Most efficient way to level up pilots?

[jpinard]

I'm stuck at level 3 and really want to get to level 4 and 5.  Are there some things you can do that really boost their exp a lot?  I finished a mission recently and was bummed to see my pilot got no exp from it.  Are there any tricks to leveling up scientists and engineers too?

Thanks

[Reinhart Mk.1]

For a pilot I believe you have to land and make it back from a celestial body you've never been to before AND return to level your Kerbal pilots up, I think just entering a sphere of influence might count too buuuut I'm not 100%

 

Edit: here's the wiki, and it applies to all kerbals variants
second edit: i never actually put the link oops lol

https://wiki.kerbalspaceprogram.com/wiki/Experience

Edited July 31, 2019 by Reinhart Mk.1

[Geschosskopf]

On 7/30/2019 at 5:41 PM, jpinard said:

I'm stuck at level 3 and really want to get to level 4 and 5.  Are there some things you can do that really boost their exp a lot?  I finished a mission recently and was bummed to see my pilot got no exp from it.  Are there any tricks to leveling up scientists and engineers too?

Thanks

All Kerbals gain experience the same way.  Each celestial body provides XP for doing various things there the 1st time for any given Kerbal.  For instance, getting to orbit at Kerbin.  1st time for any new Kerbal, this gives 6 XP which is enough for Level 1, but subsequent times orbiting Kerbin give that same Kerbal zero more points.

Reaching Level 4 requires 32 XP.  So, you can look at the table @Reinhart Mk.1 linked and see what it takes to get 32 XP.  Not shown on that table is the XP for being in solar orbit, which is 6 I think.  So, probably the quickest way to get a new pilot 32 XP is to:

• Launch into LKO (6 XP)
• Fly to Duna (6 XP IIRC for solar orbit while en route)
• Plant flags on both Duna and Ike (25 XP total).

Of course, that just gets you the XP.  You still have to apply it.  By default, this can only happen by the Kerbal either returning safely to KSC or by using the "Level Up" button of an MPL.  However, when starting a new game, you have the option to allow Kerbals to level-up immediately and automatically whenever they get enough XP

[Snark]

On 7/30/2019 at 3:41 PM, jpinard said:

I'm stuck at level 3 and really want to get to level 4 and 5.  Are there some things you can do that really boost their exp a lot?

Go to other planets and moons in the solar system.  It's the only way.

Visiting Mun and Minmus will get you to level 2.  If you want to get to level 3, you need to visit Mun/Minmus and at least peek outside Kerbin's SoI.

But to get to anything higher than 3, you're going to need to visit the other bodies in the solar system.  Level 5's going to require visiting multiple bodies.

 

On a somewhat related note, something to be aware of:  one handy ability of the big crewed science lab, other than its science functionality, is as a training center.  I mention this just because a lot of players aren't aware of it-- it's one of KSP's lesser-known features.  If you have a science lab with you, then when you visit Duna-or-wherever, you can put your kerbals (any profession, doesn't have to be a scientist) into the science lab and train them up.  That allows them to raise their level immediately and locally, without having to schlep all the way back to kerbin for the level increase. 

[EDIT]  ha, ninja'd!