Azur Lane: Best Fleet Setup for W14 & W15
You can boost your clear rates in W14 and W15 by using the Best Fleet Setup. For W14, bring a strong boss fleet with healers and equip the 533mm Mk35 torpedo for better anti-submarine warfare. In W15, support fighters play a key role in handling air threats. The table below shows how different fleet setups affect your success:
|
Fleet Setup Option |
Description |
Impact on Clear Rates |
|---|---|---|
|
Option A |
Strong boss fleet fights first and third bosses, using healers for support. |
Increases chances of successful clears against tougher bosses. |
|
Option B |
Strong mob fleet handles all mobs, allowing boss fleet to focus on easier bosses. |
Most consistent strategy for achieving three stars on lethal threat level. |
You will also find alternative and budget fleet options.
Best Fleet Setup for W14 & W15
Choosing the Best Fleet Setup for W14 and W15 helps you clear these chapters with less trouble. You need to pick ships that can survive tough fights and deal high damage. Many players in the community agree on certain ships and strategies. Below, you will find the top choices for both the vanguard and main fleet, along with reasons why these ships work so well.
Vanguard Choices
Your vanguard fleet faces most of the enemy attacks. You want ships that can tank damage, dodge attacks, and deal steady damage. The table below shows the top-performing vanguard ships based on recent tier lists and community polls:
|
Tier |
Ship Name |
|---|---|
|
X |
Alsace |
|
X |
Bismarck Zwei |
|
X |
Friedrich der Große |
|
X |
Kearsarge |
|
X |
Lion |
|
X |
Mecklenburg |
|
0 |
BLACK★ROCK SHOOTER |
|
0 |
Constellation |
|
1 |
Akane Shinjo |
|
1 |
Amagi |
|
1 |
Andrea Doria META |
|
1 |
Brünhilde |
|
1 |
Clemenceau |
|
1 |
Colorado |
|
1 |
Duke of York |
|
1 |
Gneisenau META |
|
1 |
Hiei META |
|
1 |
Hood |
|
1 |
Howe |
|
1 |
Indiana |
|
1 |
Kansas |
|
1 |
Kazan |
|
1 |
Maryland |
|
1 |
Masséna |
|
1 |
Nelson |
|
1 |
Patricia Abelheim |
|
1 |
Queen Elizabeth META |
|
1 |
Repulse META |
|
1 |
Richelieu |
|
1 |
Rodney META |
|
1 |
Seydlitz |
|
1 |
Sovetskaya Belorussiya |
|
1 |
Strasbourg |
|
1 |
The 2nd |
|
1 |
Vittorio Veneto |
|
1 |
West Virginia |
You can see that ships like Alsace, Bismarck Zwei, and Friedrich der Große stand out in the top tier. These ships have strong skills and high stats. They help your fleet survive longer and deal more damage. Many players also use Agir and Anchorage for tanking, while Amagi gives extra defense. If you want the Best Fleet Setup, try to include at least one top-tier vanguard ship.
Tip: Mix one tanky ship with two damage dealers in your vanguard. This balance helps you clear both mob and boss fleets.
Main Fleet Choices
The main fleet provides heavy firepower and support. You want ships that can hit hard and keep your team alive. Community guides and polls often recommend these ships for W14 and W15:
-
New Jersey and Shinano give high damage, especially when you pair them with Shimakaze. This combo works well against elite command battleships.
-
Musashi protects your backline from ramming and draws enemy fire. She boosts your fleet’s survivability.
-
Aquila heals the most damaged ship, which helps Musashi and others stay alive longer.
-
For tanking in the vanguard, Agir and Anchorage are popular. Amagi offers defensive buffs, but you can replace her if needed.
-
In W15, many players use Musashi, Unicorn Retrofit, and Aquila for mob fleets. For boss fleets, Bismarck Zwei, Independence Retrofit, and Volga are strong picks.
You should build your Best Fleet Setup around these main fleet ships. They give you the right mix of offense and defense. Many top players and guides suggest these combinations because they work well in both chapters. At Bahomu, we also recommend keeping an eye out for limited-time events to grab these powerful ships.
Note: Always check if your main fleet ships have synergy. For example, pairing a healer like Aquila with a tank like Musashi keeps your fleet healthy during long battles.
The Best Fleet Setup for W14 and W15 uses a mix of top-tier vanguard and main fleet ships. This setup helps you survive tough fights and defeat bosses faster. Community strategies and tier lists support these choices, so you can trust them to boost your clear rates.
Equipment & Gear Tips
Choosing the right equipment can make your fleet much stronger in W14 and W15. You want to boost both survivability and damage. Good gear helps you clear tough stages and keeps your ships safe.
Survivability Gear
You need gear that helps your ships survive longer. Some items give shields or heal your fleet during battle. The table below shows gear that increases survivability in W14 and W15:
|
Gear Item |
Effect on Survivability |
|---|---|
|
Janus |
Higher ASW and self-shield with damage resist |
|
Unicorn Retro |
Excellent for sustaining vanguard through high damage |
|
+13 Gear |
Increases baseline DPS by at least 18% |
Janus gives your fleet a shield and helps resist damage. Unicorn Retrofit heals your vanguard, which keeps them fighting longer. Upgrading your gear to +13 boosts your damage and helps you survive because you finish battles faster.
Tip: Always upgrade your main gear to +13 if possible. This gives your fleet a big advantage in hard battles.
