Formidable is one of the most popular and versatile aircraft carriers in Azur Lane. As a Royal Navy shipgirl of the Illustrious-class, she stands out not only for her elegant design and high-quality art but also for her powerful in-game capabilities. Whether you’re new to the game or a seasoned Commander, understanding how to fully utilize Formidable can give your fleet a serious edge in both PvE and PvP modes. If you’re new, you can also check out our Beginner’s Guide!

This guide will walk you through Formidable’s strengths, skill set, best gear, ideal fleet placement, and how to build around her to maximize her potential in any battle scenario.

Character Overview

Formidable is a Super Rare (SR) aircraft carrier introduced during the “Inverted Orthant” event. Her primary strength lies in her ability to both dish out consistent airstrike damage and disrupt enemy movements, making her a tactical support carrier rather than just a pure DPS unit. Check out our character guide for an introduction of the other characters for a wider understanding of where Formidable places.

Rarity: Super Rare

Faction: Royal Navy

 Class: Aircraft Carrier

 Position: Backline (main fleet)

Formidable’s Skills Explained

1. Fluttering Repetitions

 This is Formidable’s signature skill. After launching an airstrike, she creates an aerial field that slows all enemies hit by her planes by 40% for 6 seconds.

• Why it’s great: Slowing enemies not only helps your frontline ships avoid damage but also gives your torpedoes and other delayed attacks better chances to hit.

2. Artillery Cover

 Reduces the damage received by your Vanguard fleet by 5% (can go up with levels), and increases the damage dealt by her own aircraft.

• Why it’s great: This makes her an excellent support carrier, helping your Vanguard survive longer while boosting her own offensive capabilities.

3. Carrier Loadout (Standard Skill)

 Formidable also benefits from standard aircraft carrier bonuses such as enhanced reload speed and aircraft damage based on gear and level improvements.

Recommended Equipment for Formidable

To make the most of Formidable’s skills and damage output, gear selection is crucial. Here’s the ideal loadout:

Fighter:

• Sea Hornet – Best-in-slot for Royal Navy carriers. Provides excellent air superiority and fits thematically.
• F6F Hellcat – A great alternative with solid stats and survivability.

Torpedo Bomber:

• Barracuda – Good synergy with Royal Navy setups.
• TBM Avenger – Excellent for raw torpedo damage and consistency.

Dive Bomber:

• Fairey Firefly – Ideal for her role as a disruptor with strong AoE.
• SB2C Helldiver – Works well for general high-damage needs.

Auxiliary:

• Air Radar – Increases aircraft damage and helps with air superiority.
• Steam Catapult – Increases aviation stat and speeds up airstrike reload time.

Best Fleet Composition with Formidable

Formidable performs well in both PvE farming and boss fleets. Here’s how you can structure her team:

Main Fleet (Backline):

• Formidable (Slowing and Support)
• Warspite Retrofit or Queen Elizabeth (synergy with Royal Navy ships)
• Enterprise (for additional airstrike power) or Monarch (for mixed comp)

Vanguard Fleet (Frontline):

• Javelin Retrofit (dodging and crit damage)
• Sheffield (Royal Navy synergy and good survivability)
• Neptune (sustain and AoE)

Where Formidable Shines

PvE: Her crowd control and AoE damage make her extremely effective in mob-clearing maps, campaign stages, and event grinds.

PvP: The slow effect from her airstrike can disrupt enemy fleet movements, especially those relying on speed-based dodging.

Boss Battles: While she’s not a burst DPS like Enterprise, her consistent airstrike damage and enemy slow make her an ideal choice for prolonged boss fights.

Formidable Skins & Extras

Formidable also has several premium skins available, making her a fan favorite for fashion fleet lovers. These skins don’t affect gameplay but definitely enhance her visual appeal and collectible value.

Tips for Using Formidable Effectively

• Time her airstrikes to coincide with Vanguard pushes, so enemies are slowed right as your torpedoes and shells hit.
• Pair her with ships that benefit from enemy crowd control like Belfast, Jintsuu Retrofit, or torpedo-heavy destroyers.
• Level up her skills—especially Fluttering Repetitions—as early as possible to maximize her utility.

Formidable is more than just a beautiful shipgirl—she’s a strategic powerhouse in any fleet. With the ability to disrupt enemy formations, reduce incoming damage to your Vanguard, and deliver steady airstrike damage, she’s an invaluable member of any Commander’s roster. Equip her with the right gear, pair her with synergistic ships, and she’ll carry you through some of Azur Lane’s toughest battles. For the ultimate experience, play Azur Lane on BlueStacks to enjoy sharper visuals, better controls, and seamless performance in high-intensity fights.