Game Guides

You should start with Friedrich der Große, Drake, and Azuma for PR ships. These ships bring strong firepower and fit into many fleets. For DR ships, consider Odin or Anchorage. They offer unique skills and help in tough battles. Many players debate whether to focus on PR or DR ships first. Your early picks shape your power in the mid and late game. The Research Academy Guide from Bahomu helps you make the best choices.

Criteria

Strength

When you choose which ship to develop, always look at strength first. Strong ships help you clear hard maps and win boss fights. In Azur Lane, strength comes from high damage per second (DPS) or strong survivability. Ships in the top tiers often have both. Here is a simple table to help you understand ship tiers:

You should focus on Tier 0 and Tier 1 ships first. These ships will carry your fleet through most content.

Blueprint Access

Blueprint access can change your ship choices. Some blueprints drop quickly, while others take much longer. If you pick a ship with easy blueprints, you can finish it faster and use it sooner. Ships from earlier PR seasons often have more blueprint sources. Later ships may need more grinding. Always check the Research Academy Guide for the latest blueprint drop rates.

Synergy

Synergy means how well a ship works with others in your fleet. Some ships boost allies or fill special roles. For example, a ship that buffs cruisers works best with cruiser-heavy fleets. You should pick ships that fit your main fleet’s needs. Good synergy makes your whole team stronger, not just one ship.

Event Use

Some ships shine in special events or meta fights. If you want to do well in these, pick ships that help in those battles. Event ships often have unique skills or bonuses. You can plan ahead by checking which ships get used in upcoming events. This helps you get the most value from your development time.

Tip: Your first PR season choice affects which ships you can unlock later. Pick wisely to avoid getting stuck behind prerequisites.

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Research Academy Guide: Top Picks

Quick List

Here are the top ships you should consider first when using the Research Academy Guide:

• Friedrich der Große (PR3, Battleship)
  High firepower and strong skills. Works well in many boss fleets.

• Drake (PR3, Heavy Cruiser)
  Great damage and survivability. Fits into most main fleets.

• Azuma (PR2, Large Cruiser)
  Powerful area attacks. Useful in both mob and boss fights.

• Odin (DR1, Battleship)
  Unique skills and strong single-target damage. Good for tough bosses.

• Anchorage (DR2, Heavy Cruiser)
  Excellent tank and support. Helps your fleet survive longer.

You can use this list as a starting point. These ships give you strong options for most content.

Why These Ships

You want to get the most value from your time and resources. The Research Academy Guide helps you pick ships that offer the best mix of power and efficiency. When you look at PR and DR ships, you see some clear differences. PR ships need less investment. You can finish them faster and use them sooner. DR ships take more time and resources, but they give you higher combat power.

Here is a table to help you compare PR and DR ships:

If you want quick results, start with PR ships. Friedrich der Große, Drake, and Azuma all give you strong fleets without a huge grind. They help you clear story maps, events, and daily content. You can build them up while you learn how the Research Academy Guide works.

If you want the strongest ships for late-game content, you should invest in DR ships like Odin and Anchorage. These ships take longer to finish. They need more blueprints and resources. When you finish them, you get ships that can handle the hardest bosses and meta fights.

Note: Your choice depends on your goals. If you want to grow your fleet fast, focus on PR ships first. If you want to prepare for endgame and meta events, start working on DR ships early.

The Research Academy Guide from Bahomu recommends starting with PR ships for most players. You get strong ships faster and can use them in many fleets. As you progress, you can shift your focus to DR ships for even more power. This balanced approach helps you enjoy the game and tackle new challenges as they come.

Generations

PR1

You start with PR1 ships. These ships include Monarch, Neptune, Izumo, Roon, Saint Louis, and Ibuki. Monarch and Neptune stand out for their strong performance in early and mid-game. Monarch brings reliable firepower as a battleship. Neptune offers great survivability and fits well in light cruiser fleets. PR1 ships require basic blueprints and materials, so you can finish them faster than later generations.

PR2

PR2 ships show heavy hitting power and adapt well to many battle scenarios. You find Seattle, Georgia, Friedrich der Große, Kitakaze, Gascogne, and Azuma in this group. These ships have human-like characteristics and bring unique skills to your fleet. Azuma and Friedrich der Große lead the group with their area attacks and high damage. You need more blueprints and resources for PR2 ships, but their versatility helps you in both boss fights and mob clearing.

PR3

PR3 ships raise the bar for power. Drake and Mainz stand out for their damage and survivability. Odin offers strong single-target skills, making her a top pick for boss fights. These ships need more grind and higher-level materials. You get strong returns for your effort, especially in late-game content.

PR4

PR4 ships are newer and need advanced resources. Plymouth and Harbin shine in this group. Plymouth boosts your fleet’s firepower and brings strong support skills. Harbin works well in torpedo-heavy fleets. You unlock PR4 ships after finishing earlier PR ships, so plan your path early.

