Exactly. Most people don't choose the NO over the Balti or vice versa because they want
either the NO or the Balti. They choose it for the ships that come after it like the SoDak
or NorCal. But then again, with the PBBs BB123 are all rendered useless so perhaps the
biggest deciding factor from now on would be NO or Balti.

my reply to this question is simple what line do you want to be on?? lol you want the
nevada or the alaska/guam?? you want the NM30/45, or the tenny's/penny's?? you
want the SoDak or the NC?? it's as simple as that, CA's don't matter that much NO,
you'll be into Pensa 5 levels later, and balti is about that

With my crew at level 49/50, I can fit 4.4" of deck + AA (5"/25 =P ) on my N.O., and
it's quite a fun ship. Conversely, you can also fit 9.7" of belt and rush in Blitz and
watch most ammo bounce off =D

Edited on June 10th: This was using CA Engine III.

NO, great spread, I run Heavy with 5.3 " of deck 25/35 used it all the way thro bliz rooms
then GB2 room untile I could get the Tennessee 1941, and I still have my NO, love that ship.

^ agree with everyone

However, If your going BB then you run into the Nevada!
...
...
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Oh, ya that ship is no longer valid, you get the PBB. Sorry.

I grinded for months to get to the NO ,and I love it.NO all the way!

new orleans is tiny, and very difficult to hit. baltimore, however, is six feet shorter
than a sodak. lawl. also, new orleans can AW or speedwhore. it does not need the range
balty has because it is faster and harder to hit, or armored and harder to hit. new
orleans ftw! btw, dont even think about portland. its even fatter than balty. easy target.

Balti is friggin huge also, and the turrent spacing gives it bad spread. In my county i
fear NO's much much more than even blocking balts

Balt carries Mk14L with 5 binds
NO only gets 3
Balt has useable AA
NO does not

Balt advantages end there.

New Orleans can be 1 of 3 things.

1) A great armored CA w/USN CA engine and about 3.5" deck
2) An insane armor whore w/DDIII engine and 5+" deck
3) A speed whore w/USN CA engine, 0 armor, 52+ knots

So it fits a broad array of play styles.

I went NO and greatly prefer it over the Baltimore.