v1.04 Update: Unit Experience
Originally intended for v1.05, we've been making some headway with what is shaping up to be a great new feature: Unit Experience. Player ships will earn experience based on the amount of enemy ships sunk, giving them a 1 to 5 star rating.
With each rating the vessel gains a series of additional bonuses as outlined in the diagram below to reflect the increased combat experience of the crew, and for carriers their air wings.
However if a ship is sunk, it loses 100% experience. If scuttled, it only loses 50%. Thus it may be better to abandon a ship rather than go down fighting in some situations.
An experienced vessel gains bonuses to speed and turning. In addition damage control is improved and the chances of losing the ship to a magazine/hanger explosion are reduced. Weapon accuracy is also increased, especially with improved RADAR accuracy and another new feature, the Wind Meter. Finally, experienced pilots of carrier air wings are more likely to come home and gain another new feature, bombsights, to get their bombs onto their target.
Screenshot below shows a 5 star carrier-launched bomber attacking a battleship. Note the Wind Meter (upper left) showing direction and strength (shade of blue) of wind as well as the green bombsight indicating bomb hit location.
We think it will be a great system to introduce many player suggestions such as the Wind Meter, Bombsights, better RADAR accuracy and increased anti-aircraft effectiveness.
