Azur Lane continues to captivate commanders worldwide by skillfully combining historical naval warfare with engaging, anime-style characters. Among the numerous factions within the game, the Sardegna Empire stands out for its blend of cultural elegance and naval prowess.

Two prominent members recently introduced from this Empire are Raffaello, an artistically inspired heavy cruiser, and Maggiore Baracca, a daring submarine renowned for stealth operations. This comprehensive guide explores their intriguing historical lore, detailed combat abilities, recommended equipment setups, and ideal fleet compositions to help commanders unlock their full potential.

If you’re new to the game, check out our Beginner’s Guide for Azur Lane for a comprehensive introduction!

Raffaello: The Artistic Guardian of Sardegna

Historical Lore & Background

Raffaello is named after the legendary Italian Renaissance painter Raphael, symbolizing a seamless blend of artistic creativity and military strength. Historically inspired by Italy’s ambitious U.P. 41 battleship project—an unbuilt design featuring advanced armament and armor—Raffaello encapsulates the vision of naval supremacy combined with cultural refinement. Within Azur Lane’s universe, she is portrayed as a creative yet protective figure who believes art can both inspire allies and intimidate adversaries. Carrying her painter’s palette into battle, she seeks to defend and uplift her fleet, showcasing her artistic brilliance on the battlefield.

Detailed Statistics (Level 125)

• Health: 6,399
• Firepower: 257
• Torpedo: 219
• Anti-Air: 232
• Reload: 166
• Evasion: 82
• Armor: Medium
• Speed: 26
• Accuracy: 152
• Luck: 15
• Oil Consumption: 13

Skill Breakdown

• Super Artist
• Triggers a supportive barrage each time another fleet engages in battle (up to three times per sortie), bolstering overall fleet combat effectiveness.
• Palette of Inspiration
• Has a guaranteed chance (at max skill level) to release a healing barrage when firing main guns, restoring HP to the ally with the lowest health percentage, greatly enhancing survivability during engagements.

Recommended Equipment

To maximize Raffaello’s performance, consider the following equipment setup:

• Main Gun: Prototype Triple 203mm Main Gun
• Torpedoes: 533mm Quintuple Homing Torpedoes
• Anti-Aircraft Gun: Quadruple Bofors 40mm
• Auxiliary Gear: High-Performance Hydraulic Rudder, Beaver Squad Tag

Ideal Fleet Compositions

Raffaello thrives in supportive roles, effectively complementing ships with high damage outputs or those requiring additional protection:

• Frontline Allies: Zara, Pola, or Trento (enhancing offensive capability).
• Backline Support: Aquila, Perseus, or Veneto (providing additional healing and buffs).

Maggiore Baracca: Silent Predator Beneath the Waves

Historical Lore & Background

Maggiore Baracca represents the courage and daring spirit of the Italian WWII submarine, part of the renowned Guglielmo Marconi-class. The real-life Maggiore Baracca submarine was infamous for bold operations against Allied convoys in the Atlantic, particularly in perilous missions that demonstrated exceptional bravery and strategic ingenuity. Her wartime service tragically ended in 1941 when she surfaced after depth-charge attacks and was sunk by HMS Croome, reflecting the risks inherent in submarine warfare. Azur Lane honors this historical legacy by depicting Maggiore Baracca as a fearless, stealth-oriented warrior adept at surprise attacks.

Detailed Statistics (Level 125)

• Health: 1,200
• Torpedo: 450
• Reload: 150
• Evasion: 55
• Speed: 15
• Oxygen: 200
• Luck: 10
• Oil Consumption: 8

Skill Breakdown

• Stealth Assault
• Increases Maggiore Baracca’s torpedo critical hit rate by 20%, simultaneously reducing enemy detection chances, enabling highly effective surprise attacks.
• Wolfpack Tactics
• Significantly boosts torpedo damage (by 15%) and decreases incoming damage (by 10%) when deployed alongside other submarines, encouraging strategic submarine teamwork.

Recommended Equipment

Optimally equip Maggiore Baracca to maximize her stealth and strike capabilities:

• Torpedoes: 533mm Quintuple Homing Torpedoes
• Auxiliary Gear: Submarine Oxygen Torpedo (for extended dive capability), Improved Snorkel (for quicker dive and reload times)

Ideal Fleet Compositions

Maggiore Baracca is at her peak effectiveness when deployed with other submarines, forming a powerful underwater unit:

• Submarine Allies: Leonardo da Vinci, U-47, Archerfish, or Albacore, all of whom enhance her Wolfpack Tactics ability.
• Surface Fleet Support: Pairing with ships capable of drawing enemy fire or providing air coverage—like aircraft carriers Enterprise or Aquila—can significantly boost overall combat success.

Both Raffaello and Maggiore Baracca provide unique strategic advantages that strengthen the Sardegna Empire’s fleet presence in Azur Lane. Raffaello, with her artistic theme and robust support capabilities, excels at safeguarding and boosting allied forces, making her indispensable in sustained engagements. Conversely, Maggiore Baracca offers unmatched stealth and offensive strength beneath the waves, capable of disrupting enemy formations and delivering decisive blows against high-value targets. By carefully selecting their equipment and strategically deploying them within suitable fleet compositions, commanders can greatly enhance their effectiveness, achieving impressive victories across various gameplay scenarios.

For optimal control, visuals, and an enhanced gaming experience, we strongly recommend you play Azur Lane on PC with BlueStacks.