Wargaming is handing players a direct choice in their latest holiday promotion, bypassing the usual loot box mechanics for high-tier acquisitions. In a significant move for the holiday season, World of Warships is offering a selection of five specific Tier IX ship bundles, allowing you to pick exactly which vessel you want to add to your port.
What's in the Bundle?
Unlike standard giveaways that often focus on lower tiers or specific rentals, this event locks in permanent ownership of a Tier IX ship. While the full list of five ships offers variety, the bundle structure is consistent across the board. Once you make your selection, you receive:
- 1 Tier IX Ship (of your choice from the 5 options)
- 2 Santa’s Gift Containers
- 2 New Year’s Permanent Camouflages
The inclusion of Santa's Gift Containers adds a layer of potential value on top of the ship itself, as these boxes have their own drop tables for premium ships, coal, and other resources. However, the guaranteed value here is clearly the Tier IX hull.
Analyzing the Choices: Izumo and Riga
Among the confirmed options, the IJN Izumo and Soviet Riga stand out for very different playstyles. If you are looking to fill a gap in your roster, here is how they fit into the current meta:
The Izumo (Japanese Battleship): Historically the black sheep of the Japanese line, the Izumo has seen buffs over the years that have solidified its position. It features high-velocity guns with excellent penetration and ballistics. It rewards a mid-to-long-range playstyle, punishing broadsides with impressive accuracy. If you enjoy the sniper gameplay of the Yamato line, this is a solid pick.
The Riga (Soviet Cruiser): This heavy cruiser acts more like a pocket battleship. It brings 220mm guns and strong bow armor, making it excellent for holding flanks and punishing cruisers that get too close. It struggles with a long reload time for a cruiser and poor dispersion at long range, but its radar utility and tankiness make it a menace in contested caps.
Which Bundle Should You Pick?
If you don't own any of the offered ships, the choice comes down to economy and playstyle. Tier IX is a sweet spot for credit earning if you have the right permanent modifiers, and matchmaking often sees you top-tier against Tier VIIs. If you prefer static, tanky gameplay, grab the Riga. If you want to influence the map from range, the Izumo is the superior choice.