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If you just started Azur Lane, you might wonder what gear works best for your ships. You want to pick solid equipment early so your fleet can hit harder and survive longer. Good gear makes your ships much stronger and helps you clear stages faster. Upgrading the right items saves you gold and materials. Think of this as your Beginner's Guide to making smart choices—so you don't waste resources on weak equipment.

Why Equipment Matters

Combat Impact

Some people think ships win just by being strong. But equipment can make a huge difference. The right gear can make a normal ship much better. If you use better guns, torpedoes, or planes, your ships hit harder and last longer. Some ships get special boosts from certain equipment. For example, Monarch heals more, and Ibuki dodges attacks better when she uses torpedoes.

Here is how equipment helps different ships:

Equipment does more than just add stats. It can unlock new skills and help ships do better in fights. If you want your fleet to win hard battles, you need to pick the right gear.

Tip: Try switching gear between ships to see who gets the most out of it. Some ships do much better with certain setups!

Progression Benefits

Good equipment helps you finish stages faster and lose fewer ships. When your ships have strong gear, you spend less oil and gold fixing them. You also get more rewards because you can beat harder maps. As you go further, you unlock better blueprints and tech boxes. This means you can get even stronger gear for your fleet.

Here are some ways equipment helps you move forward:

• Faster clears: Stronger weapons beat enemies quickly.

• Less damage taken: Better armor and auxiliaries keep ships safe.

• Unlock new content: High-level gear lets you try harder events and bosses.

• Save resources: Fewer repairs mean you keep more gold for upgrades.

If you upgrade the right equipment, your whole fleet gets stronger. This gives you a big boost as you play Azur Lane.

Beginner's Guide: Equipment Basics

Equipment Types

When you first start Azur Lane, you might feel confused by all the gear options. This Beginner's Guide will help you understand the main types of equipment you will see. Each type has a special job. Some boost your firepower, while others help your ships survive longer.

Here are the main categories of equipment and what they do:

You will use these categories a lot as you play. Tech Boxes are great for beginners because you can get them early and often. Blueprints from maps and research help you craft better gear as you progress.

Tip: Try to save your best gear for your main fleet. You can always swap equipment between ships before a tough battle.

How to Get Gear

You have many ways to collect gear in Azur Lane. This Beginner's Guide will show you the most common methods:

• Open Tech Boxes: You earn these from missions, commissions, and daily logins. Open them for a chance at new equipment.

• Farm Maps: Play campaign stages to get blueprints. When you collect enough, you can craft new gear.

• Complete Research: Use the research lab to unlock special blueprints. These often lead to unique or powerful equipment.

• Visit the Core Data Shop: Spend Core Data, which you earn from events, to buy high-rarity gear.

You do not need to rush. Take your time and focus on getting gear that fits your fleet. Remember, the right equipment can make your ships much stronger. This Beginner's Guide will help you make smart choices as you build your collection.

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Ship Types and Gear

Choosing the right equipment for each ship type can make your fleet much stronger. You want to match gear to your ships so they perform their best in battle. Let’s break down what works for each class.

Destroyers

Destroyers move fast and hit hard with torpedoes. You want to boost their damage and keep them alive. The best guns and torpedoes help them clear waves and dodge attacks.

Here’s a quick look at top gear for destroyers:

You should focus on upgrading torpedoes first. Destroyers rely on them for big damage. If you get the QF 2-pounder Pom-Pom, your destroyers will shoot down planes and deal more damage. Try swapping gear between ships to see who gets the biggest boost.

Tip: If you’re not sure which destroyer to gear up, start with your favorites or the ones you use most in your main fleet.

Cruisers

Cruisers sit in the middle line and support your fleet with steady firepower. You want to pick guns that match their role—heavy cruisers need strong main guns, while light cruisers do better with fast-firing weapons.

Check out these top picks for cruisers:

You want to match the gun to the cruiser type. Heavy cruisers need big guns for boss fights. Light cruisers do better with fast, accurate guns. Try out different setups and see which ones help your fleet the most.

Battleships

Battleships bring heavy firepower to your frontline. You want to give them main guns with high damage and good range. Battleships also benefit from strong secondary guns and good auxiliary gear.

Here’s what you should look for:

• Main Guns: Pick guns with high base damage and fast reload. Try the Triple 406mm or the Prototype 457mm if you have them.

• Secondary Guns: Use high AA guns to help shoot down enemy planes.

• Auxiliaries: Equip repair tools or fire control radars to boost survivability and accuracy.

Battleships can turn the tide in tough battles. If you upgrade their main guns first, you’ll see a big jump in damage.