Damage Gear
You want to equip your ships with gear that increases their attack power. For W14, the 533mm Mk35 torpedo stands out. This torpedo helps you deal with enemy submarines because it has strong anti-submarine warfare (ASW) stats. You should also use high-level guns and planes for your main fleet. These items help you defeat bosses quickly.
-
Use the 533mm Mk35 torpedo for better ASW in W14.
-
Equip your battleships with high-damage main guns.
-
Choose planes with high bomb or torpedo damage for carriers.
Auxiliary Options
Auxiliary gear gives extra stats or special effects. You can use repair tools to heal your ships during battle. Some gear increases evasion or reduces incoming damage. For W15, support fighters help you handle enemy air attacks. Try to match your auxiliary gear to the needs of each stage. Check out our guide on gear optimization for more details.
Remember, the Best Fleet Setup uses both strong gear and smart choices. Good equipment makes your fleet much harder to defeat.
Combat Tactics
Positioning Tips
You can improve your fleet’s performance by learning how to position your ships. Manual control lets you dodge enemy attacks and avoid dangerous zones. Try to move your vanguard ships in a zigzag pattern. This helps you dodge torpedoes and shells. Keep your tankiest ship in front. Place your damage dealers behind the tank. This setup protects your weaker ships.
Tip: Watch for enemy patterns. Many bosses use predictable attacks. Move your ships before the attack lands.
Formations also matter. Use the "Line Ahead" formation for more damage. Choose "Double Line" if you need more evasion. "Diamond" formation gives your fleet better anti-air defense. Pick the right formation for each battle.
|
Formation |
Best Use Case |
Benefit |
|---|---|---|
|
Line Ahead |
Boss fights |
More firepower |
|
Double Line |
Mob fights |
Better evasion |
|
Diamond |
Heavy air attacks |
Stronger AA defense |
Skill Timing
Skill timing can change the outcome of a battle. Use your ship skills at the right moment for the best effect. Save healing skills for when your ships take heavy damage. Activate damage skills when the boss exposes weak points.
You can also chain skills for better results. For example, use a debuff skill before a big attack. This makes your attack hit harder. Practice using manual skill activation. This gives you more control over the fight.
Note: Understanding when to use each skill helps you win tough battles. Try different timings to see what works best for your fleet.
Learning these tactics helps you master Azur Lane’s core mechanics. You will see better results and clear W14 and W15 with less trouble.
Alternative & Budget Fleets
You may not have every top-tier ship for W14 and W15. That does not mean you cannot finish these chapters. Many players use other fleets and still win. You can make strong teams with ships that are easier to get or upgrade.
Budget-Friendly Setups
You can build a good fleet using ships from events, construction, or the shop. Many players like these budget setups:
-
Vanguard: Jintsuu Retrofit, Helena, and Ayanami Retrofit. These ships give good damage and support. Jintsuu helps your team hit harder. Helena makes enemies weaker. Ayanami does strong torpedo damage.
-
Main Fleet: Queen Elizabeth, Yorktown Retrofit, and Arizona. Queen Elizabeth boosts Royal Navy ships. Yorktown Retrofit heals your fleet. Arizona helps your fleet survive longer.
Keep your gear upgraded, even for budget ships. Good equipment helps you catch up to meta fleets.
Ship Substitutes
If you do not have a meta ship, you can use a substitute that does a similar job. The table below shows common meta ships and their budget replacements:
|
Meta Ship |
Substitute Option |
Role |
|---|---|---|
|
Musashi |
Nagato Retrofit |
Tank/Support |
|
Washington |
Battleship DPS |
|
|
Shinano |
Saratoga Retrofit |
Carrier DPS |
|
Bismarck Zwei |
King George V |
Battleship DPS |
|
Shouhou Retrofit |
Healer/Support |
You can mix and match these ships to fit your fleet. Many guides suggest these swaps for players who want the Best Fleet Setup but do not have every ship.
You can check the latest community tier lists for more ideas. Many players share their own budget fleet setups online.
You can clear W14 and W15 by choosing strong ships and using the right gear. Upgrade your equipment to boost damage and survivability. Try both meta and budget fleets to find what works best for you. Community advice helps you learn new strategies and avoid common mistakes. And for detailed stats on various ships, our ship profiles are a great resource.
|
Point |
Description |
|---|---|
|
1 |
Battles take time, especially in W15. Perseus helps in W14. |
|
2 |
High-level fleets can clear event maps without healers. |
|
3 |
Healers work best at the start of battles and during boss fights. |
You improve your fleet by upgrading gear and listening to other players.
FAQ
What if you lack top-tier ships for W14 or W15?
You can use ships like Jintsuu Retrofit, Helena, and Ayanami Retrofit. These ships are easier to get and work well. Upgrade their gear to make them stronger. Look at community tier lists for more ship ideas. You still have a good chance to finish these chapters.
How important is manual control in these chapters?
Manual control lets you dodge enemy attacks better. You can move your ships to safer spots. This helps your ships take less damage. Try moving your vanguard in zigzags for best results. Practice makes you better at dodging.
Which gear should you prioritize upgrading first?
Upgrade main guns, torpedoes, and healing gear first. +13 gear gives your fleet more power and defense. Auxiliary gear also helps with extra healing and protection. Focus on these upgrades to help your fleet survive.
Do support fighters make a difference in W15?
Support fighters help you deal with strong air attacks. They boost your fleet’s anti-air defense. This keeps your ships safer from planes. Use Diamond formation with good fighters for the best results.
Can you clear W14 and W15 without healers?
You can finish these chapters with strong fleets and good gear. Healers make battles easier, especially against bosses. Try to use at least one healer for better results.





