Ship:Molotov

14.8

Molotov

Cruiser | U.S.S.R. | Tier VI

Tech Tree Position

General

Purchase priceSpecial

Hit Points28,400

Main Battery

180 mm/57 Model 1932 on an MK-3-180 mount3 х 3 pcs.

Rate of Fire4.8 shots/min

Reload Time12 sec

Rotation Speed8 deg/sec

180 Degree Turn Time22.5 sec

Firing Range15.5 km

Maximum Dispersion139 m

HE ShellHE-32

Maximum HE Damage2,500

Chance of Fire13 %

Initial HE Velocity920 m/s

HE Shell Weight97.5 kg

AP ShellAP-32

Maximum AP Shell Damage4,400

Initial AP Shell Velocity920 m/s

AP Shell Weight97.5 kg

Secondary Armament #1

100 mm/56 Model 1940 on a B-34 mount6 х 1 pcs.

Firing Range5 km

Rate of Fire15 shots/min

Reload Time4 sec

HE ShellHE-56

Maximum HE Shell Damage1,400

Initial HE Shell Velocity895 m/s

Chance of Fire on Target Caused by HE Shell6 %

Torpedo Tubes

533 mm Triple 1-N2 х 3 pcs.

Rate of Fire0.9 shots/min

Reload Time70 sec

Rotation Speed  deg/sec

180 Degree Turn Time7.2 sec

Torpedo53-38

Maximum Damage14,400

Torpedo Speed65 knot

Torpedo Range4 km

AA Defense

12.7 mm DShK4 х 1 pcs.

12.7 mm Vickers on a Mk.III mount2 х 4 pcs.

37 mm 70-K mount12 х 1 pcs.

45 mm 21-K mount6 х 1 pcs.

100 mm/56 Model 1940 on a B-34 mount6 х 1 pcs.

Maneuverability

Maximum Speed36 knot

Turning Circle Radius860 m

Rudder Shift Time7.8 sec

Concealment

Surface Detectability Range12.8 km

Air Detectability Range6 km

Battle Levels

12345678910

VI

Special

Molotov — Soviet special premium Tier VI cruiser.

An improvement of the preceding Project-26 cruisers, also known as the Kirov-class cruisers, the Project-26bis "sub-class" had improvements in armour protection, while retaining the powerful armaments and high speed set as standard of the class.

Molotov was first released for sale worldwide on 16 May 2016.

Modules

	Rate of Fire (shots/min)	180° Turn Time (sec)	Maximum Dispersion (m)	Maximum HE Shell Damage (HP)	Chances of HE shells causing a fire on target (%)	Maximum AP Shell Damage (HP)		Research price (exp)	Purchase price ()
180 mm/57 Model 1932 on an MK-3-180 mount	4.8	22.5	139	2,500	13	4,400		0	0

	Hit Points (HP)	Armor (mm)	Armor (mm)	Main Turrets (pcs.)	Secondary Gun Turrets (pcs.)	AA Mounts (pcs.)	Torpedo Tubes (pcs.)	Hangar Capacity (pcs.)		Research price (exp)	Purchase price ()
Molotov	28,400	10	150	3	6	4/2/12/6/6	2			0	0

	Rate of Fire (shots/min)	Torpedo Tubes Reload Time (sec)	180° Turn Time (sec)	Maximum Damage (HP)	Torpedo Speed (knot)	Torpedo Range (km)		Research price (exp)	Purchase price ()
53-38	0.9	70	7.2	14,400	65	4		0	0

	IDS_SHIP_PARAM_SUO_INCREASE_DIST (%)	Maximum Firing Range (km)		Research price (exp)	Purchase price ()
GFCS VI mod. 1		0		0	0

	Maximum Speed (knot)		Research price (exp)	Purchase price ()
Propulsion: 110,000 hp	36		0	0

Compatible Upgrades

Slot 1
Slot 2
Slot 3
Slot 4

Player Opinion

Performance

Warning: The data presented in the AA Defense sidebar section may be incorrect.
Refer to the in-game Port screens for more useful data.

Molotov superficially resembles the Tier V soviet cruiser Kirov, and both ships do share many similar characteristics. Both have paper armor and cannot be relied upon to tank damage when found in unfavourable situations. Both have an average anti-aircraft suite, which could provide mediocre self-defence from aviation, at best. Furthermore, both cruisers exhibit good speed, which gives them the legs to move between destinations, but the large turning radius hampers any sense of maneuverability.

