Commanders

Commanders are bought with merit or gold in the shop, or with qualifications points in the gallery part of the barracks. Each commander has 5 traits that are of 3 types: skill, statistics buffs and situational boosts. Only a commander in the role of the captain can use his skill. Additionally, many traits require the commander to reach certain conditions in rank, level, ship and/or role in the ship. For example, Thomas Kincald has to be level 7, with the Excellent rank and in the role of the captain to increase the steering and durability of the ship by 5%.

The level of a commander is increased by getting experience through battles in which he participates. The rank is increased by promoting a commander in the barracks with qualifications points. Increasing the rank also improves some traits. The competence of the commander is a combination of the 2. It determines the bonus the commander gives in a role. A commander with a higher competence will give a higher radar and radio range if given the role of Comms. Specialist.

The nation doesn't affect anything.

List
"Role requirement" means the commander has a trait requiring this role. Same for "Ship requirement".

Best ship is more general and is more about the flavour of the commander. For example, Andrew Cunningham doesn't have any ship restriction, but he improves the main artillery, torpedoes (his skill is about torpedoes), scouting, sonar and comms, which is a mix that fit way more for a destroyer than for any other category of ship.