Seven new Pan-European cruisers, two announced free ships, and a very different playstyle. Here is what the official 15.10 test information actually tells us about Dragon, Vanadis and everything between.
Seven cruisers from Tier IV to X. Dragon and Kralj Petar I are slated for the free Event Pass track; Tre Kronor is on the paid track. These ships rely on stealth, fast long-range torpedoes and Emergency Engine Power. All test figures and availability may change.
European cruisers do not behave like traditional radar cruisers. Wargaming describes them as “heavy destroyers”: they can threaten lanes from concealment, relocate quickly and punish predictable movement, but their fragile protection makes poor trades especially expensive. The line is still being tested: this is an informed preview, not a final verdict or a tested build guide.
The new branch starts at Tier IV and ends at Tier X. The first three ships are tied to the Event Pass announced for Update 15.10, while the higher four are planned for Armory Early Access offers. None of this means the entire branch is already researchable from the Tech Tree.
In the table below, “free” means earned by progressing the free track, not awarded automatically at login. Armory offers and container drops should be checked on the live server before making any purchase.
| Tier | Ship | Nation | Announced path | Primary role |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IV | Dragon | Poland | Free Event Pass | Learn light-cruiser positioning |
| V | Kralj Petar I | Yugoslavia | Free Event Pass | Guns and torpedo fundamentals |
| VI | Tre Kronor | Sweden | Paid Event Pass | Mobile mid-tier cruiser |
| VII | Hel | Poland | Armory offers | Torpedo-lane pressure |
| VIII | Kriti | Greece | Armory offers | Improved endurance from Tier VIII |
| IX | Tirfing | Sweden | Armory offers | Flanking and area denial |
| X | Vanadis | Sweden | Armory offers | Heavy torpedo saturation |
These ships combine good concealment for cruisers, high base speed and time-based Emergency Engine Power with fast, long-range torpedoes. Their torpedo reload is long, so wasting a launch has a genuine opportunity cost. At higher tiers, more tubes increase area denial and create crossfire opportunities.
Main-gun damage per minute can be competitive, but limited firing range means sustained gunfire often exposes her to return fire. Weak armor also makes aggressive straight-line pushes particularly risky. According to Wargaming’s test overview, the line has no Surveillance Radar or Smoke Generator; Repair Party gains an extra charge starting at Tier VIII.
Think in terms of angles rather than raw damage. Spot a likely enemy route, launch torpedoes to restrict it, then use concealment and speed to create another angle while the launchers reload.
A historical starting point
Dragon introduces the branch’s basic demands: plan your path before opening fire, take advantage of cover and avoid trading broadside salvos against heavier ships. At Tier IV, she is best treated as a free learning platform rather than proof that every higher-tier cruiser will feel the same.
Playing tip : Learn when to remain concealed rather than forcing a gun duel.
Guns and torpedoes begin to work together
Kralj Petar I moves the line into Tier V with a light-cruiser approach built around opportunities rather than constant gunnery. She should reward players who observe enemy paths and launch torpedoes ahead of advancing battleships. Her guns provide support when a safe opening appears, but she should not stay visible simply to maintain damage per minute.
Playing tip : Use gunfire to exploit an opening, not to reveal yourself unnecessarily.
The paid-track choice
Tre Kronor is the mid-tier introduction to the Swedish side of the branch. She offers a useful testing ground for mobility and timing: keep a retreat route, watch enemy detection angles, and commit to firing only when the trade makes sense. A paid unlock is not automatically justified by her placement in the progression track.
Playing tip : Check the complete paid Event Pass rewards, not just this ship.
More credible torpedo pressure
Hel represents the moment the branch begins to emphasize area denial more strongly. Her ideal engagements are not head-on trades; she should try to control a corridor with torpedoes, then reposition while enemy ships react. In a contested flank she benefits greatly from allied spotting and room to turn away.
Playing tip : Make enemies choose between torpedo lanes and exposing their broadsides.
The first Tier VIII repair breakpoint
Kriti is particularly interesting because the line’s Repair Party gains an extra charge starting at Tier VIII. That increases staying power across a long game, but weak armor still makes taking unnecessary citadel hits a terrible trade. Wargaming has already adjusted Kriti during testing, so fixed numerical recommendations are premature.
Playing tip : Survive several short engagements instead of forcing one long duel.
Flank control at Tier IX
Tirfing pushes this concept into higher-tier battles where radar coverage, concealment and enemy gun power punish careless moves. She should be strongest when threatening a lane from an unexpected angle, especially when enemies are already focused on allied ships. Her success depends on managing torpedo reloads and refusing bad gunfights.