The most notable trait of Molotov are the primary artillery. While they are the same rifles mounted on Kirov, Molotov has improved ballistic characteristics than its Tier V predecessor; the ballistic characteristics are more similar to those of Tier IX Russian cruiser Dmitri Donskoi. Specifically, she has good fire chance, good AP alpha damage, and good shell velocity. This allows her to reliably hit any straight-sailing ship at any distance; even nailing citadels against broadside cruisers. As well, she has the volume of fire to deter any destroyer that gets too close, and harass any battleship that has over-extended.

Molotov is a reliable secondary line support gunship that can provide effective counter-fire from the rear of an advancing flank, while the primary line ships are keeping the enemy ships busy, but this task is not easy. Captains will need to have mastered good map/situational awareness and a decent sense of pre-planning to understand where to position their Molotov; this can spell the difference between a feared gunship and a target for the enemy.

Pros:

• Great speed of 36 knots.
• Fantastic gun handling characteristics and shell performance.
• Responsive rudder for a cruiser.

Cons:

• Fragile cruiser with light armor.
• AA capabilities are limited.
• Secondary and Torpedo armament are too short-ranged to be effective.
• Has a large turning radius.
  

Research

As a Premium ship, Molotov doesn't have any upgrades to research.

Optimal Configuration

Upgrades

The recommended upgrades for Molotov are as follows:

• Slot 1: Main Armaments Modification 1
• Slot 2: Engine Room Protection
• Slot 3: AA Guns Modification 1
• Slot 4: Steering Gears Modification 1

Commander Skills

Recommended Commander Skills
Cost (points)	Attack				Defense
1	Grease the Gears +15% main battery traverse speed. ★★★	Swift Fish +5% torpedo speed.	Consumable Specialist −7.5% cooldown time of all Consumables except:  Damage Control Party   Repair Party . ★	Gun Feeder -40% time to switch shell type. ★★★	Incoming Fire Alert Receive a warning of a salvo fired at your ship from more than 4.5km. ★★★	Last Stand The ship remains able to move and maneuver - slowly - while the engine or steering gears are incapacitated.
2	Demolition Expert +1% chance of main and secondary HE shells causing a fire. +15% to the fragmentation damage area of HE ordnance fired at submarines. ★★★	Fill the Tubes -10% torpedo tubes reload time.	Consumables Enhancements +10% action time of Hydroacoustic Search, Surveillance Radar, Smoke Generator, & Engine Boost. ★	Eye in the Sky Spotting Aircraft: • +2 charges • -50% cooldown time.	Priority Target The detection indicator will show the number of enemies targeting you with main battery. ★	Focus Fire Training In an active priority AA sector: •  +1.5% (to 5%) immediate damage. •  +25% continuous damage. •  +1 flak burst per salvo. −10% aircraft preparation time. −15% reload time of Airstrike armament..
3	Heavy HE and SAP Shells +10% HE and SAP shell damage. +15% ship detectability guns 149mm and up. ★★★	Pack a Punch +15% torpedo damage. +20% secondary battery range..	Adrenaline Rush -0.2% reload time of all armaments per 1% HP lost +0.2% AA continuous damage per 1% HP lost. ★★★	Heavy AP Shells +5% damage for AP shells 190mm and larger. ★	Superintendent +1 charge to all consumables. ★★	Survivability Expert +450 HP per ship tier. ★★★
4	Top Grade Gunner -10% reload time of secondary batteries If enemy ship is spotted within detectability range, -8% reload time of main battery. ★★	Outnumbered If there are fewer allies than visible enemies within the ship's base main caliber firing range: +8% ship speed -10% main battery dispersion.	Radio Location Shows the direction to the nearest enemy ship. The enemy is alerted that a bearing has been taken..	Inertial Fuse for HE Shells +25% armor penetration of HE shells Base fire chance reduced by half.	Concealment Expert -10% detectability range of the ship. ★★★	AAA & ASW Expert +25% continuous AA and flak damage. +15% damage inflicted by depth charges. While AAA is active: −50% ship consumables reload time..
Key: ★★★ - Extremely Useful      ★★ - Frequently Useful      ★ - Occasionally Useful     No stars - Not Useful

Consumables

Molotov can equip the following consumables:

• Slot 1: Damage Control Party 
• Slot 2: Defensive AA Fire  or Hydroacoustic Search 

The a choice between Hydroacoustic Search  and Defensive AA Fire  will predominantly fall upon the captain’s preferred play-style, as both only confer situational benefit at best.

