Azur Lane, a hybrid side-scrolling shoot ‘em up and naval RPG, continues to enrich its fleet with exciting shipgirls inspired by real-world vessels. Among the latest additions is USS Franklin, a historical Essex-class aircraft carrier reimagined as a high-impact combatant in the Eagle Union faction. Known for her fierce resilience in naval history, Franklin brings that same spirit into Azur Lane through a powerful skill set and versatile fleet applications.

For longtime players and newcomers exploring late-game ship strategies, Franklin adds another layer of tactical depth and fleet flexibility—especially in air superiority builds or mixed fleet formations.

USS Franklin: Background and Rarity

As an SSR aircraft carrier, Franklin represents both prestige and performance. Her design and character model embody classic Eagle Union motifs, complete with bold personality traits and thematic visuals. Her introduction in limited construction makes her a prize for collectors and strategists alike, especially those optimizing their meta fleet compositions.

Base Stats and Initial Impressions

USS Franklin boasts high HP and decent reload time, allowing her to launch strikes frequently and with devastating force. Her aviation stat is where she truly shines, positioning her as a top contender in airstrike-focused team comps. Her anti-air stat is moderate, but when paired with support units like Independence or Essex, she contributes significantly to air dominance on harder maps.

Skill Set Breakdown

Franklin’s unique skills elevate her from a standard carrier to a battlefield game-changer. Her first skill boosts her aviation stat dramatically at the start of battle and reduces cooldown on her first airstrike. This allows players to front-load damage and maintain tempo, especially in PvE stages where opening strikes can turn the tide early.

Her second skill, which triggers additional bombing runs after her main airstrike lands, introduces a damage-over-time mechanic that synergizes well with fire-based or AoE-focused teams. Combined with other Eagle Union carriers, she creates a barrage-heavy frontline that wears down even the tankiest enemy waves.

Best Team Setups for Franklin

Franklin pairs exceptionally well with other carriers or support ships that enhance aviation stats and reload speed. Think Enterprise, Essex, or even support cruisers like San Diego (Retrofit) who can boost anti-air coverage while Franklin focuses on pure damage. For players aiming to construct budget-friendly but effective fleets, she can also synergize with more accessible ships like Saratoga (Retrofit), provided you’re aiming to stretch resources without sacrificing performance.

Those interested in optimizing team performance across campaign maps, events, and PvP should also explore the latest tier list to see where Franklin slots in alongside other SSR ships.

Where USS Franklin Excels

Franklin’s strongest contributions are in mid-to-late game maps where enemy aircraft or clustered waves demand high burst damage and reliable airstrikes. She’s also a solid pick in Operation Siren fleets when paired with aviation-boosting gear. Her performance is consistent across different fleet formations, and her low cooldowns ensure she’s almost always contributing actively to the damage output.

Unlocking and Building USS Franklin

As she is a limited banner unit, unlocking Franklin may take a few cubes. Focus on construction pools during her availability window, and prioritize aviation gear in the retrofit tree once she’s recruited. Franklin benefits significantly from upgrades to her launch time and aviation damage, so gear her with dive bombers and auxiliary equipment that improve reload and crit rates.

USS Franklin is a welcome addition to Azur Lane’s ever-growing cast, and her ability to consistently deliver powerful strikes makes her invaluable in many combat scenarios. Whether you’re an Eagle Union loyalist or simply building a versatile aviation-based fleet, Franklin is a shipgirl worth investing in. For the best gaming experience, try playing Azur Lane on BlueStacks, which offers a bigger screen and smoother gameplay.