Captains, the seas are calling—World of Warships' King of the Sea XVIII tournament is here, kicking off registration from October 17 to October 29, 2025. This 9v9 Tier X showdown bans carriers and submarines, focusing on raw naval tactics that could redefine your clan's strategies. With King Tokens up for grabs through missions and Twitch Drops, you'll snag rewards that boost your fleet's edge in everyday matches.
Tournament Format and Rules Breakdown
In KOTS XVIII, teams battle in 9v9 format using Tier X ships, but forget about carriers and submarines—they're out. Specific bans like the X Amiral Lartigue mean you'll need to rethink lineups, pushing for more diverse destroyer and cruiser plays. This setup rewards precise coordination, turning matches into high-stakes tests of positioning and firepower management.
What Ships Are Restricted in KOTS XVIII?
Besides the carrier and sub bans, certain ships face restrictions to keep things balanced. It forces players to adapt, potentially uncovering underrated vessels that shine in team comps. For clans, this means practicing alternative builds now to avoid getting caught off-guard in the regional stage starting November 1, 2025.
Earning Rewards as a Viewer or Player
Even if you're not competing, King Tokens come via combat missions from November 1, 2025, and Twitch Drops during streams. Redeem them for goodies like the permanent camouflage for X C. Colombo, which not only looks sharp but improves concealment stats for stealthy approaches. This ties directly into meta shifts, making Italian battleships more viable in random battles.
How Do King Tokens Impact Your Gameplay?
These tokens let you grab exclusive items that enhance ship performance without grinding endlessly. For casual players, it's a low-effort way to upgrade your favorites, while pros can use them to fine-tune tournament-ready fleets. Watch the international stage from November 15, 2025, to rack up drops and stay ahead of emerging tactics.
More Action in Update 14.9
Alongside KOTS, Update 14.9 brings the Trafalgar Day Event and Brawl 2 in 3v3 Tier VIII format. These add quick, intense sessions that complement the tournament's scale, letting you test skills in smaller skirmishes. It's a smart way to warm up for KOTS or just enjoy variety without the full commitment.
For the full list of changes, head over to the official World of Warships website.