Note: Battleships need strong gear to shine. Don’t forget to swap out old guns as you get better ones.

Carriers

Carriers launch planes and support your fleet from the backline. You want to equip them with the best aircraft and support gear. Some carriers do better in boss fights, while others help clear waves.

Here’s a table showing what works best:

You should focus on planes with high damage and fast launch times. Equip carriers with auxiliary gear like steam catapults or aviation radars to boost their stats. Try different setups to see which ones help you clear stages faster.

Submarines

Submarines sneak behind enemy lines and deal huge torpedo damage. You want to give them gear that boosts their torpedo power and keeps them underwater longer.

Here’s a table of top submarine gear:

You want to upgrade torpedo weapons first. Submarines do their best work with strong torpedoes and good auxiliary gear. If you get the Type 93 Pure Oxygen Torpedo, your subs will hit much harder.

Tip: Submarines help a lot in boss fights. Gear them up when you need extra damage against tough enemies.

This part of the Beginner's Guide from Bahomu helps you match the right gear to each ship type. Try out different setups and see what works best for your fleet. You’ll notice your ships getting stronger and battles getting easier.

Weapons to Use

Main Guns

Main guns are the backbone of your fleet’s firepower. Battleships and cruisers rely on these to deal heavy damage. You want to look for guns with high base damage and good reload speed. For battleships, try the Triple 406mm or Prototype 457mm if you get them. These guns hit hard and help you clear tough bosses. Cruisers do well with the 203mm SKC Triple Gun or the 150mm TbtsK C/36 Twin Gun. These options give you a nice balance of power and speed.

Tip: Upgrade your main guns as soon as you get better ones. Swapping out old guns can give your ships a big boost.

Torpedoes

Torpedoes pack a punch, especially on destroyers and some cruisers. You want to use the best torpedo launchers you can find. Experienced players often pick these models:

• 610mm Quadruple Torpedo Mounts for destroyers like Shimakaze and Shigure. These give high burst damage, great for boss fights.

• 533mm Quad Homing Launchers and rainbow-rarity 533mm Quintuple Homing Torpedo Launchers. These work well for both destroyers and cruisers.

• Gold quad magnetic torpedoes are top picks for boss battles because they deal huge damage to heavy armor enemies.

Torpedo destroyers shine when you need to take down tough foes fast. Try different torpedo types and see which ones help your fleet the most.

Planes

Carriers use planes to attack from a distance. You want to equip them with the best fighters, dive bombers, and torpedo bombers you can get. Look for planes with high damage and fast launch times. The Barracuda and Wyvern are strong picks if you find them. Fighters like the Sea Hornet help shoot down enemy planes and keep your fleet safe.

Note: Always check your carrier’s stats. Some ships do better with certain plane types, so mix and match to find the best combo.

Auxiliaries and Early Gear

Must-Have Auxiliaries

Auxiliary gear gives your ships extra stats and special effects. You want to grab the best ones early because they help your fleet survive and perform better. Some gear boosts evasion, while others increase health or reload speed. You can mix and match auxiliaries to fit your ships’ needs.

Here are some must-have auxiliaries you should look for:

• Hydraulic Steering Gear: This gear boosts your ship’s evasion. You want at least two before you leave chapter 2. Your ships dodge more attacks and stay alive longer.

• Naval Camouflage: This item helps your ships avoid damage. You can find it in chapter 2-1 and 2-2. Try to get two for your main fleet.

• Double Toolkits: These maximize survivability for destroyers. If you run two toolkits, your destroyers can take more hits.

• SG Radar / Autoloader: These boost accuracy and reload. You want one or two for your main ships until you reach world 6.

💡 Tip: If you’re not sure which auxiliary to use, pick the ones that help your ships survive. Staying alive means more wins!

Early Game Choices

You don’t need fancy gear to get started. Some early game equipment works great and costs less to upgrade. You want to focus on gear that helps you clear stages and save resources.

Check out this table for cost-effective early game gear:

You want to collect these items as you play through the early chapters. They help your ships stay alive and deal more damage. You don’t need to upgrade everything right away. Focus on gear that gives the biggest boost for the least cost.

🛠️ Note: Swap gear between ships to see what works best. You can always upgrade or replace gear as you find better options.

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Upgrade Priorities

Upgrading your gear in Azur Lane can feel overwhelming at first. You want to make every resource count and avoid wasting materials on the wrong equipment. Let’s break down what you should upgrade first and how to manage your resources like a pro.

What to Upgrade First

When you look at your equipment list, you might wonder where to start. Not all gear deserves your hard-earned upgrade parts. You want to focus on items that give your fleet the biggest boost. Here are some strategies that the community on the Azur Lane subreddit often discusses:

• Enhance gray (common) gears early: These are cheap to upgrade and help you clear early chapters. Don’t invest too much, but a few upgrades can make a difference.

