The Imperator Nikolai I is a new battleship for the USSR/Russian navy, featuring a linear turret arrangement, powerful guns, and excellent protection!

Introducing the Imperator Nikolai I!

Today we’re taking a look at Imperator Nikolai I, which continues the concept of the formidable battleship Imperatritsa Mariya!

Using the Imperator Nikolai I in Battle

The battleship Imperator Nikolai I mounts twelve 305 mm guns in four turrets arranged in a line along the deck’s centerline; these guns boast an impressive rate of fire, with a skilled crew capable of firing three salvos per minute. An enlarged, reinforced main armor belt provides superior protection compared to the Imperatrista Mariya class. The ship also features a relatively low profile, further enhancing its survivability. While not the fastest vessel and lacking rapid-fire anti-aircraft artillery, the Imperator Nikolai I is a pivotal force in any engagement, being tough, resilient, and a threat to both cruisers and early-generation battleships alike!

Feature Spotlight: Resilience

One of the key advantages of the Imperatritsa Mariya class is its high survivability. The new Imperator Nikolai I continues and reinforces this proud tradition. The battleship was designed with superior protection compared to Mariya: the armor belt is both wider and thicker, while the low superstructure minimizes the risk of accidental hits from overshooting enemy salvos. Additionally, the slightly larger crew provides more effective damage-control efforts, such as plugging leaks and fighting fires over longer periods.

Developer comment:  The Imperator Nikolai I can be described as an Imperatritsa Mariya taken to the max. She boasts the same 305 mm guns featuring excellent fire rate and a single-level turret layout, along with a secondary battery of twenty 130 mm guns (ten per side) and that signature low profile. While the ship is effective against any cruiser at any combat range, engaging dreadnoughts and battleships reliably requires closing the distance, which is precisely where the Imperator’s improved armor comes in handy. The ship is easily capable of dealing with stronger cannons, and facing a large number of enemy battleships will be much more manageable. There’s still plenty of fight left in her!

Vehicle History

The design for the battleship Imperator Nikolai I was based on the Imperatritsa Ekaterina II ship. The Nikolaev Works and Shipyards Company laid down Imperatritsa Mariya on June 9th 1914, under the name Ioann Grozny. On July 2nd 1915, the battleship was formally enrolled in the Black Sea Fleet as Imperator Nikolai I. The ship was launched on October 5th, 1916, and moored at the fitting-out quay. Following the launch, work slowed due to a lack of finished machinery. As of January 1st 1917, the hull was 77.5% complete; 26.5% of the armor had been manufactured, and 16.5% had been installed. Economic and political conditions hindered further work, with suppliers failing to meet delivery schedules. On October 24th 1917, due to its low state of completion, construction was halted and the ship was laid up. After the Civil War, the fleet command attempted to include the ship’s completion in the first Soviet shipbuilding program, but the project was not pursued. On April 11th 1927, the ship was sold for scrap.

The Imperator Nikolai I is coming to the game and will certainly be a strong contender at its rank. See you in the next blog!

Please note that vehicle specifications may be subject to revision and change before being added to the game.