[PvK]

The engine limits per ship in Proportions have the effect of limiting the range of operations of capital ships. Also, with two main classes of engines at each tech level (specialized either for speed or for efficiency), there are trade-offs between range and speed. The result is that the deadlier fleets have considerable supply requirements, while slower and smaller ship designs can operate at more extended range from a supply source or tanker fleet. In turn, this means that developing and protecting a supply network can determine where and when you can deploy the fastest and most powerful ship designs.

The limits on max engines per hull size provide another trade-off between small and large ships in terms of maximum speed, and are one of several trade-offs that give small ships a continued role at higher tech levels.

PvK