The only category the NM30 outperforms the Guam in is firepower.  And as you've accurately pointed out, that's no advantage at all in an environment where most enemy BB outrange you.

Guam doesn't hit hard, but its one of the best BB1 out there because of speed and AA armament.  Hang back and snipe at everything that comes within range with your 12" guns and your 5"/38 mk38L AA guns, then when the enemy is blind, rush in to score some real attack.

The NM line is actually a completly different expirence than the guam line. I have BO's for both. For the NM line you have remods for both the penn and the tenn, the guns have lower angles and on average do a bit more damage. These ships are around the same size as their alaska line brothers (similar most fatter and shorter) are great for rushing.

Low angle guns are great, the line also has pretty good AA capability. Really the end result on both ends are a bit disappointing. The sodak is awesome @ 47knts if you could hit the side of a barn (lv110 gunners)

Norcal is amazing because it outranges and is more of a kiteship rather than a rush and run ship. IMO the norcal is a better ship to prepare you for the iowa and monty. Play styles are the same, wait for the oppurtunity to bait someone...pretend to rush to get them to chase then kile the crap out of them. GG

In the end both lines are good. The alaska line has speed and aa. Ships are very rounded and good but don't provide the kind of difficulty you will have to get used to very quickly. You have the ultimate decision to make, longer range/firepower with slower speed and a glass jaw, or the sodak witch is a machine...if you know what your doing and have the proper supports.

I have grinded all 4 US BB Lines.

I have to say, the Guam was my favorite US BB1:

Here is how I ranked BB1-3 in terms of which I believed performed the best of the tier for USN:

BB1s:

Guam>Pennsyvania>Nevada>New Mexico>Tennesse>Alaska

BB2s:

Colorado>Pennsyvania>Tennesse>New Mexico 1945

BB3:

Sodak>NorCal

Reasons: BB1: Guam can easily dodge salvos, even at 30 degrees from the other BB1s, it can easily sneak in and out of range and it basicly OH Caps out of the box and its CV engine gives it plenty of OH, the Penny has nice firepower like the Nevada, NM and Tenny, but has excellent turn rate and can easily out maneuver anything; the Tenny is slightly slower turn wise and less submergence but still great; New Mexico 30 quite honestly sucks and its remodel compared to the other BB2s really has no advantages; The Alaska has very limited ammo with the Ls, doesn't hit hard, has horrible spread for most players and has a horrible glass jaw.

Reasons: BB2: Colorado is just all around the Best USN BB2, It can run 14" trips, 16" duals, it speed caps @ 44 knots, it turns 2nd best for USN BB2s only behind the penny, its small, has a great AA battery and after lvl 75 great spread for a BB2, The Mark 7Ls spread really hurt the other 3 but the Penny negates it with its speed cap right out of the box, with excellent firepower, quick nimble movements and a small hitbox, its a force to reckon with, the tennessee is like a Penny/Colorado hybrid, slightly weaker than both, it can mix key elements of the other 2 and put them together; the New Mexico's spread really kills it but its still got decent speed and is pretty usable for those to lazy to grind to 70 in the guam and just get the Colorado which outclasses the NM in every way.

Reasons: BB3: The Sodak, withs its great speed advantage can easily rush into belt range and out manuver any ship. Its great firepower with ~40k salvos can rip apart teams in seconds with some great shots. The spread is a little iffy at low level but with a seamen, blocking in the sodak can hurt like no other. The CV engine also gives the sodak great OH time and the ability to rush or run for very long periods of time; The NorCal is fast @ 45 for its range, but the spread even with a seamen and 120 gunners sucks. Never mind the horrid glass jaw and hugh hitbox compared to the sodak and Iowa.

Favorite 2 classing lines:

Alaska->Guam->Colorado->South Dakota->Iowa->Montana->Nebraska

Nevada->Pennslyvania 1930->Pennslyvania 1941->North Carolina->Iowa->Montana->Nebraska

Tenny remod is a monster...Realised this when leveling some of my foregin supports. Super tight spread now 43knts 900sd 14'' guns @ 40degrees. Felt like RM fighting style lol.