Torpedo Types in World of Warships: A Beginner's Guide

Hey there, fellow captains! Today I want to talk about something that changed my gameplay completely when I first figured it out – torpedoes! When I started playing World of Warships, I used to launch these underwater missiles randomly, hoping they'd hit something. Boy, was I doing it wrong!

In this guide, I'll walk you through the different torpedo types in World of Warships, when to use them, and how they can turn the tide of battle. I remember being confused about why some torpedoes seemed to work better than others, so I'm writing the guide I wish I had when I started playing.

Why Torpedoes Matter

Before diving into the different types, let's talk about why torpedoes are so important. Unlike shells from your guns, torpedoes can deal massive damage in a single hit – often enough to sink a full-health cruiser or seriously hurt a battleship. When I landed my first devastating torpedo strike, I was hooked!

Torpedoes are all about prediction and strategy. You're not just aiming at where the enemy is now, but where they'll be in 30 seconds or more. It's like chess on water!

Basic Torpedo Stats You Need to Know

When comparing torpedo types, here are the key stats you should look at:

• Damage: How much hurt they put on enemy ships
• Range: How far they can travel
• Speed: How quickly they reach their target
• Detection Range: How close they need to be before enemies can see them
• Reload Time: How long before you can launch another spread

Now let's get into the different torpedo types and when to use them!

Deep-Water Torpedoes: The Submarine Hunters

What They Are

Deep-water torpedoes are special torpedoes that run deeper underwater than standard ones. The biggest thing to know: they can't hit destroyers! They only hit cruisers, battleships, and aircraft carriers.

When to Use Them

I love using deep-water torpedoes when:

• I'm facing lots of big ships and not many destroyers
• I need to stay hidden (these have smaller detection ranges)
• I'm playing Pan-Asian destroyers like the Siliwangi or Hsienyang

Pros

• Harder for enemies to spot (smaller detection range)
• Usually have better range than standard torpedoes
• Great for surprising cruisers and battleships

Cons

• Can't hit destroyers at all
• Less flexibility in target selection

My Personal Experience

The first time I used deep-water torpedoes on my Siliwangi, I was confused when my perfect aim against an enemy destroyer did nothing! After reading about them, I changed my strategy to hunt bigger ships, and suddenly I was causing massive damage while staying hidden. They're perfect for players who want to focus on taking down bigger threats.

Standard Torpedoes: The Reliable Workhorses

What They Are

These are your bread-and-butter torpedoes equipped on most nations' ships. They can hit any surface target and strike a balance between range, detection, and damage.

When to Use Them

Standard torpedoes are perfect when:

• You need versatility to hit any type of ship
• You're still learning the game
• You're playing nations like Japan, US, or Germany

Pros

• Can hit any surface ship
• Generally good all-around balance of stats
• Available on most destroyer lines

Cons

• Usually have larger detection ranges than deep-water torpedoes
• May have less range or damage than specialized types

My Personal Experience

I learned the game using the Japanese destroyer line with their standard torpedoes. The Fubuki-class destroyers taught me torpedo gameplay basics – how to lead targets, when to launch, and when to hold back. They're forgiving for beginners but still effective in experienced hands.

Fast Torpedoes: The Surprise Attack

What They Are

As the name suggests, these torpedoes sacrifice some damage or range for incredible speed. Ships like the French destroyers or the British cruisers often carry these quick-moving fish.

When to Use Them

Fast torpedoes shine when:

• You need to hit agile targets
• Your target doesn't have much time to react
• You're in close-quarters combat
• You're playing ships like the French Le Fantasque or British Edinburgh

Pros

• Less time for enemies to dodge
• Better for hitting nimble targets
• Great for reactive, ambush-style play

Cons

• Usually have shorter range
• Often deal less damage per hit
• Can be less stealthy

My Personal Experience

When I switched to the French destroyer line, the fast torpedoes completely changed my approach. Instead of launching from maximum range and hoping, I could wait until closer, launch, and watch enemies panic as torpedoes closed the distance in seconds. They're perfect for aggressive players who don't want to wait around.

