User blog comment:FlammeumDraco333/Tales From the Not so Blocky Seas/@comment-24903406-20160128180935/@comment-27822411-20160129060015

As much as the Mariya sucks, and trust me: it does, if you don't upgrade from the Kirov, you will take forever to get the Stalingrad. Luckly for me, I had to grind it through only 2 levels, since I chose the Lv29 cruiser and was able to get the 14inch guns and play this rather bad ship for only 2 levels. You however will have to get the Mariya if you want to get the Stalingrad. Unless you are willing to only receive 1/10 of the EXP and REXP that you earn with the Kirov for quite a few levels to get it.