• Save your tech boxes: Open them when you need better gear. Sometimes, waiting gives you a chance at higher rarity equipment.

• Prioritize T3 Skill Books and T4 Upgrade Parts: These items are rare and powerful. Use them on your best ships and top-tier gear.

You should always match your upgrades to your ship’s class and role. For example, destroyers love high damage or fast-firing guns, while battleships need heavy-hitting main guns. Check out this table for a quick guide:

🛠️ Tip: Upgrade your main guns and torpedoes first. These give the biggest power boost for most ships.

You also want to be careful with Gear Lab upgrades. Materials for these upgrades are limited, so pick only the best gear to enhance. Don’t rush to upgrade every new item you find. Focus on equipment that will stay useful as you progress.

Resource Management

Smart resource management keeps your fleet strong without running out of gold or upgrade parts. You want to stretch your resources as far as possible. Here are some strategies that work well for new players:

• Use low-cost fleets: Pick ships that use less oil for grinding missions. This saves oil for harder battles and events.

• Upgrade rare ships first: Rare ships give you more value for your upgrades. Avoid spending too many resources on common ships or low-tier gear.

• Save your gems: Gems are premium currency. Use them for important upgrades, like dock space or extra dorm slots, instead of buying resources you can earn in-game.

Here’s a table to help you remember these strategies:

💡 Note: Always check if an upgrade is worth the cost. Sometimes, waiting for better gear or saving resources pays off in the long run.

If you follow these tips from this Beginner's Guide, you’ll find it much easier to keep your fleet strong and ready for any challenge. Upgrade wisely, manage your resources, and you’ll see your ships grow stronger every day.

Common Mistakes

Over-Upgrading

It’s easy to get excited and start upgrading every piece of gear you find. You might think, “If I make everything stronger, my fleet will crush the enemy!” But that’s not how Azur Lane works. Many new players waste gold and upgrade parts on low-tier or common gear. These items help you in the very early stages, but you will replace them quickly as you get better equipment.

Here’s what happens if you over-upgrade low-tier gear:

• You run out of upgrade parts fast.

• You spend too much gold on items you will soon throw away.

• Your best ships end up stuck with weak gear because you can’t afford to upgrade the good stuff.

💡 Tip: Only upgrade gear you plan to use for a long time. Save your resources for purple (elite) or gold (super rare) equipment. If you’re not sure, check if the gear is still helping your main fleet. If not, hold off on upgrades.

Ignoring Ship Needs

Not every ship wants the same equipment. If you give all your ships the same guns or auxiliaries, some will perform poorly. Each ship has its own strengths and weaknesses. You want to match gear to what each ship does best.

Here’s why matching equipment to ship needs matters:

• Each piece of equipment offers unique buffs and skills that enhance a ship's capabilities.

• Proper equipment can increase vital stats like HP, evasion, or firepower.

• Neglecting specific ship needs can lead to poor performance and increased vulnerability in battles.

For example, destroyers love torpedoes and evasion gear. Battleships want heavy main guns and accuracy boosts. Carriers need strong planes and aviation support. If you ignore these needs, your ships might take more damage or deal less to the enemy.

🚩 Note: Always check what your ship excels at. Read their skills and stats. Try different gear setups and see what works best. Your fleet will thank you!

Farming and Progression

Farming Stages

If you want to make your fleet stronger, you need to farm the right stages. Farming means playing certain maps over and over to get gear, ships, and gold. You don’t have to guess where to start. Here’s a simple list to help you pick the best stages for farming:

1. Before Chapter 9: Play the highest stage you can clear safely.

2. Before Chapter 11: Try stage 9-1.

3. In Chapter 11: Go for stage 11-1.

4. After Chapter 11: Move up to stage 12-1 or higher.

You get better rewards as you reach higher chapters. Stages 12-1 and above give you a chance to find Cognitive Chips and Augmentation Materials. These items help you upgrade your ships and gear. Chapter 12 is also great for grabbing T1 Upgrade Parts. If you focus on these stages, you’ll see your fleet grow faster.

💡 Tip: Don’t push too hard if your ships struggle. Stick to the highest stage you can clear without losing ships. You’ll save oil and gold that way.

Event Gear

Events in Azur Lane give you special chances to earn powerful equipment. You don’t want to miss these limited-time rewards. Some events let you collect blueprints for unique gear and ships. If you see an event with blueprint rewards, make it your goal to grab as many as you can.