Long-Range Torpedoes: The Area Denial Masters

What They Are

These torpedoes focus on extreme range at the cost of speed or detection. The Japanese torpedo destroyers specialize in these, particularly at higher tiers.

When to Use Them

Long-range torpedoes are perfect when:

• You want to attack from extreme safety
• You're controlling chokepoints or narrow passages
• You're playing ships like the Shimakaze or Yūgumo

Pros

• Launch from outside enemy detection range
• Great for area denial and zoning
• Can hit enemies who think they're safe

Cons

• Slower speed gives targets more time to dodge
• Often have bigger detection ranges
• Require more prediction and map awareness

My Personal Experience

The first time I used the 20km torpedoes on the Shimakaze, I was launching them from so far away that I couldn't even see where they landed! With practice, I learned to predict enemy movements and use these as area denial weapons. There's nothing more satisfying than getting a hit notification from torpedoes you launched a minute ago!

High-Damage Torpedoes: The Heavy Hitters

What They Are

These torpedoes focus on maximum damage potential, often at the expense of speed or detection. Japanese and some Soviet torpedoes fall into this category.

When to Use Them

High-damage torpedoes are best when:

• You're targeting battleships or other heavily armored targets
• You can ensure hits with careful positioning
• You're playing ships like the Japanese Shimakaze or the Soviet Khabarovsk

Pros

• Devastating damage per hit
• Can often sink cruisers with a single torpedo
• Great psychological weapon that makes enemies cautious

Cons

• Usually slower or more detectable
• Miss hurts more due to longer reload times
• Overkill for destroyers

My Personal Experience

When I first landed a full spread of high-damage torpedoes from my Shimakaze on an enemy battleship and watched it disappear, I understood their power. These aren't for spraying and praying – each torpedo is precious due to long reload times, but the results are worth it when you connect.

Stealthy Torpedoes: The Silent Killers

What They Are

These torpedoes prioritize small detection ranges over other stats. They give enemy ships minimal reaction time once spotted. Black ships and certain premium ships often feature these.

When to Use Them

Stealthy torpedoes excel when:

• You want to ensure hits even against alert opponents
• You're playing in higher-skill matches where enemies actively dodge
• You're using ships like the Asashio or Black

Pros

• Enemy has little time to react once torpedoes are spotted
• More reliable hits against skilled players
• Great for surprise attacks

Cons

• Usually shorter range or slower speed
• Often found on premium ships not available to all players
• May have longer reload times

My Personal Experience

The first time I encountered stealthy torpedoes from an enemy Black destroyer, I barely had time to react before they hit my cruiser. When I later got my own ship with these torpedoes, I noticed even experienced players struggle to dodge them. They're perfect for players who value reliability over raw stats.

Situational Use Guide: Picking the Right Torpedo for the Job

Now that we know the types, let's talk about when to use each one in different situations you'll face:

Situation: Open Water Battle

In open water with lots of maneuver room:

• Best choice: Fast torpedoes or Long-range torpedoes
• Why: Fast torpedoes give less reaction time in open water, while long-range ones let you stay safe while launching
• Ships to use: Le Fantasque (French) for fast, Shimakaze (Japanese) for long-range

Situation: Narrow Passage or Island Chains

When fighting near islands or in channels:

• Best choice: Stealthy torpedoes or Standard torpedoes
• Why: In tight spaces, stealth matters more than range, and standard torpedoes offer good versatility
• Ships to use: Black (US Premium) for stealth, Kagero (Japanese) for good standard torpedoes

Situation: Facing Multiple Battleships

When the enemy team is battleship-heavy:

• Best choice: Deep-water torpedoes or High-damage torpedoes
• Why: Deep-water torpedoes are harder to spot, and high-damage ones can devastate battleships
• Ships to use: Siliwangi (Pan-Asian) for deep-water, Shimakaze (Japanese) for high damage

