this^

I understand that, but what i'm saying is that by using heroes as engineers, and even delay classing them if you want extra repair etc, there really isn't much need for hero airlifts or landing forces, or even sonar or planes, baring in mind that in every room except WaW (HA included) they all cap out anyway, apart from engineer ability. (This is a bit of a guess with regards to Airlift/Landing as I couldn't find any information on their caps)

So really if you level as quick as you actually can on this server now, there's not really any need for +16 (elite) Potential, let alone higher.

I'm saying that this is about what is statistically correct.  The highest that can be rolled for non potential stats is +12. Elites at +13 are a step up from normal. Hero Sailors are +14, a step up from elites.

Following the statisticts and logic above, since +15 is the highest roll possible for the potential stat, elites should be and are a step up at +16, and the Hero Sailors should be a step up at +17. 

The point that I am trying to make is that the Hero Sailor should be the greatest sailor possible for all sailor classes. For that to happen, a +17 Potential stat is required.

I understand what you're saying. However I think you are missing the point that an elite potential is +16 and the rest +9, or an elite ft is +13 ft and the rest +9, whereas a hero sailor is +14 for everything.

I don't believe Hero was ever designed to be anything apart from an uber-secondary support sailor, i.e. a rep with amazing restore or an engi with amazing rep ability.

I think a +17 potential sailor would be ultimate overkill allowing even more ridiculous air-resupply times and allowing that ridiculous next tier of sonar ability to be reached by the super rich in NF.

Personally I think it's just another step towards total takeover of the P2P generation.

It's bad enough that atm it's very hard to compete with only a rolled crew without sitting for hours getting +12s or levelling to 120 lol.

Let me take on your paragraphs 1 by 1.

First Paragraph: All Facts

Second Paragraph: I have to disagree. The primary support stats make the Hero Sailor what is it. The uber secondary +14 stat is the icing on the cake.

Third Paragraph: I agree, but the best way to stop ridiculous air recharge and sonar is to make a topic in the suggestions requesting an ability cap.

Fourth Paragraph. I disagree. I've obtained most of my medals through events and WaW rooms. Probably <10 of my medals have come from olives. I know that people can boost and uber vet / expert these sailors, but that's where a topic requesting an ability cap would come in handy.

Fifth Paragraph. The only things on my KM BB Crew that are +12 are my scout and one of my engineers. I make my +9's, +10's, and +11's work for me. I've broken 240K attack in an at-level Bismark without the usage of smoke. No uber vetted crew.