Here’s a quick table showing a blueprint you should watch for:

Event gear often gives your fleet a big boost. You can use these blueprints to craft rare equipment or unlock new ships. Always check the event shop and missions for gear you can earn. If you focus on event rewards, you’ll build a stronger fleet without spending extra resources.

🚀 Note: Event gear and blueprints are some of the best upgrades for beginners. Don’t skip them!

Quick Reference

Gear by Ship Type

Picking the right gear for each ship type can feel tricky at first. You want your ships to hit hard and stay safe. Here’s a quick guide to help you match gear to your fleet:

• Light Cruisers (CL): Look for guns with high damage stats. Don’t worry too much about fire rate. Damage matters most for these ships.

• Heavy Cruisers (CA): Focus on guns with strong damage and the right ammo type. Some ammo works better against certain enemies.

• Destroyers (DD): Decide if you want high damage or fast fire rate. Some destroyers do better with quick shots, while others need big hits.

• Battleships (BB): Choose main guns that deal steady damage over time. Ammo type can make a big difference in tough fights.

• Carriers (CV/CVL): Use planes with high damage and quick launch times. Mix fighters, dive bombers, and torpedo bombers for the best results.

• Submarines (SS): Equip torpedoes that pack a punch. Add gear that helps them stay underwater longer.

💡 Tip: Try swapping gear between ships. You might find a setup that works even better for your fleet!

Upgrade Checklist

Want to keep your upgrades on track? Use this simple checklist to make sure you’re getting the most out of your resources:

1. Upgrade main guns and torpedoes for your main fleet first.

2. Focus on purple (elite) or gold (super rare) gear.

3. Enhance gray (common) gear only if you need a quick boost early on.

4. Save your best auxiliaries for ships that need extra survivability or accuracy.

5. Don’t spend upgrade parts on gear you plan to replace soon.

6. Check event shops for limited-time blueprints and gear.

7. Always match gear to the ship’s role and strengths.

🛠️ Note: If you’re not sure about an upgrade, wait until you get better gear. Patience saves you gold and upgrade parts!

Beginner's Guide: Tips

Efficient Upgrades

You want your upgrades to count. If you follow a few smart habits, you can make your fleet stronger without wasting resources. Here are some tips that experienced Azur Lane players use every day:

• Build a balanced fleet. Each ship type brings something special to the fight. Try to understand what each ship does best.

• Manage your resources daily. Keep an eye on your wisdom cubes and upgrade parts. These are key for getting new ships and improving gear.

• Set up different fleets for different jobs. Use one fleet for commissions, another for story missions, and a third for daily operations.

• Take part in daily operations. These give you extra experience and rewards. They only last for a short time, so don’t miss them.

If you want to enhance your shipgirls, use low-rank shipgirls as materials. This boosts your main stats without using up rare ships. For equipment upgrades, gather parts by finishing missions and daily tasks. You will see steady progress if you keep at it.

💡 Try to upgrade gear that matches your main fleet’s needs. Small, smart upgrades add up fast.

Avoiding Pitfalls

Many new players fall into the same traps when they start upgrading gear. You can avoid these mistakes by paying attention to a few key points. Check out this table of common pitfalls and how to dodge them:

You want to match each piece of gear to the right ship. Don’t forget about auxiliaries like radars and repair tools. These can make a big difference in tough battles. If you follow the advice in this Beginner's Guide, you will avoid common mistakes and build a fleet that can handle any challenge.

You now know how smart equipment choices and upgrade priorities can make your fleet shine. Use the quick reference tables and checklists to keep your upgrades on track. Careful planning helps you save resources and enjoy the game more.

Remember: Every strong fleet starts with good decisions. Take your time, follow this Beginner's Guide, and watch your ships grow stronger!

• Use the right gear for each ship.

• Upgrade wisely.

• Have fun as you progress!

FAQ

What equipment should I upgrade first?

You want to upgrade your main guns and torpedoes first. Focus on purple or gold gear. These give your ships the biggest boost. Save your upgrade parts for equipment you plan to use for a long time.

How do I get better equipment in Azur Lane?

You can open tech boxes, farm campaign maps, and join events. Research in the lab also gives you blueprints for rare gear. Always check the event shop for special items.

Should I upgrade all my gear right away?

No, you should not. Only upgrade gear you plan to keep. If you upgrade everything, you will run out of gold and parts fast. Wait for better equipment before spending resources.

Can I swap equipment between ships?

Yes! You can move gear between ships anytime. Tap the equipment slot, then select the gear you want. Swapping helps you use your best gear for tough battles.

What do the colors of equipment mean?

Equipment comes in different colors. Here’s a quick guide:

Tip: Gold and purple gear are the best for upgrades!