Dreadnought faces a Montana-style opponent

The opening battle sets an early dreadnought against Utah, the game's stand-in for a much later Montana-style capital ship. At extreme range, the falling shells are more likely to hit decks and turret roofs than the main belt. The ships' slight differences in speed and range shape the opening exchange, while closing changes which weapons can bear and where shells land. Heavy damage does not immediately sink Utah, but hits consume its ammunition and reduce its ability to keep fighting. The encounter separates survival from combat effectiveness: a hull may remain afloat after its useful firepower is nearly spent.