The opening technology screen shows why a larger gun can be a poor upgrade. The campaign offers 17-inch guns, but the existing 16.5-inch battery is preferred because the new weapon offers little benefit and would slow the design. This is a scenario judgment rather than a claim about a historical 17-inch weapon. It still captures the tradeoff between a marginal increase in firepower and penalties imposed on the whole ship.
Notable Point · 1:01-1:18
Why a larger gun can be the wrong upgrade
A 17-inch gun is rejected because it offers little benefit over the preferred 16.5-inch weapon and would slow the design.