Cautious destroyer handling conflicts with the need to get close enough to launch torpedoes. A destroyer whose principal killing weapon reaches only about three kilometres gains little by remaining outside that distance, even if closing exposes it to heavy fire. The campaign's AI instead sends battleships close while holding destroyers back, reversing the roles their weapons suggest. After the unsuccessful attack, the practical design response is faster ships carrying longer-ranged torpedoes.
Notable Point · 1:31:15-1:37:14
Destroyers must close before their torpedoes matter
The battle commentary argues that destroyers waste their chief weapon if they stay beyond torpedo range.