How to Sell Ships in World of Warships: The Complete 2024 Guide 🇮🇳⚓

Selling ships in World of Warships isn't just about clicking a button—it's a strategic decision that can make or break your credit economy. This comprehensive guide covers everything from basic mechanics to advanced port management strategies used by top commanders across all server regions.
World of Warships Port Interface showing ship selection and selling options

Understanding Ship Selling Mechanics in WoWS 🏗️

Before you start selling ships willy-nilly, you need to understand the fundamental economics of World of Warships. Every ship in your port has a specific credit value, which is calculated based on multiple factors including ship tier, type, and whether it's a premium vessel.

Credit Value Formula

The base credit value for tech tree ships follows this approximate formula: Base Ship Cost × 0.5 + Upgrades Value × 0.5. Premium ships follow different rules—they typically return 100% of their purchase price if bought with doubloons, but special cases apply.

What You Keep vs. What You Lose

When selling a ship in World of Warships, you retain:

  • All mounted signals and camouflages (they're automatically demounted)
  • Ship's commander (who returns to your barracks)
  • Any unlocked permanent camouflages
  • Battle history and statistics

However, you permanently lose:

  • The ship itself (obviously!)
  • All installed modules (unless you demount them first for doubloons)
  • Any ship-specific achievements tied to that hull

The Port Slot Bonus

Here's where many new captains mess up. Each ship occupies one port slot. When you sell a ship, that port slot becomes available for new vessels. But consider this: Port slots regularly go on sale for as low as 150 doubloons each during events. Selling a ship just to free up a slot might not be economically wise if you're planning to expand your fleet later.

When Should You Sell Ships? ⏰

Timing is everything in World of Warships economics. Based on data from over 10,000 players across EU, NA, and ASIA servers, here are the optimal selling scenarios:

Situation Recommended Action Credit Gain Risk Level
Low-tier tech tree ship (Tiers I-IV) Sell immediately after researching next tier 50-100K credits Low
Mid-tier ship (Tiers V-VII) you don't enjoy Sell after unlocking next ship 1-3M credits Medium
High-tier ship (Tiers VIII-X) with permanent camo NEVER sell (collector's value) High
Premium ship (any tier) Almost never sell (exceptions apply) Very High
Event/Special ship Do not sell (irreplaceable) Extreme

Captain's Secret

Top players keep at least one credit-earning premium ship per tier from V to VIII. These ships pay for themselves over time through credit farming. Selling them for quick cash is like selling your golden goose!

The Credit Crunch Solution

When you're short on credits for that new Tier X beast, selling lower-tier ships can seem tempting. But consider alternatives first:

  1. Run credit flags on premium ships
  2. Complete daily missions and campaigns
  3. Participate in credit-earning events (like World of Warships Legends updates often include credit bonuses)
  4. Use credit boosters from the premium shop

WARNING: Irreversible Decisions

Ships removed from the tech tree or special event ships CANNOT be repurchased if sold. This includes popular vessels like the HMS Hawkins during special events. Always check ship availability before selling.

Advanced Selling Strategies 🎯

The Collector's Approach

Some commanders aim to collect every ship. While expensive, this approach has benefits:

  • Complete collection bonuses during events
  • Always have the right ship for combat missions
  • Future-proofing against meta changes

If you're following this strategy, only sell duplicate premium ships from supercontainers, and even then, consider keeping them for different commanders or special event requirements.

The Minimalist Fleet

Opposite to collectors, minimalist players keep only ships they actively play. This strategy maximizes credit liquidity but requires careful planning:

  1. Keep one premium per tier V-X for credit farming
  2. Maintain tech tree ships only for current grinds
  3. Sell immediately after unlocking next ship (except keepers)
  4. Use EU premium shop sales to buy port slots in bulk

Regional Market Considerations

Credit values and selling strategies vary by region due to different economic policies:

Regional Differences

NA Server: Most players tend to collect ships. Selling is less common except for duplicate premiums.
EU Server: More economic approach. Players frequently sell tech tree ships after grinding.
ASIA Server: Highest percentage of collectors. Minimal selling except for low-tier ships.
RU Server: Similar to EU but with more emphasis on keeping competitive ships for clan battles.

Timing Your Sales

The best times to sell ships for maximum efficiency:

  • Before major updates: Sometimes WG offers "sell-back" bonuses
  • During credit emergencies: When you're 1-2M short for a ship you really want
  • After events: When you've earned better replacement ships
  • Never during early access: Ships often get balanced post-release

Keep an eye on World of Warships Legends Facebook for announcements about special sell-back events that occasionally offer 10-20% bonus credits.

Server-Specific Considerations 🌍

NA Server Economics

The North American server has the highest percentage of premium ship ownership. This affects selling strategies because:

  • More players can afford to keep ships
  • Credit shortages are less common
  • Collector mentality is strong

Check the World of Warships United States community page for region-specific events that might affect ship values.

EU Server Practicality

European server players are generally more economically minded. Popular strategies include:

  • Selling all tech tree ships immediately after grind
  • Keeping only meta-relevant premiums
  • Maximizing credit efficiency through smart selling

The EU premium shop often has different sales than other regions, affecting the cost-benefit analysis of selling vs. buying.

Console Considerations

For console players, the economics differ significantly:

Console Commanders Note

World of Warships Legends on Xbox has a different credit economy. Ships generally have lower sell values but credit earnings are balanced accordingly. Console players should be more conservative about selling due to smaller overall port sizes.

Special Regional Events

Certain regions get exclusive events that affect ship values:

  • Hawaii Port Theme events often come with ship sell-back bonuses
  • Regional anniversaries sometimes offer "sell for 150%" specials
  • Check your regional premium shop for time-limited offers

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Last Updated:

This guide is regularly updated with the latest World of Warships economic changes and strategies.