Kansas
Beta- Anchor a flank at 14-17 km with bow toward the closest threat
- Avoid: Sailing broadside while reloading
Kansas Community Stats
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Kansas Community Stats
Playstyle
Overview
Kansas is a Tier VII American all-rounder battleship with 406mm guns at 16.6 km: she has no single dominant kit trait but is competent across the board. The role flexes by team comp - mid-range AP anchor by default, brawl support when the team commits, sniper when the line sits back. Versatility is the value, not specialization. Standout traits: best DCP duration in T7 BBs (20 s).
Positioning
Anchor a flank at 14-17 km with bow toward the closest threat. Rotate one or two map cells with the team rather than holding solo; a battleship alone on a flank is a free focus target for the enemy.
Potato Avoidance
Sailing broadside while reloading
The main battery cycle is long enough that a punished broadside loses more HP than the next salvo gains; commit angles and finish reloads behind cover when the line allows.
Signature Traits
20.0 s Damage Control duration, best of T7 BBs. Stays fire / flood immune longer per activation.
~7.2 s to max forward speed, top decile of T7 BBs. Rebuilds speed quickly after a turn or stop. (Acceleration decode is validated in-game but not yet confirmed across every ship.)
Bow plate thicker than the cohort overmatch threshold. Angle straight on and shrug off same-tier guns.
Torpedo damage reduction in the top bracket. Tanks torpedo strikes that delete peers.
31.5 s reload, worst of T7 BBs. Salvos punish more, but cycle is slower than peers.
16.62 km main battery reach, bottom decile of T7 BBs. Outranged by peers; close distance or lean on terrain.
How to get Kansas
Kansas is available in the Heavy Battleships branch of the U.S. Tech Tree for 18,000,000 credits after researching it in the branch. Known module upgrades cost up to 3,600,000 credits. Official source cards below may also show its temporary Early Access window before it became a normal Tech Tree unlock.
Show U.S.A. tech-tree branch diagram
Kansas sits in the Heavy Battleships branch. The highlighted path shows the local branch context inside the full U.S. tree.
The heavy battleship line starts with Tennessee, focusing on maximum firepower at the cost of speed and flexibility in battle. Plan ahead, pick a position, and punish the enemy with a heavy broadside.
- Advantages
- Long-range main battery guns, Large main battery salvo
- Disadvantages
- Slow, Slow reload, Inflexible
Official WG availability sources
- Strike From the Skies: U.S. Hybrids in Early Access and Our July 4th Event Early Access Start: 2024-06-30 · End: 2024-07-31 Official early-access or tech-tree-line article. Tech-tree ships are temporary crate drops during Early Access, then move to the Tech Tree.
- July Update: Skyward Endeavors 12,500 Doubloons 2024-06-27 Tier VII default; exact price not in source
Builds Beta
Build for main-battery accuracy, reload, survivability, and concealment/positioning help. The ship rewards planned engagements.
Have a build you swear by? Open it in the Build Tool and hit Save build to share it here.
Cohort position
Hide
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Where Kansas sits among Tier VII BBs (39 ships). Notable standouts are shown first; the rest of the cohort-ranked stats are in the expand below. Acquisition variants (Black Friday, Founders Edition) are counted once with their base ship, not as separate peers.
See 26 mid-pack stats
Not standouts for Kansas -- here's where she sits on every other ranked stat in the cohort. Stats tagged NORM are tied across more than half the cohort, so the value is the cohort default rather than a standout.
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.
patched
- baseline35In-game data
- 2021-12-1634Holiday Update: Chilling With the Beasts Main battery reload time decreased from 38s to 34s.
- 2023-11-0235MINISTRY OF BALANCE REPORTS: A FLURRY OF CHANGES Main battery reload time increased from 34 to 35 s.
