Reinforced Vlad squadron

[Hood]

Playing my 3rd campaign (second time as Russians ) ... have decided to make Vlad. my main area of focus , so I reinforced Vlad with whatever I could get out of P.A .... managed to get two fast battleships (Tsearevich & Retvizan) as well as A.C Bayan & P.C Diana without loss to Vlad ..considered other ships too slow (apart for Boyarin - which will raid from P.A) during my sortie to get these ships out - I caught the Chin Yen squadron just outside P.A - with my 1st Pc Sqd'n as escort ..... sank the lot.
Got to Vlad & formed a new division of four A.C's , two BBs' and Diana ..... sent the four fast P.C's as individual raiders (also got the two auxillary cruisers to Vlad - these are now on the east coast of Japan & rounding up neutrals.
My raiders are doing well - Boyarin also (but puny 120 mm guns take some time to sink even merchants ...have collected a few gunboats too.
My strong division caught the Adzuma and Yakumo - they tried to flee but my A.C's kept up & all targetted Adzuma - as my ships got damaged I took them out of the battle (nearly lost Bayan when she got to moderate) (ceased fire & stopped her-she recovered) ... also Gromoboi did exceptionally well until I had to 'rest' her too . Finally Adzuma slowed after repeated hits -Yakumo likewise slowed to give assistance ...then my BB's closed & fired at 3000 metres -rapidly closing the distance ....once Adzuma damage got to heavy I targetted Yakumo with everything (except Diana-she tasked to finish off Adzuma) ....
result- both these powerfull vessels were sunk - no losses to my own division -these sent back to Vlad for repairs...... very satisfying that strategy appears sound .....will use my P.C's & strong division to clean up all the Japanese torpedo boats - so the two Aux cruisers can cruise unmolested ....
my P.Cs'should have a field day on West coast of Japan - and venturing to west coast of Korea ...just have to avoid Togo - he can only get these at night or if I'm pinned against a bay ....

 

[Beercat]

I've had good luck splitting the 3, 12inch 16 knot BBs to Vlad. I keep them in their own division and they smash everything. The 2, 10in 18 knot and 2, 12in 18 knot BBs stay in Pt Arthur and Togo stays put.
I find that the Vlad BBs have more skirmishes as you try to get in a lucky shot before the Adzumo and Yakumo sail away at 20 knots. Yet after 6 months, they are solid yellow and only making 16-17 knots. I also CAREFULLY send the Vlad BBs through Tsushima several times to clear out the torpedo boats, then your ACs and PCs can really party.

 

[JebUSMC]

I do something similar with some success. I've had problems with Adzuma and Yakumo showing up off the east coast of Japan threatening Angara and Lyena. I got lucky in that they engaged in the late afternoon, allowing my pirate ships to escape. I sent my 18 knotters to Vlad, split them into two seperate groups, One 12 incher with one 10 incher. One blockaded the southern entrance to the Sea of Japan while the other cruised down from the northern entrance. I ended up catching the two AC's between both groups in the evening.

 

[Beercat]

Adzuma and Yakumo are wild cards which seem to show up anywhere. When playing as the Russians I never feel good until those two pieces are off of the map.