Bismarck B
Beta- Start at mid-range, preserve HP, then push into caps or flanks where secondaries, armor, and improved m…
- Use islands and timing to avoid being farmed before the brawl starts
- Avoid: Do not rush straight in for secondaries at the opening
Bismarck B Community Stats
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Bismarck B Community Stats
Playstyle
Overview
Bismarck B is a German battleship built for controlled pushes and secondary pressure, with official guidance emphasizing secondary reload/dispersion and balance buffs to main-battery accuracy and ricochet behavior. Play her as a durable pressure ship that closes only when support is ready.
Positioning
Start at mid-range, preserve HP, then push into caps or flanks where secondaries, armor, and improved main guns can all work. Use islands and timing to avoid being farmed before the brawl starts.
Potato Avoidance
Rush straight in for secondaries at the opening
Bismarck B needs a staged push; arriving early and alone wastes the strengths of armor and secondary pressure.
How to get Bismarck B
Bismarck B is a Premium ship and not available to unlock in the Tech Tree. Acquisition path: Containers. Container chances are shown as the listed odds of receiving this exact ship, dividing grouped ship-pool odds across the resolved ships and including nested container paths when a crate can drop another crate.
Best listed chance for this ship
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Black Friday '22 Crate
1.5%
VII Bismarck B
Event containers · Black Friday '22 Crate
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Champion's Box
0.3%
VII Bismarck B
Event containers · Champion's Box → Black Friday '22 Crate
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Black Friday Ultimate Crate
0.2499%
VII Bismarck B
Event containers · Black Friday Ultimate Crate → Black Friday '22 Crate
Show all 5 containers (2 more)
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Ultimate Crate
0.15%
VII Bismarck B
Event containers · Ultimate Crate → Black Friday '22 Crate
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Piñata Chest
0.125%
Tier V, VI, or VII Premium ship
Event containers · Piñata Chest · 1 of 24 ships
Official WG availability sources
- Official WoWS Legends container odds Containers Official container drop rows linked below include direct and nested effective ship odds.
- Darkness & Light: a tale of two Halloween events Event/store source Start: 2021-10-01 · End: open/unknown end Official ship/event post that can indicate store, collaboration, event, return, or limited availability.
- Through the Spy Glass: Graf Zeppelin Ship feature / release Start: 2022-07-27 · End: open/unknown end Official Through the Spy Glass feature for this ship; useful as a release/availability source, but not a guaranteed current-store listing.
- Through the Spy Glass: Ark Royal Ship feature / release Start: 2022-10-17 · End: open/unknown end Official Through the Spy Glass feature for this ship; useful as a release/availability source, but not a guaranteed current-store listing.
- Through the Spy Glass: HMS Cossack '38 Ship feature / release Start: 2022-10-31 · End: open/unknown end Official Through the Spy Glass feature for this ship; useful as a release/availability source, but not a guaranteed current-store listing.
Show direct source rows
- Black Friday '22 Crate 1.5% · VII Bismarck B
- Piñata Chest 0.125% · Tier V, VI, or VII Premium ship
Builds Beta
Build for secondary battery reload/dispersion, survivability, main-battery consistency, and damage control. Commander choices should support secondary focus without abandoning durability.
Have a build you swear by? Open it in the Build Tool and hit Save build to share it here.
The stats below come from the base ship, Bismarck. This ship is built on the same hull; in-game data for the variant itself is not available.
Stats & specs
Customize in the Build Tool →Shell ballistics chartMore tools in the WoWS Legends Data LabAll values are ship base stats with modifications and upgrade changes denoted inline.
