For players who spend hours obsessing over their naval Order of Battle (OOB), the 1.17.5 patch brings much-needed historical accuracy. Specifically, the US naval OOBs have been updated to split the Pennsylvania Class, and new historical ship designs have been added for the UK and Australia. These changes, paired with the new SFX and VFX for naval combat, make the struggle for the Pacific feel significantly more immersive than the base game's generic assets.
The UI improvements are the real hero for the micro-managers among us. The division designer’s model selector screen has been rebuilt from the ground up, making it easier to navigate through your growing library of 3D assets. On the mechanical side, the balance team has tweaked faction influence gain and improved AI production logic. Notably, Germany's industrial output and the United States' naval template priorities have been sharpened to ensure the mid-to-late game remains a challenge.
While this update solidifies the naval meta, the developers also confirmed they are already collaborating with veteran modders on the next Focus Pack, titled 'Peace for our Time.' For now, the focus remains on the high seas. Whether you're optimizing Australian escort fleets or managing the US carrier groups, these 1.17.5 changes provide the depth and polish the Pacific theater has long deserved.
Soren