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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 = (15105/30·(12−2)/1000 + 2)·30 = 211.1 mƒ
Vertical dispersion ellipse height at max range = max horizontal × radiusOnMax = 211.1 × 0.6 = 126.6 mƒ
50%-hit horizontal radius = max horizontal × GetHalfHitsRatio(σ) = 211.1 × 0.332 (σ=1.9) = 70 mƒ
50%-hit vertical radius = max vertical × GetHalfHitsRatio(σ) = 126.6 × 0.332 (σ=1.9) = 42 mƒ
180 degrees / 4 deg/s traverse speed = 45 s.ƒ
12 broadside guns x 60 / 35 s base reload = 20.6.HE shells
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68 mm ≈ 406 mm caliber / 6 (standard HE penetration ratio).ƒ
5,700 HE damage x 12 broadside guns = 68,400.ƒ
68,400 HE full-salvo alpha x 60 / 35 s base reload = 117,257.ƒ
68,400 HE full-salvo alpha x 60 / 31.5 s installed reload (Main Battery Mod. 3 = -10%) = 130,286.ƒ
12 HE shells x 60 / 35 s reload x 36% fire chance = 7.41.AP shells
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floor(406 mm caliber / 14.3) = 28 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 × 2636 × 1016^0.69 × 0.406^-1.07 × 768^1.38 = 787.7 mm. Matches the in-game spec card.ƒ
Same formula at the ship's max firing range (20.8 km), where the shell has slowed to 479.8 m/s: 1e-7 × 2636 × 1016^0.69 × 0.406^-1.07 × 479.8^1.38 = 411.6 mm.ƒ
11,500 AP damage x 12 broadside guns = 138,000.ƒ
138,000 AP full-salvo alpha x 60 / 35 s base reload = 236,571.ƒ
138,000 AP full-salvo alpha x 60 / 31.5 s installed reload (Main Battery Mod. 3 = -10%) = 262,857.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: (92×3.5×0.75) + (81×3.5×0.7) + (41×3.5×0.75) = 548. 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 41 continuous AA damage from dual-purpose secondaries firing as AA in this range band.ƒ
Far 41 + Medium 92 = 133ƒ
Far 41 + Medium 92 + Near 81 = 214ƒ
Max dispersion = range (km) × 57 + 30. Each dispersion type sets its own slope; this is not a percentage applied to a standard baseline.ƒ
5 km × 57 + 30 = 315 m.
Damage Control Party∞ charges · 80 s reload · 20 s active
Repair Party3 charges · 80 s reload · 28 s active · 0.5% heal per second · 14% of max HP total heal
Catapult Fighter3 charges · 60 s reload · 55 s active · 5.56 km patrol radius · 1 squadron size
Observation Seaplane3 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
Defensive AA Fire4 charges · 120 s reload · 25 s active · +100% flak burst boost
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 = (15105/30·(12−2)/1000 + 2)·30 = 211.1 mVertical dispersion ellipse height at max range = max horizontal × radiusOnMax = 211.1 × 0.6 = 126.6 m50%-hit horizontal radius = max horizontal × GetHalfHitsRatio(σ) = 211.1 × 0.332 (σ=1.9) = 70 m50%-hit vertical radius = max vertical × GetHalfHitsRatio(σ) = 126.6 × 0.332 (σ=1.9) = 42 m2.5% overall improvement compared to EU BB Disp.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 × 2636 × 1016^0.69 × 0.406^-1.07 × 768^1.38 = 787.7 mm. Matches the in-game spec card.Same formula at the ship's max firing range (20.8 km), where the shell has slowed to 479.8 m/s: 1e-7 × 2636 × 1016^0.69 × 0.406^-1.07 × 479.8^1.38 = 411.6 mm.68 mm ≈ 406 mm caliber / 6 (standard HE penetration ratio).floor(406 mm caliber / 14.3) = 28 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 12 barrels bear on the broadside.180 degrees / 4 deg/s traverse speed = 45 s.5,700 HE damage x 12 broadside guns = 68,400.11,500 AP damage x 12 broadside guns = 138,000.68,400 HE full-salvo alpha x 60 / 35 s base reload = 117,257.138,000 AP full-salvo alpha x 60 / 35 s base reload = 236,571.68,400 HE full-salvo alpha x 60 / 31.5 s installed reload (Main Battery Mod. 3 = -10%) = 130,286.138,000 AP full-salvo alpha x 60 / 31.5 s installed reload (Main Battery Mod. 3 = -10%) = 262,857.12 broadside guns x 60 / 35 s base reload = 20.6.12 broadside guns x 60 / 31.5 s installed Artillery reload = 22.9.12 HE shells x 60 / 35 s reload x 36% fire chance = 7.41.12 HE shells x 60 / 31.5 s installed reload x 36% fire chance = 8.23.AA defense
Sum across every AA aura on this ship of (aura.continuous_damage x 3.5 x aura.hit_probability). Here: (92×3.5×0.75) + (81×3.5×0.7) + (41×3.5×0.75) = 548. 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.5 km × 57 + 30 = 315 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: 8×2 127 mm (8/side) × 60/6 × 1800 = 144,000. 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: 1800 from the 127 mm family.Maximum per-shell fire chance across secondary HE families (before target fire resistance is applied). Best on this ship: 5% from the 127 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: 21 mm from the 127 mm family.Armor
Hull HP 61,300 → 67,000 with hull upgrade, distributed across 5 hull zones, each with its own plate thicknesses, saturation cap, and pen thresholds. HP caps are the exact in-game values, not estimated.
