An upgrade is a basic component that improves the ship passively. 

A ship can equip any number of upgrades provided they have enough component slots.

SHIELD
Upgrade

Provides a shield that regenerates over time when out of combat.  This is recommended for ships that frequently skirmish with the enemy using hit-and-run tactics.

Damage goes to shields first.

Name

• Shield       500 Shield.  Regen 5 shield per second. 4 mass.

• Heavy Shield 1200 Shield.  Regen 12 shield per second. 12 mass.

PLATING
Upgrade

Provides a layer of heavy plating to help reduce incoming damage.  This both provides a buffer of additional health and a substantial amount of block, but it is very heavy.

Damage goes to plating after shields but before structure.

Name

• Plating Adds 500 Plating, 8% Block and 4 mass.

• Heavy Plating Adds 1200 Plating, 19% Block and 12 mass.

MUNITIONS
Upgrade

Provides more advanced firepower for a ship.  This improves your ship's damage significantly, and range by a small amount.

Typically recommended for ships with at least two component slots worth of weaponry, since the damage bonus scales as a percentage.

Name

• Munitions Adds 25% Damage and 50 Range and 4 mass

• Heavy Munitions Adds 60% Damage and 120 Range and 12 mass