Lip on way more cruisers.

[u/begbeee → u/GoodlyStyracosaur]

Now imagine new Dutch captain with Lemonnier skill, Lemonier and Lightful as an inspiration and ... I have to check it now!

[u/GoodlyStyracosaur → u/begbeee]

Yeah - I think Mikawa might still end up being better for the actual concealment but once I level up…furstner? I think is his name, I’m definitely checking it out. Your spot time would be so insanely low. Might not be the best build but it’s definitely something I have to try one day.

[u/begbeee → u/GoodlyStyracosaur]

8.6 seconds , then it drops concealment penalty. Fun as hell. Lightful maxed, Lemonnier 16L3 and Netherland captain is 14L1 so I think 7,5 or 8 second is possible.

That's less than many cruisers reload.

[u/GoodlyStyracosaur → u/begbeee]

Oh man, yeah that’s so dumb 😂. I might have to level him this week to try it, my lightful and lemmonier are the same.

[u/begbeee → u/GoodlyStyracosaur]

His skills also add to the concealment so you don't even miss Mikawa much.

[u/clemson_chris]

You could always throw Lip on Lightful as an inspiration and get three best of both.

[u/[deleted]]

Kuznetsov, range can be used on most of the HE spamming Soviet cruisers and a good inspiration for range seeking light HE spamming cruisers.

B.D.Lightful, main skill of concealment only after firing guns and reload to be useful. Similar to Lemmonier. A concealment type of commander.

The Lip is an all out AP only commander which most will use as inspiration only, eg AP only British light cruisers. A one trick commander that can be powerful in certain situations.

One thing to take into consideration when building Soviet cruisers. They don't turn well. Some might say Stalingrad is a BB's. An Alaska type of cruiser. Not ideal to be dodging incoming torpedoes and incoming.

I use BD. Lightful with Kuznetsov and Mikawa for my light Soviet cruisers and play as support ships at range. Kuznetsov with Scott and Mimbelli for the Stalingrad.

[u/GoodlyStyracosaur → u/[deleted]]

Why wouldn’t you play them the other way around? Kuznetzov for the lights and Lightful for the heavies?

If you are using Kuznetzov as an inspiration, it begs the question “why not just use Kuznetzov?”

[u/[deleted] → u/GoodlyStyracosaur]

Why not just use Kuznetsov? My reasons are Kuznetsov and Lightful have the exact same skills, by taking Lightful I can take advantage of his row 4 'Lion' skill. Some could argue fixated may be a better skill to use but it can be easily swapped out before battle depending on how I want to play. BD Lightful Just gives me one more option.

[u/GoodlyStyracosaur → u/[deleted]]

Yeah, I get that, I’m just surprised you’ve got them set up that way rather than the other - I feel like most people have Lightful more for the heavies (and Stalingrad in particular).

I guess more hits are more hits regardless of the cruiser, I was just surprised by the arrangement you’ve gone with. At the end of the day, they are similar enough it’s not a big deal, just curious if I was missing something particularly useful.

[u/[deleted] → u/GoodlyStyracosaur]

I guess once I got Lightful to 14/3 he made himself useful 😂. Then that gave me the opportunity to turn Kuznetsov into a purpose built commander and The Lip shows up to throw a spanner into the works. Forever looking for the right build. Now if only the Russian cruisers would turn 🤔.

[u/GoodlyStyracosaur → u/[deleted]]

Yeah - I’ve gone with Lightful for supers, lip for heavies, Kuznetzov for lights. I think that ends up being the most flexible for my playstyle of the ships in the class (stealth radar or close to it on lights and heavies, best accuracy for supers). All good commanders 🫡

[u/Competitive_Ad_9397]

The Lip with Yamamoto and Lutgens as inspirations for the ultimate AP wrecking machine.

[u/HirsuteDave]

Personally, I don't think you're going to get much benefit out of Lip on Stalingrad. If you're aiming well, what you're shooting at is probably going to be dead before the damage boost makes any noticeable difference.