Iron Blood

Lore & Background

In the game's setting, Iron Blood represents the German forces within an alternate World War II timeline. The source notes that their ships are part of a faction that includes vessels like the German destroyer Z23 (or Ayanami in some releases) and the battleship Bismarck, who is referenced as a key figure in the gameplay description regarding starter ships and fleet organization. The narrative begins with a recreation of the Battle of the Denmark Strait, where the British battlecruiser HMS Hood is sunk by characters representing these German forces. As one of the original members of the Azur Lane alliance comprising Eagle Union, Royal Navy, Sakura Empire, Iron Blood, Dragon Empery, Northern Parliament, Iris Orthodoxy, and Sardegna Empire, the faction eventually became part of a split in the alliance caused by an alien intervention involving the Sirens.

In Their Own Story

The game opens with an anthropomorphic recreation of the Battle of the Denmark Strait. In this sequence, the personification of the British battlecruiser HMS Hood is sunk by characters representing the Iron Blood forces. This event sets the stage for the conflict within the alternate timeline. Later, as players progress through Operation Siren, announced on December 14, 2020, they confront AI-controlled enemies that include special combat nodes known as Treasure Fleets. The narrative involves organizing fleets of six ships to navigate grid-like maps, where Iron Blood characters can be placed in the back row alongside battleships and aircraft carriers or the front row if they are destroyers or cruisers.

Reader's Guide

To effectively use Iron Blood ships, players must organize them into fleets of six, adhering to formation rules: Destroyers, light cruisers, and heavy cruisers occupy the front row, while battleships, battlecruisers, and aircraft carriers go in the back. German destroyers like Z23 can be selected as starter ships alongside USS Laffey and HMS Javelin. These characters gain experience points through battles, commissions, or by being placed in the Dormitory to recover morale. Players must manage fuel and ammo points carefully; running out of ammo reduces damage output by half. In player-versus-player modes, Iron Blood fleets can be organized as defense or offense teams, though battles are controlled entirely by AI. Submarine systems introduced in May 2018 added German U-boats to the roster, expanding tactical options for anti-submarine warfare.

Did You Know?

• The game begins with a recreation of the Battle of the Denmark Strait where HMS Hood is sunk by Iron Blood forces.
• Iron Blood includes ships from the German Navy, such as the battleship Bismarck and destroyer Z23.
• The alliance split involving Iron Blood was caused by an alien intervention by the Sirens.
• Submarine systems featuring German U-boats were introduced to the game in May 2018.