Playing tip : Keep a second exit route before committing to a flank.
The Tier X destination
Vanadis is the headline ship: a Tier X European cruiser designed around stealth, mobility and substantial torpedo pressure. Her ability to reposition and threaten multiple approaches could be valuable, but her fragility and limited gun range are fundamental constraints. She has also received test balance changes, making any definitive performance ranking premature.
Playing tip : Treat Vanadis as a positional torpedo cruiser, not a frontline tank.
The announced free Event Pass path offers six Black Friday containers, Dragon at Tier IV and Kralj Petar I as its final ship reward. It is the sensible way to try the concept before spending anything.
The second Event Pass track requires Doubloons and immediately unlocks Tre Kronor. Announced additional rewards include six Black Friday containers, Repulse B and two Black Friday Premium containers at the end. The live-server price and reward progression must be confirmed at release.
Hel, Kriti, Tirfing and Vanadis are planned for sequential Armory offers. Cosmetics mentioned in official previews include Eternal Chase for Kriti, Sköll for Tirfing and Hati for Vanadis. The total cost matters far more than the apparent price of a single step.
Europe containers may provide some of the higher-tier rewards, but random drops are not a reliable way to obtain one particular cruiser.
Progress through the free Event Pass track. Six Black Friday containers are also announced.
Doubloon track also announces Repulse B, Black Friday containers and Premium containers.
Sequential offers: check the complete cost and whether an eventual Tech Tree grind is better for you.
Our answer before launch: not on the strength of the announced test specifications alone. Dragon and Kralj Petar I should provide a free introduction to concealment, torpedo timing and fragile-cruiser positioning.
The paid Event Pass is more interesting if you actually want the entire reward track, including Repulse B and Black Friday containers. It is a much weaker proposition if Tre Kronor is the only reward you care about.
For the sequential Armory offers, write down the full Doubloon cost before purchasing the first bundle. Early Access is not automatically a bargain, especially if your goal is simply to eventually research a Tech Tree cruiser.
Concealment comes first: being able to break detection protects the ship and keeps torpedo angles open. Torpedo reload and handling are natural secondary priorities, but do not trade away every survivability tool for theoretical damage.
Propulsion, rudder response and Repair Party management deserve serious attention, especially from Tier VIII. Gun-focused builds should remain experimental until the final live statistics, ranges and actual battle performance are known.
When the ships reach the live server, we will compare upgrades and commander skills with real ship statistics in the WoWS-Guides Build Lab. Any “best build” claimed before that point is guesswork.
1. Treating a cruiser silhouette as heavy-cruiser armor. She is larger than a destroyer, but Wargaming explicitly warns about weak protection.
2. Firing guns every time a target appears. Limited range may force you into an unfavorable detection and return-fire window.
3. Launching every torpedo directly at the aiming indicator. Spread your launch patterns around likely course changes, not just a perfectly straight target.
4. Burning Emergency Engine Power without a plan. Save part of its time reserve for flanking, retreating or crossing dangerous sightlines.
5. Assuming concealment solves enemy destroyers. Without Radar or Smoke, these cruisers still need allied spotting and escape routes.
They are announced for Early Access in Update 15.10. Full Tech Tree research availability and final conditions should be confirmed in the official release notes.
Dragon (Tier IV) and Kralj Petar I (Tier V) are announced on the free Event Pass progression track. They still require progression to their corresponding rewards.
A guaranteed free Early Access path for Vanadis has not been announced. She is planned in the Armory offers, while normal Tech Tree availability comes later.
The official test description says the line does not carry Surveillance Radar or Smoke Generator. This makes concealment, allies and positioning particularly important.
Only if you value the complete package. It also includes announced Black Friday rewards and Repulse B; compare the final price and conditions after the update launches.
There is no reliable live-server ranking yet. Test balance has changed, and actual performance needs to be evaluated after release.
This is one of the more distinctive cruiser concepts announced for 2026. Good concealment, quick torpedoes and flexible speed create opportunities to control movement rather than simply farm damage.
That does not make Vanadis an automatic Tier X winner. Torpedo reload, survivability and the ability to influence a losing flank will matter far more than an impressive theoretical broadside.
Start with Dragon and Kralj Petar I on the free track. Reassess Kriti, Tirfing and Vanadis after the first real live-server battles, and judge paid Early Access offers on their total cost.
Preview based on Wargaming’s October 2026 official test announcements. Statistics, rewards, costs and dates remain subject to change.
Wargaming · Update 15.10 Public Test · 15.10 Teaser · Armory Early Access
Free rewards, missions, containers and event dates.
