In the world of naval strategy mobile games, Azur Lane continues to captivate players with its expansive roster of anthropomorphized warships, each with distinct abilities, aesthetics, and tactical value. Among the latest to gain attention is USS Franklin, a carrier hailing from the Eagle Union. But how does she stack up against her fellow faction members like Essex, Saratoga, or Enterprise? In this guide, we explore Franklin’s unique attributes, how she fits into a team, and how she compares with other carriers under the same banner.

Franklin’s Skill Set and Combat Profile

USS Franklin boasts a versatile skill kit focused on consistency and self-sustainability, positioning her as a dependable backline support unit. Her key strength lies in providing stable airstrike damage while slightly enhancing the survivability of allies during long fights. Compared to Essex, who specializes in direct burst damage, Franklin’s approach is more gradual, prioritizing sustained output over sudden impact.

Her air raid cooldowns are balanced and allow her to synergize well with vanguard fleets that favor prolonged engagements. Unlike Enterprise’s iconic “Lucky E” skill, which provides a chance-based critical airstrike, Franklin ensures reliability and less dependence on RNG mechanics.

Comparing Franklin with Other Eagle Union Carriers

When comparing Franklin to Saratoga (Retrofit), Franklin trades flashy special effects for raw consistency. Saratoga provides crowd control and AoE stun effects, whereas Franklin’s gameplay favors players who want a reliable damage dealer who’s always ready to contribute rather than occasionally shine.

In contrast, Essex remains one of the top-tier Eagle Union carriers due to her powerful burn damage over time and synergy with high burst vanguards. Franklin doesn’t outperform Essex in damage output but does offer smoother uptime and consistent utility across different fleet setups.

When looking at Enterprise, still one of the best general-use carriers in the game, Franklin does not rival her burst damage or her chance-based invincibility. However, Franklin can outperform Enterprise in matches where consistent pressure matters more than chance-based crits.

Fleet Synergies and Team Placement

Franklin pairs exceptionally well with units that benefit from sustained air coverage rather than sporadic bursts. For example, players building compositions for auto-battle or grind-heavy maps might prefer her over riskier carriers like Enterprise. Her best allies are defensive vanguard ships or healers that stretch fights long enough for her to maximize her airstrike rotations.

For players looking to integrate Franklin into a solid Eagle Union lineup, our Late Game Ships Guide offers insights into which high-performing units complement her playstyle best.

Event and Future Potential

Franklin’s recent buffs and appearance in limited-time events have made her more accessible and desirable. Her updated stats make her more than a mid-tier option and allow her to stand toe-to-toe with veterans of the Eagle Union fleet. For a broader look at balance changes and future additions, check out this guide on Upcoming Meta Ships.

Where Franklin Shines the Brightest

Franklin thrives in campaign stages and PvE encounters that value reliability and damage-over-time. In operations where vanguard units require cover from air raids, Franklin’s skill timing and moderate damage output provide the perfect support. While she might not be the first pick for competitive PvP fleets, she excels in longer battles and farming stages, where consistency becomes key.

For a holistic view of the top ships in Azur Lane, including tier placements for carriers like Franklin, this tier list can help players decide how she fits into the meta.

Franklin may not outshine the legends of the Eagle Union fleet, but she brings something different to the table: calm, calculated, and consistent combat performance. For players tired of RNG-dependent carriers, she’s a welcome addition. As Azur Lane continues to evolve, having a well-rounded carrier like Franklin ensures your team is equipped for both the present meta and what lies ahead.

And for an optimized experience, playing Azur Lane on BlueStacks offers better controls, performance, and multitasking for fleet management and long event runs.