How is the modern warship Kashtan? Is it worth getting?

For players looking to pair with anti-air components, choosing the right setup can be quite a science. Today, I'll introduce you to how the Kashtan performs in modern warships. In fact, Kashtan is a combined gun and missile anti-aircraft weapon in the game, mainly focusing on intercepting missiles at medium and short distances. It's suitable for low-resource players or ships that need to supplement their air defense. Its advantages are low cost and high efficiency in intercepting missiles, but it is less effective against aircraft and takes up a lot of equipment slots due to its large size.

Kashtan is generally installed in the anti-air slot of second or third-tier ships, such as the Kuznetsov or the Modern-class destroyer. For missiles, it's recommended to pair with Starfish (SSM-700K) or BrahMos to make up for anti-ship damage. Choose a fast-firing main gun like the Oto 76 or Huangpujiang 45B for close combat to clear small aircraft. Equip RBU-6000 for anti-submarine rockets and use HUWS torpedoes for close-range attacks. Kashtan itself doesn't need to be fully upgraded; blue quality is sufficient. Save your gold coins to prioritize upgrading the main gun and missiles.

The core task of Kashtan is to intercept missiles, especially anti-ship missiles (such as Granit or Tomahawk). At the start, maintain a medium distance (5-8 kilometers), manually switch targets to prioritize missiles, and don't let it automatically lock onto aircraft, wasting firepower. When encountering a group of aircraft, either hide behind a mountain or switch to the main gun to withstand the attack. Use the repair skill when low on health, but don't expect it to single-handedly defend against a carrier's air wing. In team battles, it's best to have teammates with Sea Ram or Pantsir to complement the air defense.

First, upgrade the main gun to purple using gold coins, then the missiles. Use diamonds to increase interception rate, making up for Kashtan's stability. Exchange for Starfish missile fragments during weekly events, and don't waste them on upgrading Kashtan. Low-spending players are advised to focus on one ship equipped with Kashtan (such as the Modern-class, etc.), while other ships can use basic air defense for the transition. Kashtan is decent at intercepting regular missiles but may struggle with X51 or Zircon. It's recommended to pair with an anti-submarine helicopter (Osprey) or rocket launcher (A22) to clear submarines. If the enemy frequently uses aircraft, switch ships or have teammates bring Sea Red Flag 10. In solo matches, try not to rely on Kashtan as the primary air defense; it's better suited for supplementary roles.

Kashtan is a cost-effective transitional equipment, suitable for players who want to save money and still improve their air defense. Focus on using it to intercept anti-ship missiles, and don't expect it to be all-powerful. In operation, frequently switch targets manually, and coordinate with terrain and teammates to perform stably in mid to low-level matches. Later, when resources permit, it's recommended to replace it with Pantsir or 1130 for better results.