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Shell grouping (sigma); shown in-game as Shell Grouping.ƒ
Horizontal dispersion ellipse width at max range. (R/30·(idealRadius−minRadius)/idealDistance + minRadius)·30 = (15771/30·(12−2.2)/1000 + 2.2)·30 = 220.6 mƒ
Vertical dispersion ellipse height at max range = max horizontal × radiusOnMax = 220.6 × 0.6 = 132.3 mƒ
50%-hit horizontal radius = max horizontal × GetHalfHitsRatio(σ) = 220.6 × 0.325 (σ=1.95) = 71.8 mƒ
50%-hit vertical radius = max vertical × GetHalfHitsRatio(σ) = 132.3 × 0.326 (σ=1.95) = 43.1 mƒ
180 degrees / 5 deg/s traverse speed = 36 s.ƒ
8 broadside guns x 60 / 26 s base reload = 18.5.HE shells
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95 mm ≈ 380 mm caliber / 4 (improved HE penetration: German BBs, Yamato-class, and a handful of others).ƒ
4,400 HE damage x 8 broadside guns = 35,200.ƒ
35,200 HE full-salvo alpha x 60 / 26 s base reload = 81,231.ƒ
35,200 HE full-salvo alpha x 60 / 23.4 s installed reload (Main Battery Mod. 3 = -10%) = 90,256.ƒ
8 HE shells x 60 / 26 s reload x 34% fire chance = 6.28.AP shells
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floor(380 mm caliber / 14.3) = 26 mm (AP auto-penetrates plating this thick or less).ƒ
Canonical community AP formula (jcw780/wows_shell), evaluated at muzzle velocity: 1e-7 × Krupp × mass^0.69 × caliber_m^-1.07 × v0^1.38 = 1e-7 × 2550 × 800^0.69 × 0.38^-1.07 × 820^1.38 = 759.2 mm. Matches the in-game spec card.ƒ
Same formula at the ship's max firing range (21.7 km), where the shell has slowed to 519.3 m/s: 1e-7 × 2550 × 800^0.69 × 0.38^-1.07 × 519.3^1.38 = 404.2 mm.ƒ
11,600 AP damage x 8 broadside guns = 92,800.ƒ
92,800 AP full-salvo alpha x 60 / 26 s base reload = 214,154.ƒ
92,800 AP full-salvo alpha x 60 / 23.4 s installed reload (Main Battery Mod. 3 = -10%) = 237,949.ƒ
AP shell over-penetration splash radius; scales with shell mass. Wickes 102mm = 3, standard 152mm CL ~ 20, Iowa 406mm ~ 270, Yamato 460mm = 400, Incomparable 650mm = 550 (max). Larger value = bigger splash damage area when AP over-pens.ƒ
Sum across every AA aura on this ship of (aura.continuous_damage x 3.5 x aura.hit_probability). Here: (51×3.5×0.75) + (83×3.5×0.7) + (51×3.5×0.75) = 471. Covers AA-only mounts plus dual-purpose secondaries (Bismarck 105mm, USN 5"/38 cruiser secondaries) and dual-purpose main batteries (Sumner-class 5"/38, Akizuki-line 100mm). Formula validated against in-game captures on California, Sumner, Manfred von Richthofen, Dante Alighieri (exact) and within +/-17% on the remaining verified ships.ƒ
Longest-reaching aura across AA-only + dual-purpose auras.ƒ
Includes 51 continuous AA damage from dual-purpose secondaries firing as AA in this range band.ƒ
Far 51 + Medium 51 = 102ƒ
Far 51 + Medium 51 + Near 83 = 185ƒ
Max dispersion = range (km) × 57 + 30. Each dispersion type sets its own slope; this is not a percentage applied to a standard baseline.ƒ
7.5 km × 57 + 30 = 457.5 m.Show 3 more gun families
Damage Control Party∞ charges · 80 s reload · 15 s active
Repair Party3 charges · 80 s reload · 28 s active · 0.5% heal per second · 14% of max HP total heal
Catapult Fighter4 charges · 60 s reload · 55 s active · 5.56 km patrol radius · 1 squadron size
Observation Seaplane4 charges · 200 s reload · 30 s active · 1 squadron size · +10% main-battery range bonus
Secondary Battery Booster3 charges · 160 s reload · 30 s active · +100% damage boost · +50% reload boost
Sonar2 charges · 180 s reload · 96 s active · 4.93 km ship detect · 3.47 km torpedo detect
See all derived stats
Show
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Numbers the spec table cannot show directly: alpha-strike math, DPM, dispersion, AP penetration. Click the formula chip on any row to reveal how it is calculated.
Main battery formulas
Shell grouping (sigma); shown in-game as Shell Grouping.Horizontal dispersion ellipse width at max range. (R/30·(idealRadius−minRadius)/idealDistance + minRadius)·30 = (15771/30·(12−2.2)/1000 + 2.2)·30 = 220.6 mVertical dispersion ellipse height at max range = max horizontal × radiusOnMax = 220.6 × 0.6 = 132.3 m50%-hit horizontal radius = max horizontal × GetHalfHitsRatio(σ) = 220.6 × 0.325 (σ=1.95) = 71.8 m50%-hit vertical radius = max vertical × GetHalfHitsRatio(σ) = 132.3 × 0.326 (σ=1.95) = 43.1 mCanonical community AP formula (jcw780/wows_shell), evaluated at muzzle velocity: 1e-7 × Krupp × mass^0.69 × caliber_m^-1.07 × v0^1.38 = 1e-7 × 2550 × 800^0.69 × 0.38^-1.07 × 820^1.38 = 759.2 mm. Matches the in-game spec card.Same formula at the ship's max firing range (21.7 km), where the shell has slowed to 519.3 m/s: 1e-7 × 2550 × 800^0.69 × 0.38^-1.07 × 519.3^1.38 = 404.2 mm.95 mm ≈ 380 mm caliber / 4 (improved HE