Upgrade visual and usage of part based on kerbal skills

[Minarkhaios]

With the future update we will have new upgradable building and new kerbal experience system.

My suggestion is to kinda merge both to add a new functionality : upgrade permanently part visual and function.

I'm not suggesting to have better trust if jeb has the "confirmed pilot" trait.

I'm suggesting that part can be converted into something else (better/nicer/different).

For example :

- The lab can be converted into a land lab if landed and activated by a kerbal with the "lab builder" trait. The lab visual is replaced and is now a static lab.

- The static lab can be converted into an underground lab if activated by a kerbal with the "mole builder" trait. The lab visual is now replaced and is now covered in regolith to be protected from external hazards (just for visual fun).

- Solar panel can be upgraded (double the surface) by a kerbal with the "solar thingy expert" trait.

- Antenna can be upgraded to a better version by a kerbal with the "radio expert" trait.

In fact, any part can be upgraded to a better version (or just a nicer one) by the right kerbal.

These are just quick examples, I'm sure we can find a lot more.

There is of course the issue with "what to do with object linked to these parts ?".

Well ... based on the visual,

some can be integrated (for example, landed lab is just the lab with legs, so the rest stays as before),

and some just forbid the evolution (not enough space mainly).

That also implied that we need to add an "upgraded" option in the VAB to check if all fits correctly.

Is it a bit too much ?

edit : add "permanently" to clarify my point. thanks ObsessedWithKSP.

Edited November 7, 2014 by Minarkhaios

[BudgetHedgehog]

Squad have already said that kerbal experience will not be affecting parts (Max mentions engines there, but clarified later that it applies to all parts).

[Minarkhaios]

Squad have already said that kerbal experience will not be affecting parts (Max mentions engines there, but clarified later that it applies to all parts).

Hmmm, I might have not been clear enough. I'm aware of squad dropping the "experience will not affect part" statement. But I read it as : experience will not allow kerbal to increase TWR, or increase power, or anything that could perform change in the way the same part behave based on who use it.

I was just suggesting something more on the line of "part can be upgraded/extended/deployed, by manual action by the right kerbal". And only for a few that make sense. Extending a solar panel is ok, but increasing trust on the fly is not.

jeb can change the focus lens on hubble to a bigger one, not magically make the old one see better if jeb is looking in the visor (might not be the best illustration ..)

is it clearer ? (yes, I know, but it's not my mother's language)

[BudgetHedgehog]

Oh, like permanently upgrading a part, not just while Billybob is driving? Yeah, that makes more sense.. I kinda like that idea but it would have to be careful to not change things like, as you said, thrust or Isp etc. Sounds pretty neat, I like it.

[Minarkhaios]

That's exactly that ! I edit the first port to add this point of detail : "permanently"