Kushiro review

When I first unlocked Kushiro during the 10th Anniversary event, I wasn’t expecting much. On paper, her stats look pretty average compared to her peers at Tier X. But after several battles, I can confidently say she’s far better than I imagined and quickly becoming one of my favorite cruisers.

Comparing Kushiro to Zao

The most natural comparison for Kushiro is Zao, the iconic Tier X Japanese cruiser. Zao is famous for her stealth and heavy-hitting shells, but also feels a bit dated in the current meta. Kushiro, on the other hand, offers a fresher, more comfortable experience. She trades some of Zao’s raw alpha strike potential for consistency, utility, and survivability.

Against Zao:

• Concealment: Zao still edges out, but Kushiro is close enough that it doesn’t feel like a handicap.
• Damage Output: Kushiro’s HE spamming capabilities let her apply pressure more consistently than Zao, because of bigger range.
• Comfort: Thanks to her consumables, Kushiro feels much easier to handle in practice.

Comfortable Gameplay with Consumables

One of the standout features of Kushiro is how comfortable she is to play. Her consumable setup especially access to Hydroacoustic Search, Italian Exhaust Smoke Generator, Heal and Spotter Plane makes her forgiving for not experienced cruiser players and flexible in various situations. Whether you’re screening for torpedoes, contesting caps, or kiting away from a push, her toolset makes the experience smooth and enjoyable.

Better in Battle Than Expected

Looking at the stats alone, Kushiro doesn’t scream “strong ship.” Her armor isn’t amazing, her gun layout is conventional, and her DPM isn’t record-breaking. But in battle, she consistently overperforms. The mix of reliable HE shells, decent fire-starting ability, and consumable support means she holds her own against cruisers and punishes battleships surprisingly well.

What impressed me most is how comfortable and effective she feels even in tough matches. She’s not a theoretical powerhouse, but in practice she wins fights and contributes heavily to the team.

The HE Spammer Playstyle

Kushiro shines as an HE spammer. Her shells are reliable, and with her fire-setting potential, she can whittle down even the tankiest battleships. This playstyle feels familiar to Zao and Yoshino fans, but for me, Kushiro strikes the best balance.

Honestly, I prefer Kushiro over both Zao and Yoshino. Zao feels too fragile and situational, while Yoshino’s long reload can be frustrating. Kushiro sits right in the sweet spot steady, reliable, and fun.

Final Thoughts

Kushiro might not look like much on paper, but in battle she’s a star. Comfortable consumables, reliable HE spamming, and a consistent performance make her one of the most enjoyable Tier X cruisers I’ve played in a long time.

If you’re deciding where to spend your event tokens, Kushiro is absolutely worth picking up. She’s proof that stats don’t tell the whole story and that some ships just feel right once you take them out to sea.