Conclusion
Remodeling (改造, Kaizō; the game also says 改装, Kaisō) is how a ship moves to its next form — for example 夕立 → 夕立改 → 夕立改二. It unlocks at a set level, costs ammo and steel, and takes effect instantly with no dock time.
Going by the wiki's rules, the things that trip people up are: you can't skip a stage, you need at least 4 free equipment slots, modernization bonuses reset (except luck, HP and ASW), and some remodels need items such as blueprints.
How to Remodel
- 1From the home port, open Refit (改装, Kaisō).
- 2Pick the ship. If it has reached its remodel level, the Remodel (改造) button becomes available.
- 3Check the cost: ammo and steel, plus any items listed (development materials, Instant Construction, equipment, blueprints).
- 4Confirm. The change is immediate — the new form, stats and starting equipment appear right away.
What Changes When You Remodel
| Thing | What happens |
|---|---|
| Stats | Almost always go up. Right after remodeling, firepower, torpedo, AA and armor can vary a little, but they all reach a fixed higher value as the ship levels. |
| Modernization bonuses | Reset — except luck, HP and ASW, which carry over. Modernize after the remodel you plan to keep, not before. |
| Level and EXP | Carried over. Remodeling later than the minimum level doesn't cost you stats. |
| HP, fuel, ammo | Fully restored. Fatigue is set to a fixed value, so sparkle is lost. |
| Equipment | Your old gear goes back to storage and the ship brings its own new starting gear — some of which you can't get any other way. |
| Slots and planes | Equipment slots stay the same or increase. For carriers, the total plane count stays the same or rises, but individual slots can shrink. |
| Running costs | Fuel and ammo use usually rises. That's why some players keep expedition ships unremodeled. |
| Ship type and name | Can change (e.g. light cruiser → torpedo cruiser). Check expeditions and quests that need the old type first. |
Why a Remodel Button Won't Work
- Fewer than 4 free equipment slots. The game warns you and refuses. Discard some gear first.
- A stage was skipped. Even at level 48, 那珂 (Naka) has to become 那珂改 before 那珂改二. There's no jumping ahead.
- A required item is missing. Blueprints (改装設計図), Prototype Flight Deck Catapults (試製甲板カタパルト) and Action Reports (戦闘詳報) are common requirements for higher remodels.
- The equipment it consumes is locked. If a remodel eats a piece of gear, unlock it in the equipment list first.
- Not enough ammo or steel. Big ships cost more.
Getting Blueprints
A Blueprint (改装設計図, Kaisō Sekkeizu) is usually made by trading 4 medals (勲章, Kunshō) from the item screen. Medals come from clearing the end-of-world maps each month (up to 7 a month) and from some quests. A few quests and events give blueprints directly.
The wiki counts 103 blueprints needed across every ship that uses them, so medals are a long-term budget. Pick which remodels to spend them on — see Which Ships to Remodel First.
FAQ
Should I remodel the moment a ship hits the level?
Usually yes for combat ships. One tip from the wiki: if a ship at its remodel level is badly damaged, remodeling restores its HP for free instead of paying for repairs.
Can I undo a remodel?
Normal remodels are one-way. Some ships have convert remodels (コンバート改装) that let you switch between two forms, at a resource cost each time.
Why did my carrier lose planes?
The remodel changed the slot sizes. The total is the same or higher, but planes in a shrunken slot can't all be refilled.
Do I need to modernize again after remodeling?
Yes, except for luck, HP and ASW. That's why it's usually better to modernize after the final remodel you plan to use.
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More KanColle guides
KanColle guide home · 1-5 Guide: Fleet and Anti-Submarine Tips · 1-6 Guide: Route and Fleet · 2-4 Guide: Okinoshima Sea Area · 2-5 Guide: North and South Routes · Construction: Build Time Lookup & Recipes · Daily Quests: Full List and Routine · Dock Full? Expanding Space and What to Scrap · EXP Calculator · Equipment Development Recipes · Equipment Improvement (Akashi's Arsenal) · Event Difficulty Explained · Event Ship Locks (Tags) Explained · Exercises (PvP) Explained · Expedition Efficiency Calculator · Expedition Requirements: Every Expedition · Fatigue and Sparkling Explained · Fleet Builder · Fleet Speed: Slow, Fast, Fast+ and Fastest · Heavy Damage: When to Retreat · How to Get Akashi · How to Get Destroyer Escorts · How to Unlock the 2nd, 3rd and 4th Fleet · Land-Based Air Squadrons for Beginners · Marriage (Kekkon Kakko Kari) Explained · Playing KanColle Without Japanese · Quest Not Completing? Common Reasons · Routing Explained: How the Compass Decides · Running Out of Resources? How to Recover · UI Translation: Every Menu Button Explained · Which Ships to Remodel First · Your First Event: How to Prepare · Your First Week as a New Admiral