Learn how to spawn, control, and repair destroyers in Battlefield 1. Details on loadouts, weapons, and the Turning Tides DLC.
Availability: Destroyers are available on Zeebrugge (both sides get one) and Heligoland Bight (both sides get two). The British also get one destroyer in the 'Gallipoli' Operation, specifically in the second sector of the first map.
- 1Accessing a Destroyer: On the (spawn) screen, look for a "1" next to the ship icon by the deployment marker (faction flag) when a destroyer is available from the (respawn (be brought back to life at a checkpoint after death)) screen. Shortly after the driver spawns, it will appear on the (spawn) map for other players to join.
- 2Cooldown: After a destroyer is destroyed, it enters a cooldown period of approximately 90 seconds (on default server settings) before becoming available again.
- 3Repairing the Destroyer: The player who initially spawns into the destroyer always becomes the Tanker (class) and is the only one who can repair it. If this player switches seats or abandons ship, the new driver cannot perform repairs.
- 4Driver Weapons: The driver has two standard weapons, switchable with Triangle/Y. The dreadnought barrage requires internal view (right stick button to toggle). Select the "whistle" icon, optionally hold d-pad up for binoculars view, and press L1/LB to fire six heavy shells. The other weapon is a 4-inch gun with a maximum of ten rounds that replenish over time; hold d-pad up for zoomed aim and press L1/LB to fire.
- 5Crew Seats: The second seat has another 4-inch gun, and the third has an anti-aircraft gun, both with 360° rotation. Use L2/LT to aim and R2/RT to fire. Both seats can toggle to dual torpedo tubes with 60° arcs.
- 6Loadout Options: The L-Class Destroyer has two loadouts. 'Torpedo Boat Destroyer' adds a fourth seat with another 4-inch gun (no torpedoes). 'Minelayer' gives the driver naval mines (twelve can be dropped from the rear by pressing d-pad left while moving) in addition to the barrage and gun, but removes the fourth seat.
- 7Targeting and Spotting: The 4-inch guns provide one-hit kills on infantry. Use the spotting button (R1/RB) to mark targets. Allow for substantial projectile drop at long ranges by aiming high and staying zoomed to adjust shots.
- 8Enemy Threats: Enemy torpedo boats in Conquest Assault mode are a major threat. Engage them as soon as possible, accounting for drop and leading moving targets. Friendly boats and planes can assist.
- 9Scout Class Benefit: Selecting the Scout (class) before spawning into the second, third, or fourth seat can lead to multi-kills against enemy boats. Three multi-kills as Scout are required to unlock the Arisaka rifle.
- For long-range engagements with the 4-inch guns, aim high and stay zoomed to observe projectile trajectory and adjust subsequent shots.
- When dropping naval mines as a Minelayer, do so while moving across popular routes to create a line of deterrents.
- Consider the 'Torpedo Boat Destroyer' loadout for the extra 4-inch gun seat, as it often provides more utility than naval mines.
- If you are in a secondary seat on the destroyer, consider switching to the Scout (class) to potentially achieve multi-kills against enemy boats, which contributes to unlocking the Arisaka rifle.
Related Trophy:
46 Naval Weapons Collection [Gold/100G]: Perform a kill with all 'Turning Tides' weapon variants. This requires one kill with all six new unlockable guns (eight variants total) and the unlockable Naval Cutlass (sword) added in the Turning Tides (DLC (downloadable content — extra missions or items released after launch)). Each gun is unlocked via an assignment. For the Maschinenpistole M1912/P.16 Storm (Assault class), you need to get 50 kills with the Automatico M1918 (Storm variant) and destroy 5 boats with the AT Rocket Gun. The Automatico M1918 (Storm variant) can be bought for 200 warbonds at Assault rank 3. The AT Rocket Gun is available by default.
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