Shinano is a Tier X Japanese aircraft carrier that represents the pinnacle of Imperial Japanese Navy carrier design in World of Warships. Originating from a converted Yamato-class battleship hull, it has massive durability with top-tier aviation capabilities, making it one of the most formidable carriers at high-level play.
Basic Details
- Type: Aircraft Carrier
- Tier: X
- Nation: Japan
- Rarity: Special
- Release: 02, August 2024
- Price Value: 33,000 Steel
- Primary Role: High-tier support carrier focused on durable aircraft, consistent strike cycles, and late-game impact
Key Features
- Massive Converted Hull: Originally laid down as a Yamato-class battleship hull, Shinano has high HP for a carrier and improved survivability compared to many counterparts.
- Durable Aircraft Squadrons: Her planes have strong HP pools, making them more resilient against anti-aircraft fire and allowing deeper attack runs.
- Balanced Air Wing: Access to torpedo bombers, dive bombers, and attack aircraft, enabling flexible responses to destroyers, cruisers, and battleships.
- Improved Aircraft Regeneration: Designed for sustained combat presence, allowing steady pressure across longer matches.
- Strong AA Defenses for a Carrier: Better self-defense capability than many carriers, discouraging lone destroyer rushes.
- Large Detection Radius: As with most Tier X carriers, positioning matters; poor placement can lead to being spotted and focused quickly.
How to Obtain Shinano
Shinano is not part of the standard Japanese aircraft carrier tech tree. It was introduced as a special high-tier carrier and is primarily obtainable through the Armory using Steel, costing around 33,000 Steel.
Steel ships are earned through competitive modes such as Ranked Battles or Clan Battles. If Shinano is not currently available in the Armory, it may rotate back during special updates or seasonal competitive cycles. Availability can vary depending on patch rotations.
Ship Stats
Main Stats
- Survivability: 91
- Aircraft – 65
- Artillery – 5
- Airstrike – 65
- AA Defense – 83
- Maneuverability – 29
- Concealment – 42
Armor
- 13-400mm
Survivability
- Hitpoints: 71,700
- Torpedo Protection, Damage Reduction: 55%
Aircraft
Torpedo Bombers – (B7A Ryūsei) Level 8
- HP: 1650
- Speed: 137 kts
- Max Speed: 177 kts
- Engine Boost Time: 20 s
- Engine Boost Reload Time: 40 s
- Size of Attacking Flight: 3
- Aircraft per Squadron: 9
- Aircraft on Deck: 12
- Aircraft Preparation: 1 unit/55 s
- Detectability Range: 10 km
- Bomb: 1× Type 91 mod. 5
- Max Torpedo Damage: 6,533
- Aerial Torpedo Speed: 50 kt
- Torpedo Range: 5.0 km
- Torpedo Arming Distance: 537 m
Skip Bombers – (B7A Ryūsei) Level 8
- HP: 1650
- Speed: 145 kts
- Max Speed: 185 kts
- Engine Boost Time: 20 s
- Engine Boost Reload Time: 40 s
- Size of Attacking Flight: 4
- Aircraft per Squadron: 12
- Aircraft on Deck: 18
- Aircraft Preparation: 1 unit/65 s
- Detectability Range: 10 km
- Bomb: 1× Type 99 No. 80 Mk. 6
- Max Bomb Damage: 8,800
Dive Bombers – (J5N Tenrai) Level 10
- HP: 1710
- Speed: 152 kts
- Max Speed: 192 kts
- Engine Boost Time: 20 s
- Engine Boost Reload Time: 40 s
- Size of Attacking Flight: 8
- Aircraft per Squadron: 8
- Aircraft on Deck: 8
- Aircraft Preparation: 8 units/120 s
- Detectability Range: 10 km
- Bomb: 1× Type 90 No. 50 Mk. 6
- Max Bomb Damage: 8,800
- Armor Penetration: 55mm
- Chance of Causing Fire: 50%
Artillery
Secondary Armament
- 8×2 127 mm/40 Type 89 on a Model A1 mount
- Firing range: 7.3 km
- Reload time: 5.0s
- HE Shells Max Damage: 2,100
- HE Shells Chance of Fire: 8%
- HE Shells Armor Penetration: 21mm
Airstrike
- Aircraft: Kawanishi H6K
- Reload time: 25s
- Available Flights: 1
- Attacking Aircraft: 1
- Aircraft HP: 2000
- Airstrike Range: 08 km
- Bombs in Payload: 1x Type 1 No. 25 Mk 2 mod. 1
- Max Damage: 4,900
AA Defence
Long Range
- 8×2 127 mm/40 Type 89 on a Model A1 mount
- 12×28 120 mm AA Rocket
- Firing range: 5.8 km
- Hit Probability: 100%
- Damage by Shell Explosions: 1540
- Continuous Damage: 363
Short Range
- 35×3 25 mm/60 Type 96 on a triple mount
- 40×1 25 mm/60 Type 96 on a single mount:
- Firing Range: 2.5 km
- Hit Probability: 95%
- Damage: 382
- Action Zone: 0.1 – 2.5 km
Maneuverability
- Maximum speed: 27 kt
- Turning circle radius: 1200 m
- Rudder shift time: 18.7 s
Concealment
- Detectability range by Sea: 14.3 km
- Detectability range by Depths: 0.0-10.0 km
- Detectability Range by Air: 10.0 km
- Assured Detectability Range: 2.0 km
Tips to Play Shinano
Shinano excels at sustained pressure rather than burst alpha strikes. Focus on softening targets over time and forcing enemy ships to use their Damage Control Party early. Its durable aircraft allow you to push into moderately defended AA zones, but you should still avoid stacking multiple high-AA ships together.
Prioritize isolated targets and support your team’s pushes by spotting destroyers early. Rotate between squadron types to maintain constant offensive momentum. In late-game situations, Shinano becomes especially dangerous; fewer enemy ships mean weaker combined AA, allowing you to land more reliable strikes.
Position your hull conservatively behind allied lines and relocate as the battle shifts. While Shinano has solid survivability for a carrier, it is still vulnerable if caught out of position. Smart aircraft preservation and map awareness are the keys to maximizing its impact.
