Hakuhou is a powerful Sakura Empire carrier in Azur Lane, bringing a mix of supportive, offensive, and debuffing capabilities to your fleet. Her unique skills make her stand out in both PvE and PvP scenarios, especially when synergized with other Sakura Empire ships. This guide will give you a complete breakdown of Hakuhou’s skills, recommended gear, and team synergies so you can maximize her potential on the battlefield.
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Hakuhou Skills Breakdown
✬ Sandalwood Rite
· Effect: Increases AVI and ACC by 1% (10%).
· While afloat, when a Vanguard ship fires Main Guns: grants Incense for 5s.
· Incense Buff: Ships take 1% (7%) less DMG.
· When hitting enemies with Main Guns: applies Charcoal Smoke for 5s.
· Charcoal Smoke Effects:Light/Medium Armor: Reduces DMG dealt to Hakuhou by 2% (14%). Heavy Armor: Increases DMG taken from Hakuhou by 2% (14%).
✬ Wispwrought Augury
Effect Trigger: When a Sakura Empire Main Fleet ship fires Main Guns or launches an airstrike.
Sequence:
1. Boosts Hakuhou’s DMG by 1% (7%) for 5s (non-stacking).
2. Fires a Lv.1–10 special barrage.
3. Reduces Main Fleet Detection Gauge by 3/s for 5s.
✬ Smouldering Embrace
· Condition: Sakura Empire gear equipped in 1st gear slot.
· Effects:
o Increases AVI by 1% (10%).
o Aircraft hits inflict a Burn (15s, 140 DMG/0.5s).
o Gear-based Buffs:– Torpedo Bomber: +20% (50%) efficiency in 1st slot.– Fighter/Dive Bomber: +5% (15%) AA.
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Recommended Gear
First Gear Slot - Sakura Empire Aircraft
· Always equip a Sakura Empire plane to activate Smouldering Embrace.
· Torpedo Bombers (Ryuusei, Tenrai, Tenzan Kai): Best for raw efficiency scaling, granting up to +50% efficiency.
· Dive Bombers (Suisei, Helldiver, XSB3C): Great for adding AA synergy, keeping the fleet safer against air-heavy enemies.
· Fighters (Reppuu, A6M5 Zero): Situational for anti-air builds, but generally secondary.
Auxiliary Gear - Aviation Boost & Reliability
· Steam Catapult (Gold/Purple): Core option to reduce airstrike cooldown and boost overall DPS.
· Aviation Gasoline / Drop Tank: Cost-effective early/mid-game gear to boost aviation.
· Homing Beacon: Improves accuracy for torpedo and dive bombers, especially valuable in PvP.
· For late game, aim for dual Gold Steam Catapults or 1 Catapult + Homing Beacon.
Gear Progression - From Early to Late Game
· Early game: Arado AR 197, Douglas Dauntless, Purple Steam Catapult, common from Tech Boxes.
· Mid game: Reppuu, Helldiver, Ryuusei, reliable upgrades with purple/gold auxiliaries.
· Late game: Tenrai or Ryuusei Kai for top damage potential, paired with dual Gold Steam Catapults for best-in-slot performance.
Fleet Synergy
Hakuhou shines brightest when paired with other Sakura Empire ships, since her skills and synergy bonuses are designed around this faction.
Main Fleet Partners ✬ Firepower & Buffs
· Carriers: Pair Hakuhou with Shinano or Akagi to create overwhelming carrier-based airstrikes. Their combined damage output ensures both bossing and wave-clearing efficiency.
· Battleships: Nagato is a strong choice, providing fleet-wide buffs that enhance Hakuhou’s aviation damage. Other Sakura battleships like Mikasa Kai can also support with situational utility.
Vanguard Partners ✬ Survivability & Synergy
· Ibuki or Azuma: Both bring durability to the frontline, and benefit directly from Hakuhou’s Incense buff, which reduces incoming damage and helps them last longer in extended fights.
· Other Sakura Vanguard ships: Tankier options such as Noshiro or Yahagi also pair well, combining Hakuhou’s support with their evasion and defensive tools.
Overall Faction Synergy: When built into a full Sakura Empire fleet, Hakuhou amplifies the group’s strengths — higher burn damage, sustained survivability, and consistent fleet buffs. This makes her not just a strong standalone carrier, but also a pivotal support piece in faction-themed lineups.
Hakuhou Performance in PvE and PvP
· Sustained Damage: Hakuhou excels in long battles with her Burn effects and reliable debuff application, making her ideal for extended operations where fleet endurance is critical.
· Fleet Durability: The combination of damage reduction buffs and Sakura Empire gear synergy allows her team to remain consistent over prolonged encounters.
· Anti-Tank Threat: In competitive modes, her Burn damage is particularly dangerous to high-HP tanks, steadily wearing them down.
· Tactical Utility: The Detection Gauge reduction she provides offers a major strategic advantage in PvP, giving her team more room to maneuver.
· Offensive Pressure: Her special barrage ensures she contributes constant firepower, supporting other carriers and keeping both PvE and PvP opponents under pressure.
Conclusion
Hakuhou is a versatile carrier with a unique balance of offensive firepower, defensive support, and debuffs. Building her with the right gear and synergizing with Sakura Empire ships will ensure she performs at her peak in both PvE and PvP. Players who invest in her will find her a reliable and stylish addition to their fleets.
