One of a kind! She had six 155mm guns for the main surface action armament. Also, she had eight of the dual-purpose 100mm guns in four twin turrets (mainly designed as anti-aircraft weapons). The rear deck of the cruiser was dedicated to scouting aircraft launch and recovery - note the large hanger space (the large rectangular superstructure aft of the single smokestack). In this manner Oyodo was much like modern warships! Although, modern warships utilize helicopters.

Oyodo was the flagship of Admiral Ozawa when he lured away Admiral Bull Halsey's Fifth Fleet during the Battle of Leyte Gulf. This allowed a very strong IJNS surface action group to approach the American invasion fleet at Leyte Gulf. Attacks by American naval air forces and the efforts of American destroyers (acting like heavy cruisers) and destroyer escorts playing the parts of actual destroyers so confused the attacking Japanese that their admiral decided to retreat in the face of such fierce opposition.

So, Admiral Ozawa's efforts to lure away the American fleet had little effect.