Vanguard - experience is also a function of the probable results of the combat. I've had my initial Survey Ship to level 10 (everything from 6 and above is just called "godlike"), but that's on a tiny galaxy where there wasn't much junk to harvest and the action got hot and heavy in the early going. On a huge galaxy game, I got USS Hero to attack 37, defense 112, hit points 125, but no higher than level three, even though it took out five dreadnaughts and a ranger in two turns.
A dreadnaught plinking freighters won't acquire much experience at all, for that reason.
There is also a time factor, as points to get to the next level decline slowly, so a ship that has long breaks between fights doesn't acquire much experience.
Experience needs to be tweaked somewhat, but it does help your early ships stay viable - I just finished a game where the first half, I was militarily behind, but could use starbase enhancements and corvettes to hold of battle cruisers and frigates, while I concentrated on building my economy. I had a bunch of corvettes in the level 4-5-6 range, and the extra attack and defend points you get are useful. With a battleship class or higher, it really doesn't matter.
A dreadnaught plinking freighters won't acquire much experience at all, for that reason.
There is also a time factor, as points to get to the next level decline slowly, so a ship that has long breaks between fights doesn't acquire much experience.
Experience needs to be tweaked somewhat, but it does help your early ships stay viable - I just finished a game where the first half, I was militarily behind, but could use starbase enhancements and corvettes to hold of battle cruisers and frigates, while I concentrated on building my economy. I had a bunch of corvettes in the level 4-5-6 range, and the extra attack and defend points you get are useful. With a battleship class or higher, it really doesn't matter.
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