Build times

[Grand_Armee]

When building ships, I've noticed that build times are the same for dock levels 1, 3, and 5.
9 turns for a frigate, and 14 turns for a Hv. Ship. I don't see much point in upgrading docks at all if the difference between level one and level 5 is nil.

...historically, I imagine it takes a fair bit of time to build even a wooden ship and get the crews trained and tested.

For Guards, 18 turns seems to be the standard amount as well.

Is it supposed to be this way?

[Naomi]

Is 6 turns reasonably short for a privateer? Plymouth or Brest can easily crank out such pirates so fast. The time reductions for heavy ships seem not be so obvious. I hardly built frigates; instead, I captured them in occupied or ceded ports.

[thufir]

I do believe that the build time reduction works as advertised. I know it does not apply to merchants, and it seems from your obvservations (and I think I've seen this as well), that it does not apply Guards.

I have seen it working for heavy ships, its just that they have such a long build time that it may not seem like much (but I think maxing out a dock really does pay off). Another complicating factor is that I think there is some type of penalty for adding 2d or 3d units into the queue, so you may be missing the benefit if your comparing 2d builds to 1st builds. I'm not sure what the formula for penalties on additional builds is.

All in all, playing as France and trying to build up a fleet to contest England's control of the sea, I'd say building docks in specific locations pays off. I think there is a morale benefit along with build time benefit, although I can't say that for sure as I was playing with my draft at the same time I was building up my docks, so I can't really say for sure which effect came from what.

[Naomi]

Docks' levels have no effect on vessels' morale for the time being.