Upgrade system

**Upgrade system** is one of the core game mechanics in Disney Speedstorm. It allows players to empower their Racers and get advantage while competing against AI controlled characters in various Singleplayer campaigns and other players in Ranked Multiplayer.

## Overview

All characters in the roster have 5 statistics: Top Speed, Acceleration, Handling, Boost and Combat. Each of them is responsible for enhancing one of the aspects of racing:

* **Top Speed**: Maximum speed of a Racer.
* **Acceleration**: How fast a Racer accelerates.
* **Handling**: How well a Racer turns & drifts.
* **Boost**: How long a Racer’s boost lasts, the rate of nitro consumption.
* **Combat**: The duration of stun applied when hitting or being hit by rival Racers.

The bigger the numbers for each statistics, the stronger the character is.

There are **3 ways to empower Racers**:

1. Upgrading character level;
2. Increasing Star Tier;
3. Adding Crew Members.

### **01: Upgrading character level**

Each new upgrade level enhances **ONE** statistics which rotate every 5 levels (5 statistics = 5 levels). Each Class has a different sequence, but they all increase one of the numbers with each upgrade level. The statistics that is about to be increased has an extra *+number* next to it.

* Upgrading Racers is available from the beginning of the game.
* A certain Upgrade level is required to complete missions in various Game modes such as Starter Circuit, Season Tour and Limited Events.
* Upgrading Racers requires **Upgrade materials** which can be earned through playing or bought in the Shop. Upgrade materials can be Common, Rare or Epic.
	1. Common materials can be generic (for all Racers) or Class specific (for all Speedsters, Tricksters, Defenders or Brawlers).

	Example:
		+ is for all Racers,
		+ is for all Tricksters,
	2. Rare materials can be Collection specific or Collection Class specific.

	Example:
		+ is for all the Racers in the Mickey and Friends Collection,
		+ is for all the Brawlers in the Mickey and Friends Collection.
	3. Epic materials are Racer specific.

	Example:
		+ is for Hercules only and  is for Randall only.

* To learn how to get a certain Upgrade material that is missing, the player needs to click the button in the bottom left corner:

### **02: Increasing Star Tier**

**Star Tier** is how many stars the Racer has. Each Racer starts with 1 star, and players slowly collect more character fragments known as Shards to star up the Racer.

Increasing the Star Tier is a must for the following reasons:

1. Each Star Tier caps the Upgrade level. One-star characters **cannot** go past level 15.
2. Star Tier 3, 4 and 5 unlock extra spots for Crew Members.
3. Star Tier 2 **unlocks Unique Skills** while Star Tier 3, 4 and 5 increase their level.
4. Each Star Tier empowers 2/4 common Skills and increases their level.

The table below provides information on the dependence between the Star Tier and the other points:

Increasing the Star Tier is done by collecting Racer Shards. Shards can be obtained through playing various Game modes, bought in the Shop or received from Boxes. To learn about the available options, press the button on the left:

### **03: Crew Members**

**Crew Members** amplify Racer statistics and boost Skills. Unlocking Crew Members works the same way as unlocking Racers with Shards from Game modes, Shop or Boxes.

1. Common Crew increase **1 statistics** and boost **1 common skill**.
2. Rare Crew increase **2 statistics** and boost **1 common skill**.
3. Epic Crew increase **all statistics**, start the race with **1 common skill** and boost the **Unique skill**.

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