Situation: Destroyer-Heavy Enemy Team

When facing lots of small, nimble ships:

• Best choice: Fast torpedoes or Standard torpedoes
• Why: Speed helps hit agile targets, and deep-water torpedoes won't hit destroyers at all
• Ships to use: Halland (European) for fast, reliable torpedoes

Situation: Defensive Play

When you need to protect yourself or teammates:

• Best choice: Fast torpedoes or Stealthy torpedoes
• Why: Quick reaction time is crucial when playing defensively
• Ships to use: Daring (British) for quick-reload defensive torpedoes

Common Torpedo Mistakes to Avoid

In my years of playing, I've made plenty of torpedo mistakes. Here are some common ones to avoid:

1. Torpedoing from maximum range all the time: Sometimes closer launches with better angles are more effective
2. Forgetting about friendly fire: Yes, your torpedoes can hit teammates! Always check your firing lane
3. Launching all torpedoes in a tight spread: Sometimes staggering or widening your spread increases hit chance
4. Using deep-water torpedoes against destroyer-heavy teams: Remember they can't hit destroyers!
5. Ignoring torpedo reload boosters: Some ships have this consumable that can give you a surprise second salvo

Nation-Specific Torpedo Characteristics

Different nations in World of Warships tend to specialize in different torpedo types:

Japanese Torpedoes

• Known for: Long range and high damage
• Best for: Stealth attacks from distance, area denial
• Famous ships: Shimakaze, Yūgumo, Asashio

US Torpedoes

• Known for: Balanced stats, faster reload on some ships
• Best for: Versatility and consistent performance
• Famous ships: Fletcher, Gearing, Somers

German Torpedoes

• Known for: Good damage and speed balance
• Best for: Aggressive plays and medium-range combat
• Famous ships: Z-52, Z-46, Elbing

Pan-Asian Torpedoes

• Known for: Deep-water torpedoes with good stealth
• Best for: Hunting cruisers and battleships
• Famous ships: Siliwangi, Hsienyang, Yueyang

British Torpedoes

• Known for: Single-launch capability on destroyers
• Best for: Precision strikes and flexibility
• Famous ships: Daring, Jutland, Lightning

European Torpedoes

• Known for: Very fast torpedoes with quick reload
• Best for: Reliable hits against agile targets
• Famous ships: Halland, Småland, Öland

Soviet Torpedoes

• Known for: Shorter range but powerful
• Best for: Close-range ambushes
• Famous ships: Khabarovsk, Grozovoi, Kléber

Advanced Torpedo Tactics

Once you've mastered the basics, try these advanced tactics:

Predictive Launching

Launch torpedoes based on where you think enemies will be, not where they are now. Watch enemy movement patterns and anticipate their course.

Cross-Dropping

Used mainly against aircraft carriers or slow battleships, launch torpedoes from different angles to create an unavoidable crossfire.

Torpedo Walls

With ships that have many torpedo launchers or quick reloads (like some Japanese destroyers), create massive "walls" of torpedoes that are difficult to dodge completely.

Bait and Ambush

Act damaged or vulnerable to entice enemies to chase you, then lead them into your waiting torpedoes.

Final Thoughts: Finding Your Torpedo Style

After trying different torpedo types, you'll likely find some match your playstyle better than others. I personally prefer the balanced approach of mid-range Japanese torpedoes, but you might enjoy the rapid-fire European torpedoes or the stealth approach of Pan-Asian deep-water torpedoes.

Remember that no torpedo type is universally "best" – they're tools for different situations. As you gain experience, you'll develop an instinct for when to use each type.

The most satisfying moment in World of Warships is watching your perfectly predicted torpedo spread strike home against an enemy who thought they were safe. With the knowledge from this guide, you'll be racking up those devastating strikes in no time!

Happy hunting and may your torpedoes always find their mark!

Did you find this guide helpful? Let me know in the comments which torpedo type works best for your playstyle!