Critical Payload Event Review
Event rewards: This month’s Critical Payload event is a bit of a letdown for many — there are 0 keys as a grindable reward, and the main offer is 100 AC for the L/50 cannon.
Hello! Today we’re breaking down the Critical Payload event, the main monthly update drop in the game, and honestly it’s a mixed bag this time.
First things first — there’s still no unique exclusive reward again this month, which is starting to feel like a pattern the community isn’t too happy about. It makes the grind feel less exciting. However, the devs did mention that next month will finally introduce an exclusive reward, so it might be worth holding expectations instead of burning everything now. Keep an eye on their official channels because they’re clearly teasing something bigger.
This month’s main rewards include 20 keys and a 100 AC offer for the L/50 cannon. It comes with a buyout of 210 AC. Real talk, it’s not that impressive in actual gameplay. The stats don’t justify the cost, so unless you’re collecting everything, I’d recommend selling it and saving resources for stronger meta items.
Special offers & bundles: The Sawtooth battleship sits in a weird spot — kind of similar vibe to Nsuntara and Teton, but it doesn’t reach the same level as top-tier monsters like Super Alsace, Moscow, or Hood. It’s more flexible in different situations, which is nice, but flexibility doesn’t always mean dominance. In high-level fights, it still gets outclassed. On the bright side, the bundle camo is actually fire — visually one of the best cosmetics in this update.
P2W gacha: USS California stands out as a well-balanced cruiser. It’s not broken, but it’s consistent and its GL feels really strong, making it a solid pick if you like stable performance. Hexeres lands in the mid-tier category — usable, but not something you build a full strategy around. SPGH cannon, on the other hand, is kind of cracked thanks to its critical hit scaling and auto-aim features, making it very dangerous in the right hands.
Free gacha & Torpedo 62: Sakafraya is underwhelming due to poor range, which limits its impact heavily. Mark 45 Astor, however, is easily one of the best nuclear torpedoes in the current meta — reliable, high damage, and very punishing. F2P gacha overall feels more stacked than before. Torpedo 62 is still one of the strongest options available, Mark 55 remains solid, and cannons are generally more usable even if not all of them are top-tier.
The new Stratus performs well at long range, but its weak acceleration makes it terrible in close-range panic fights. You either play patient or you suffer.
Overall, this event is mid-tier. Not bad, not amazing — just something worth grinding if you’re already active, but not something you should rush or overinvest in.