| Section | Plates | HP cap | Threats | Tactic |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bow | 32 mm primary (range 32–273 mm) | 2,100 (3% of HP) | Overmatched by 460mm+ (Aki, Musashi)Angle bounces 410mm32 mm: HE pens from 203mm+ | Bow-tank fits behind this exterior plate. Saturation is FAST here; the cap is often only a few thousand HP. |
| Hull (midship) | 19 mm primary (range 19–343 mm) | 50,300 (75% of HP) | Overmatched by 283mm+ (Scharnhorst, Scharnhorst '43)Angle bounces 203mm19 mm: HE pens from 127mm+ | Largest HP pool. Citadel sits behind these plates; thinner deck and side plating absorb the rest. |
| Stern | 32 mm primary (range 32–241 mm) | 2,400 (4% of HP) | Overmatched by 460mm+ (Aki, Musashi)Angle bounces 410mm32 mm: HE pens from 203mm+ | Mirror of bow. Same fast saturation. |
| Citadel | 273 mm primary (range 32–273 mm) | ≈ 165,500 (effectively no cap) | Citadel pen ×0.10 damageOver-pen: ×0.10 damage | Effectively no cap; citadel pool sits at ~165k HP on every ship. Damage is gated by pen/over-pen multipliers instead (×0.10 direct pen, ×0.10 over-pen). |
| Superstructure | 32 mm primary (range 32–89 mm) | 3,900 (6% of HP) | Any HE ≥16 mm pens at full damage | Any HE ≥16 mm pens at full damage. HE-spam target, and the section saturates fast (often only a few thousand HP). |
| Turret (module, per magazine) | separate HP pool, does not drain ship HP | 33,500 magazine HP | Magazine detonation1–30% chance · below ~75% HP | Per-turret powder-magazine HP. Detonation chance scales from 1% (no mag damage) to 30% (full mag damage); this range is the in-game value. Detonation can't roll while the ship is above ~75% HP (the standard detonation-protection threshold, not a per-ship stat). Smaller magazines saturate to the 30% ceiling faster. |
| Secondary mount (127 mm mount) | separate HP pool, does not drain ship HP | 800 per-mount HP | Destroyed at 0 HP | Per-mount HP for the heaviest secondary on this ship. A mount destroyed at 0 HP is out for the rest of the battle; DCP does not repair destroyed mounts. Smaller (lighter-caliber) secondaries typically share the same HP value. |
| AA mount (40 mm mount) | separate HP pool, does not drain ship HP | 200 per-mount HP | Destroyed at 0 HP | Per-mount HP for the heaviest AA on this ship. An AA mount destroyed at 0 HP stops shooting down planes for the rest of the battle; DCP does not repair destroyed mounts. HE shells specifically target AA mounts since the small-caliber HP pool falls fast. |
| Engine (module, research) | engine coefficient (unconfirmed) | -0.100 research estimate | Largest on BB/BC; zero on destroyers | Engine durability isn't a per-ship HP field in the binary. This small negative coefficient is non-zero only on battleships, battlecruisers, and the heaviest cruisers, and is exactly zero on every destroyer, so it scales with hull displacement rather than any commander skill. Most likely an engine drag or power term in the same family as the decoded deceleration fields; exact meaning unconfirmed in the current decoder. |
| Rudder (module) | separate HP pool, does not drain ship HP | 20,100 module HP | Incapacitated at 0 HP | When module HP reaches 0 the rudder locks at its current angle until DCP repairs it. Repair via Damage Control Party. |
Saturation cap = HP a section can absorb before further damage to it is reduced (the "bow-tank" effect). Citadel pool is ~165k on every ship (effectively no cap); damage is gated by pen/over-pen multipliers instead. Superstructure saturates fast but HE always pens regardless of the plate thickness. Rudder (and other module HPs) are a separate pool from ship HP: damaging a module doesn't drain ship HP. Incapacitated modules like the rudder and engine are restored by DCP, but secondary and AA mounts destroyed at 0 HP stay out for the rest of the battle.
Shell ballistics chart
AP penetration, impact velocity, flight time and impact angle vs range. Click to load the interactive chart.
Balance History
Balance updates affecting Kansas. Cards are condensed; use each source link for full context.
MINISTRY OF BALANCE REPORTS: A FLURRY OF CHANGES
- Kansas is a top battleship at Tier VII with exceptional firepower. The accuracy and firepower-focused playstyle of the ship is unchanged, but we're reducing her damage output to bring her in line with her peers.
- Main battery AP shell damage reduced from 12,400 to 11,500.
- Main battery reload time increased from 34 to 35 s.
Holiday Update: Chilling With the Beasts
- Main battery reload time decreased from 38s to 34s.
- Main battery shell grouping improved by 12%.
- Kansas is a solid performer, but her maneuverability can be a real hindrance on occasion. Additionally, to give her a little more pep over her predecessor, North Carolina, we're upping her damage per minute with a simple gun reload buff.
Skins & permanent camouflages
Every custom exterior Kansas can equip, from in-game data.
DefaultThe ship’s standard exterior
S EagleDecorative
Kansas Hw24Halloween
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.
