Atlanta is a Tier VII American cruiser that plays like a "tweener"; she can be used as a slightly under-gunned light cruiser, or she can be played as "heavy" destroyer.

Success in game depends on finding the sweet spot between the two. At 27,500 HP and a good chance that one of the heavyweights on the enemy team will hit critical areas if given a clean shot, it's best to weave through friendly traffic, get in close (the 5-inch main guns have a range of a touch over 11km) and spray whatever target is a priority with HE rounds. She'll do far more damage with fire than she will with actual shell impacts. AP rounds are highly situational with this ship as they will only penetrate broadside targets at point-blank range (less than 5km); however, they can be utterly devastating if her captain knows when to use them.

Atlanta - and her sister ship, Flint - are unique in the game in that they have unlimited charges of the Defensive AA Fire consumable. When coupled with her excellent anti-aircraft armament, she utterly shreds enemy planes. As of patch 0.5.9.0, Atlanta has also been given access to the Surveillance Radar consumable, making her an even bigger threat to enemy destroyers.

LittleWhiteMouse's Premium Ship Review: Atlanta from the NA forums