Camouflage

As a premium ship, Molotov comes with Default permanent camouflage and a set of permanent combat bonuses.

Signals

The choice of which signal flags to mount will confer to the individual preference of each captain, and are subject to great variation, although, some options will be highlighted. If captains wish to buff their primary artillery, they are encouraged to mount Victor Lima () and India X-Ray () to increase fire chance to HE shells, which will synergize well with Demolition Expert. Captains should mount India Yankee () to decrease time to extinguish fires, November Foxtrot () to decrease reload time of consumables, and Sierra Mike () to increase Molotov’s maximum speed.

Recommended Signal Flags
Combat
Charlie Kilo +5% ship HP; +2.5% squadron HP.	Juliet Yankee Bissotwo -20% to flooding duration.	India Yankee -20% to fire duration. ★	Hotel Yankee -20% to damage received when ramming the enemy. +50% to damage dealt when ramming the enemy.	Victor Lima +1% chance for HE bombs and shells with a caliber above 160mm causing a fire. +0.5% chance for bombs and smaller shells causing a fire. +4% chance of torpedoes causing flooding. ★★★	India X-Ray +1% chance for HE bombs and shells with a caliber above 160mm causing a fire. +0.5% chance for bombs and smaller shells causing a fire. ★★★
Juliet Whiskey Unaone +15% chance of causing flooding.	Mike Yankee Soxisix +5% to secondary battery maximum firing range. -5% to maximum dispersion of secondary battery shells. -5% to secondary battery loading time.	November Echo Setteseven +5% continuous AA damage at all ranges. +5% damage from flak bursts. ★	Sierra Mike +5% to the ship's maximum speed. ★★★	November Foxtrot -5% reload time on all consumables. ★	India Delta +20% to the amount of HP recovered when Repair Party  is used.
X-Ray Papa Unaone +10% action time of a Smoke Generator .	Sierra Bravo +10% action time of Hydroacoustic Search  -10% reload time of Defensive AA Fire .

Gallery

Historical Info

Molotov, 1941

Construction

Builder: Marti South; Nikolayev, Ukraine, USSR

Laid down: 14 January 1937

Launched: 4 December 1939

Commissioned: 14 June 1941

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Specifications

8,177tons displacement, standard

191.4m length

17.7m beam

6.3m draft

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Machinery

6 oil-fired boilers, 2 geared turbines

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Performance

36.72 knots at 129,750 shaft horsepower

4,220 nautical miles at 18 knots

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Armor

Main belt: 70mm main

Decks: 70mm main

Bulkheads: 70mm transverse

Conning tower: 150mm side, 100mm top

Barbettes and Turrets: 70mm barbette, 70mm face, 50mm side,
   50mm rear, 70mm roof

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Armament

Main

Nine (3x3) 180mm B-1-P rifles

Secondary

Six (6x1) 100mm B-34 dual-purpose guns

Anti-Aircraft

Nine (9x1) 45mm 21-K AA guns

Four (4x1) 12.7mm DShK AA machine guns

Torpedoes

Six (2x3) 533mm torpedo tubes

(Original configuration upon completion)

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Aircraft

2 Beriev Be-4 seaplanes, 1 ZK-1 catapult

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Complement

963 officers and enlisted (1941)

Design

Molotov is one of the two ships of the Project-26bis cruisers, themselves an upgraded version of the similar Project-26 cruisers; the first light cruisers designed by the still new Soviet Navy. The country, still mostly incapable of designing and building such large capital ships, sought foreign help. With the cooperation of the Italian Navy, the Soviets used the plans for the modern Raimondo Montecuccoli-class cruisers and the machinery plans of the later Duca d’Aosta-class cruisers in designing and building the Project-26 ships.

With construction of Kirov and Voroshilov underway, Soviet designers sought to update the design in order to keep the class competitive with rival navies, and more so to attempt to build the new ships without foreign influence.

Project-26bis cruisers had a newly designed forward superstructure, as sea trials proved that the previous design would conduct hull vibrations all the way up to where the fire-directing equipment was. A central-core design replaced the 4-legged design, which not only buffered the vibrations, but also improved the firing arcs of some of the Anti-aircraft weaponry, along with the superstructure change; the ships were given the latest fire-control systems, and Molotov in particular was the first Soviet ship to mount radar.

