Messina: Tier IX Italian Premium Cruiser 1943
A hypothetical anti-aircraft cruiser design based on the Ansaldo cruiser project for Spain. In the early 1940s, Italy was developing dual-purpose 135 mm mounts for destroyers and the small Etna-class light cruisers. Had this project been successful, a logical next step would have been the development of a dual-purpose version of the 152 mm Model 1934 guns, intended for larger ships.
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About Messina:
The Tier IX Italian premium cruiser Messina is armed with nine 152 mm dual-purpose main battery guns in three triple turrets. Unlike most cruisers, it fires exclusively SAP (Semi-Armor Piercing) shells, allowing it to dish out considerable damage per minute at medium range. This is complemented by high speed and decent concealment, making it suitable for quick, stealthy repositioning while consistently engaging opponents.
Beyond its artillery, Messina is equipped with heavy-hitting torpedoes on both sides and an improved Hydroacoustic Search consumable with extended range, enabling aggressive pushes. Its Exhaust Smoke Generator provides a key tactical tool to close distance on unsuspecting foes or disengage from dangerous situations.
In summary, Messina will appeal to captains who prefer medium-range skirmishing with agile, fast-firing ships but are ready to leverage its tools for close-quarters combat when the opportunity arises.
Ship Info:
Ship Name: 
IX Messina
Level: 9
WG Introduction: September 25th, 2025
Paper Ship: Yes
Rarity Level: Soon
Status (Test and/or Early Access): 
IX Messina
Base Value: 
21,500
Estimated Release: 14.11
Nation: Italia
Current Development Status: Work in Progress
Armor:
Hit Points (HP): 43,600
Torpedo Damage Reduction: 19 %
Fire Duration: 30 s
Bow/Stern Plating (Fore/Aft): 25-50 mm / 25-50 mm
Armor Belt (Mid-section, Max): 30-150 mm
Deck Plating (Fore/Mid/Aft): 25 / 27 / 25 mm
Superstructure Plating: 16 mm
Citadel Internal Plating (e.g., Bulkhead): 27 mm
Citadel Bottom: 40 mm
Turret Plating (Face to Side/Roof): 35-145 mm
Main Battery Armament:
3 x 3 152 mm/55 C.A. Model 1934
Firing range: 16.8 km
Reload time: 8.95 s
180-degree turn time: 15 s
Maximum dispersion: 149 m
Sigma: 2.05
Shell Types:
SAP Shells:
9x 152 mm proiettili CS 1944m
Alpha Damage: 3,850
Alpha Piercing CS: 42 mm
Ammo Type: Semi Armor Piercing
Shell Air Drag: 0.204
Shell Always Ricochet At: 80.0°
Normalization: 45.0°
Shell Detonator: 0.03
Shell Detonator Threshold: 25.0
Shell Diameter: 152 mm
Shell Krupp: 3.0
Shell Mass: 49.6 kg
Shell Ricochet At: 70.0°
Shell Speed: 945.0 m/s
Depth Charge Airstrike (ASW):
Aircraft: CANT Z.506 Airone
Aircraft level: 6
Plane HP: 2000 hp
Reload time: 30 s
Available flights: 2
Number of Aircraft in Attacking Flight: 1
Maximum range: 7 km
Number of Bombs in Payload: 2x CS 160 kg
Maximum bomb damage: 4,200
Chance of fire: 24%
Torpedoes:
2 x 4 533 mm tubo lanciasiluri/Si 270
Maximum damage: 20,433
Range: 8 km
Speed: 72 kt
Reload time: 140 s
Launcher 180-degree turn time: 7.2 s
Torpedo detectability: 1.7 km
Secondary Armament:
12 x 2 90 mm proiettili HE
Maximum range: 7 km
Reload time: 4 s
Maximum HE shell damage: 1,300
Chance to cause fire: 5%
HE initial velocity: 860 m/s
HE shell armor penetration: 15 mm
AA Defense:
Long-Range:
3 x 3 152 mm/55 C.A. Model 1934:
12 x 2 90 mm/50 Model 1939 on a twin mount
Continuous damage per second: 238
Hit probability: 90 %
Action zone: 5.2 km
Number of explosions in a salvo: 2
Damage within an explosion: 1440
Continuous damage: 424
Action zone 3.5: 5.8 km
Mid-Range:
18 x 2 37 mm/54 Model 1938 on a Model 1938 mount
Continuous damage per second: 347
Hit probability: 90 %
Action zone: 3.5 km
Mobility:
Maximum speed: 37 kt
Turning circle radius: 680 m
Rudder shift time: 10.5 s
Propulsion: 192,000 hp
Detection:
Surface detectability: 14 km
Air detectability: 8.7 km
Detectability after firing main guns in smoke: 7.7 km
Available Consumables:
Slot 1: Damage Control Party
Charges: unlimited
Duration time: 5 s
Reload time: 60 s
Slot 2: Repair Party
Charges: 3
Duration time: 28 s
HP per second: 218 hp/s
Reload time: 80 s
Slot 3: Exhaust Smoke Generator
Charges: 2
Duration time: 40 s
Action time: 10 s
Reload time: 150 s
Slot 4: Hydroacoustic Search
Charges: 2
Duration time: 120 s
Detection of ships: 6 km
Detection of torpedoes: 4 km
Reload time: 120 s
Slot 5: Fighter
Charges: 3
Duration time: 60 s
Reload time: 90 s
Number of fighters: 4
Note: All stats are listed without crew and upgrade modifiers but with best available modules. The stats are subject to change at any time.
Important: All information in this post is 'Work in Progress', the announced adjustments and features may undergo multiple changes during testing, all changes will be added to this post immediately after they become available, the final details will be officially published and labelled in the ship info as 'Released' on this post.