penetration: German BBs, Yamato-class, and a handful of others).This ship's HE shells use a 1/4 (~0.25) caliber-to-pen ratio instead of the standard 1/6 (~0.167) - 0.249 in this case. Lets HE pen ~95mm armor instead of ~63mm. Hits every German cruiser (150mm CL, 203mm CA) and BB (350mm+), British heavy cruisers / Lion / Nelson, a handful of other premiums.floor(380 mm caliber / 14.3) = 26 mm (AP auto-penetrates plating this thick or less).AP shell over-penetration splash radius; scales with shell mass. Wickes 102mm = 3, standard 152mm CL ~ 20, Iowa 406mm ~ 270, Yamato 460mm = 400, Incomparable 650mm = 550 (max). Larger value = bigger splash damage area when AP over-pens.All 8 barrels bear on the broadside.180 degrees / 5 deg/s traverse speed = 36 s.4,400 HE damage x 8 broadside guns = 35,200.11,600 AP damage x 8 broadside guns = 92,800.35,200 HE full-salvo alpha x 60 / 26 s base reload = 81,231.92,800 AP full-salvo alpha x 60 / 26 s base reload = 214,154.35,200 HE full-salvo alpha x 60 / 23.4 s installed reload (Main Battery Mod. 3 = -10%) = 90,256.92,800 AP full-salvo alpha x 60 / 23.4 s installed reload (Main Battery Mod. 3 = -10%) = 237,949.8 broadside guns x 60 / 26 s base reload = 18.5.8 broadside guns x 60 / 23.4 s installed Artillery reload = 20.5.8 HE shells x 60 / 26 s reload x 34% fire chance = 6.28.8 HE shells x 60 / 23.4 s installed reload x 34% fire chance = 6.97.AA defense
Sum across every AA aura on this ship of (aura.continuous_damage x 3.5 x aura.hit_probability). Here: (51×3.5×0.75) + (83×3.5×0.7) + (51×3.5×0.75) = 471. Covers AA-only mounts plus dual-purpose secondaries (Bismarck 105mm, USN 5"/38 cruiser secondaries) and dual-purpose main batteries (Sumner-class 5"/38, Akizuki-line 100mm). Formula validated against in-game captures on California, Sumner, Manfred von Richthofen, Dante Alighieri (exact) and within +/-17% on the remaining verified ships.Longest-reaching aura across AA-only + dual-purpose auras.SUM over AA auras of (aura DPS x aura range km). A plane crossing the AA bubble is exposed to each aura for a time proportional to that aura's range, so long-reach DPS is worth more than the same DPS in a short bubble. Units: DPS*km; used to rank overall AA threat across the cohort.Secondary battery dispersion
Max dispersion = range (km) × 57 + 30. Each dispersion type sets its own slope; this is not a percentage applied to a standard baseline.7.5 km × 57 + 30 = 457.5 m.Secondary battery firepower
Sum across all secondary families of (per-side barrels × 60 / reload_s × alpha), where per-side barrels = mounts × barrels-per-mount / 2 (the guns that bear on one broadside target). Per-family: 4×2 105 mm (4/side) × 60/3.35 × 1200 = 85,970 + 4×2 105 mm (4/side) × 60/3.35 × 1200 = 85,970 + 4×2 150 mm (4/side) × 60/7.5 × 1700 = 54,400 + 2×2 150 mm (2/side) × 60/7.5 × 1700 = 27,200. Assumes every shell hits (real hit rate is lower; the Brawl matchup tool on the Compare page folds in dispersion + target armor).Maximum HE damage per shell across secondary HE families. Best on this ship: 1700 from the 150 mm family.Maximum per-shell fire chance across secondary HE families (before target fire resistance is applied). Best on this ship: 8% from the 150 mm family.Maximum HE armor penetration across secondary HE families (caliber × 1/6 for most nations; 1/4 for German/UK BBs). Shells whose pen falls under a plate's armor thickness shatter for 0 hull damage though fire chance still applies. Best on this ship: 38 mm from the 150 mm family.Balance History
Balance updates affecting Bismarck B. Cards are condensed; use each source link for full context.
September update: the Redinforcements
- Shell grouping increased by 5%.
Two Years Strong: The April Update
- 105 mm secondary guns of German battleships can now penetrate 20 mm armor, which they weren't able to do before. This means that Bismarck and Tirpitz become more of a threat to any destroyers that wander too close, especially if the battleships have enhanced secondaries.
Marchin' on: The First Update of Spring 2021
- Main battery accuracy improved by about 3%.
- Guaranteed ricochet angle for main battery shells increased from 60 to 65 degrees, which means that Bismarck will be able to damage even more angled targets whose armor cannot be overmatched by 380 mm shells.
- Penetration of AP shells increased by about 4%, which should lead to a few more citadels when shooting angled but penetrable targets.
Skins & permanent camouflages
Every custom exterior Bismarck B can equip, from in-game data.
DefaultThe ship’s standard exterior
Primary official WG sources
Filtered to official World of Warships: Legends pages where this ship is a focus, reward, line member, or high-context variant mention.
