War Thunder is preparing to introduce the formidable Japanese frigate Shisaka as the main reward in its upcoming “Naples of the East” event. This coastal warship packs a serious punch with heavy artillery and an arsenal designed to make light vessels regret ever crossing its path. Why should you care? Because if you enjoy naval battles and want a strong new addition to your fleet, Shisaka might be your next favorite ship.
Meet Shisaka: A Coastal Beast
Shisaka is a Rank V Japanese Kaibokan-class frigate armed with three 120mm main guns and sixteen 25 mm cannons. It also comes loaded with a hefty number of depth charges. Not exactly a speed demon, it moves at just 36 km/h in realistic battles and a bit over 50 km/h in arcade mode. That’s slow enough to make you think twice when fast torpedo boats zoom by, but don’t underestimate its staying power and firepower.
Historical Roots
The ship was laid down in August 1944 and completed by the end of that year. Initially patrolling near Tokyo Bay during World War II, it was decommissioned after the war and transferred to the Republic of China, where it was renamed Huian. The ship later joined the People’s Liberation Army Navy after being captured, only to be sunk in 1949 by B-24 bombers. Raised and repaired in 1953, it served in the PLA fleet until 1990. By then, it was one of the oldest active ships and one of just three surviving Imperial Japanese Navy vessels.
Armament and Combat Role
- Main guns: Three 120mm guns in two mounts, firing high-explosive shells with contact or timed fuses. Effective against vessels up to light cruiser class.
- Anti-boat defense: Sixteen 25 mm automatic cannons, with ten barrels on each side capable of targeting surface threats. These cannons also provide short-range anti-aircraft support.
- Depth charges: Equipped with six mortars and two stern ramps for deploying 160 kg charges, useful in close-range anti-submarine warfare.
Shisaka’s arsenal makes it a versatile threat for controlling coastal waters, able to defend points and keep pesky small boats at bay with a barrage of automatic fire. Its slower speed means you’ll have to stay alert, but its survivability and weapon range give it a solid edge in many situations.
How to Get Shisaka
The upcoming “Naples of the East” event will let players earn this frigate by completing event tasks. It’s a free reward, so it’s worth jumping in and trying to claim it for your Japanese naval lineup. Just a heads-up: the developers might tweak Shisaka’s stats before officially adding it to the game, so expect some minor changes.
Want to know more about the event? Check out the details here.
So what do you think? Will Shisaka be a worthy sister to the already feared Syonan? Can it hold its own despite the slow speed? I’m curious to see how players will use this ship once it’s in the wild. Feel free to jump into the comments and share your thoughts or plans for this new frigate.