Armor improvement was another aspect of the design update. Being light cruisers, the armor would never be a strong suit, but being of an early 1930s design, the armor on the Project-26 cruisers was exceptionally light. To rectify this deficiency, the Project-26bis cruisers had improved belt armor, improved bulkhead armor, and as well as improved barbette armor of the internal turret infrastructure.

The Project-26bis cruisers were larger than their predecessors, having a larger draft and a double bottom hull; an arrangement that allowed for increased range. Coupled with an all-native power plant that could generate more power than before – about 16,000 shaft horsepower more – resulting in a trial speed very close to the design specifications of 37 knots, despite an increase of displacement of an approximate 300 tons.

Molotov was laid down at the Marti South, Nikolayev on 14 January 1937, and launched on 4 December 1939. After her sea trials, she was commissioned into the Navy on 14 June 1941.

Service

Commissioned only months before the start of Operation Barbarossa, from the onset, Molotov's wartime career would involve supporting the ground troops and the fighting around the Crimean peninsula. Due to her being one of the few Soviet ships that carried radar set, she was instrumental in the defense of Sevastopol and later Tuapse; she provided critical early air warning for the defenders of both cities. In November of 1941 she was relocated to Feodosia to bombard the ongoing German assault, and in December, she returned to Sevastopol to unload the 386th Rifle Brigade, and pick up wounded and refugees from the beleaguered city; the first months a reflection of the roles she will continue to play.

1942 commenced with Molotov assigned to bombardment duties in Feodosia and later the Kerch Peninsula to blunt the continued German offensives in those regions. Later during the spring and summer, Molotov made frequent trips to-and-from Sevastopol: unloading troops and picking up wounded. Her wartime contributions came to a halt when in August of 1942, her stern was blown off by torpedo bombers; the damage so severe she had to cannibalize parts from incomplete ships. With continued mounting losses to the Soviet Navy, Joseph Stalin forbade deployment of large capital warships unless absolutely necessary.

Her postwar career commenced with the completion of her repair work of the damage she sustained during the war, and soon after was sent back for modernization in the early 1950s; she was refit with a plethora of different radar systems - along with improved AA guns and mounts - as she was assigned as a test-bed for the new radar gear. Her only action of note was her participation in the rescue of the crew of the battleship Novorossiysk after the latter exploded and sank. She spent the final years of her life as a training cruiser, until she was scrapped in 1972.

Historical Gallery

• 
  Side view of Molotov.
• 
  Molotov firing.

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References

1. Soviet cruiser Molotov - Wikipedia
2. Kirov-class cruiser - Wikipedia
3. Armada: Molotov (no video) - News - World of Warships
4. Premium Ship Spotlight: Molotov - News - World of Warships
5. Squall Line: The Molotov's Merits - News - World of Warships

Ship Change Log

• Available for testing by supertesters in the game starting from Update 0.5.4.2.
• Added to the store in Update 0.5.5.
• Update 0.5.6:

• AA defenses were slightly improved.
• Four 37mm 70-K AA mounts were added on top of her second and third main turrets. As a result, her average AA damage within the 3.2km (previously 2km) AA engagement area radius increased by 22 points (from 46 to 68 points).

• • Added for sale for doubloons directly in the game client (before it was only available in the Premium store).
• Update 0.5.10:
  • Added rotation of the Redut-K antenna.
• Update 0.5.7:
  • Fixed a bug due to which in some cases the skill "Manual control of air defense fire" did not work.
• Update 0.6.1:
  • Improved appearance with the use of special technology for improved rendering of thin elements (mainly rigging).
• Update 0.6.12:
  • Detectability when firing main guns in smoke changed to 7.12 km.
• Update 0.6.13:
  • Fire extinguishing time now 30 s instead of 60 s.
  • Improved display of thin elements.
• Update 0.6.15:
  • A bonus was added to the "Type 10" permanent camouflage - a 10% discount to the cost of post-battle maintenance.
• Update 0.7.10:
  • The range of the Hydroacoustic Search consumable was unified - 4 km for detecting ships, 3 km for detecting torpedoes.
• Update 0.9.2:
  • HE shell armor penetration increased from 29 mm to 30 mm.
• Update 0.9.6:
  • The value of the in-game turning circle radius was changed to 860 m to correct prior discrepancy.
• Update 0.10.0:
  • The firing range of the secondary battery was increased to 4.95 km.

Ships of U.S.S.R.

Cruisers