DR1

DR1 ships play a big role in late-game battles. You see ships like Roon, Sirius, Hood, Nelson, Kawakaze, and Chang Chun used often. Here is a quick look at their strengths:

You need a lot of blueprints and resources for DR1 ships, but they reward you with top-tier performance.

DR2

DR2 ships like Anchorage and Marco Polo bring unique skills and strong survivability. Anchorage stands out as a tank and support ship. She helps your fleet last longer in tough fights. DR2 ships need even more investment, but they shine in meta events and hard maps.

DR3

DR3 ships are the latest and need the most resources. These ships push your fleet to the highest level. You unlock them after finishing many earlier ships. DR3 ships help you tackle the hardest content in the game. If you want to stay ahead in meta events, you should plan for DR3 ships early.

Tip: Each generation needs more resources and time. Plan your ship development path to match your goals and available materials.

Resource Tips

Blueprint Farming

You need blueprints to build PR and DR ships. You can farm blueprints by running daily missions and sending out two ten-hour commissions each day. This method helps you collect around 13,000 to 15,000 coins daily. On Sundays, you get extra coins by finishing all daily missions. If you focus on ships you plan to use often, you reach the 100,000 coin mark faster. You should balance your oil reserves by mixing daily tasks with commission runs. This strategy works well if you do not have much time to play actively.

• Run daily missions every day.

• Use two ten-hour commissions for steady coin income.

• Finish all daily missions on Sundays for bonus coins.

• Choose ships you want to use in your main fleet.

• Save oil by balancing tasks and commissions.

Tip: The Shipyard tab shows your blueprint progress. Check it often to track your farming.

Protocore Use

Protocores help you unlock PR and DR ships faster. You earn protocores by completing research tasks and events. You should save protocores for ships that give your fleet the biggest boost. Avoid spending them on ships you will not use often. The Research Academy Guide helps you decide which ships deserve your protocores.

• Use protocores for top-tier ships.

• Save them for rare upgrades.

• Avoid wasting protocores on ships with low impact.

Managing Resources

You need to manage coins, oil, and premium currency carefully. Use a low-cost fleet for grinding to save resources. Upgrade rare ships first to get the most benefits. Do not spend premium currency on items you can get easily. The Fleet Technology tab helps you see which ships give the best bonuses. The Research Academy Guide and Azur Lane Wiki show up-to-date requirements for ship development.

Note: Check the Research Academy Guide and Azur Lane Wiki often. You stay updated on ship requirements and resource tips.

Quick Reference

Tier List

You can use this tier list to see which PR and DR ships stand out for most PvE content. These ships help you clear story maps, events, and daily battles. Keep in mind that ship rankings can change if you focus on PvP or special events. Some ships perform better in Exercise or meta fights, so always check for updates.

Note: Most tier lists focus on PvE. PvP and event rankings may look different. Exercise-focused lists are still evolving, so check back for changes.

• PvE ships often top the list for general content.

• PvP and event ships may rank higher in special modes.

• Always review the latest tier lists for your main game mode.

Player Types

You should choose your first PR and DR ships based on your play style and goals. Here are some quick tips for different player types:

• New Players:
  Start with PR ships like Monarch or Neptune. These ships finish quickly and help you learn the game. Focus on ships with easy blueprint access.

• F2P Players:
  Pick ships with strong performance and low resource needs. Drake and Azuma give you great value. Save protocores for top-tier ships.

• Veteran Players:
  Invest in DR ships like Odin and Anchorage. These ships take longer but give you the power needed for late-game and meta events. Plan your path for future DR generations.

Tip: Your best ship choices depend on your main content. PvE, PvP, and events each have different top picks. Adjust your plan as new ships and updates arrive.

You now have a clear path for choosing your first PR and DR ships. Focus on strong, versatile ships to boost your fleet early. Always match your ship choices to your goals and play style. Strategic planning helps you save time and resources. Remember, Azur Lane adds new ships and updates often. Check this guide again when you see new content. Your smart choices today will shape your fleet’s future power. 🚢

FAQ

Which PR ship should you develop first if you are new?

You should start with Monarch or Neptune. These ships finish quickly and help you learn basic fleet building. Monarch gives strong firepower. Neptune offers good survivability.

How do you get more blueprints for PR and DR ships?

You can run daily missions and send commissions. Check the Shipyard tab often. You earn extra blueprints during events. Farming blueprints every day speeds up ship development.

Can you skip a PR or DR ship and unlock later generations?

You cannot skip ships. You must finish earlier ships to unlock new generations. Plan your path early. This helps you avoid getting stuck behind prerequisites.

What is the fastest way to use protocores?

You should save protocores for top-tier ships. Use them only when you lack enough blueprints. Prioritize ships that boost your main fleet. Avoid spending protocores on ships with low impact.