Starbases: Why? Where? When?

[Donegeal]

Ok, just got this in prep for GalCiv II. However, I have some questions about starbases.

Obviously, its good to have them on resources, but what good do they do? If I build a starbase on a resource that is not in my sector, do I still get the benefits? Do all my planets gets the benefits, or just the ones that are in the sector with the resource?

Another question is what is meant by "help on mil and soc production in nearby planets"? What is considered "nearby"? Is it the sector or just a few parsecs?

Another question, multiple starbases in the same sector. Do the modules you build on these starbases have a cumulative effect? Example: I have three star systems in the same sector, totaling 6 planets that are colonized. Now I build 5 starbases in that sector (for the sake of argument, none of them are on any resources). I then add the trade modules to all five (each one is +10% to trade routes that go through that sector (which I have a question about later)). Do I now get +50% to all trade routes in that sector, or is it limited to 10% for that level of module regardless of how many I put in that sector? If you are still unsure, I have checked and the +1 to speed moduals are cumulative for each modual in that sector.

Oh yeah, what, if any, would be the point of building production moduals at a starbase that does not have any star systems?

Bah! Enough questions for now. Gimme some answers!

[Kloreep]

Re: Starbases: Why? Where? When?

Originally posted by Donegeal
Obviously, its good to have them on resources, but what good do they do? If I build a starbase on a resource that is not in my sector, do I still get the benefits? Do all my planets gets the benefits, or just the ones that are in the sector with the resource?

In the case of resources, it helps everywhere.

So if you're on a weapons resource, every single ship of yours, everywhere gets the bonus. If you're on an economy bonus, every single planet of yours, anywhere gets that bonus. Neat, huh?

Originally posted by Donegeal
Another question is what is meant by "help on mil and soc production in nearby planets"? What is considered "nearby"? Is it the sector or just a few parsecs?

It's by sectors. I believe all modules (aside from the ones that mine resources to greater effect) have an effect only on ships and planets in their own sector, though I may be forgetting some that extend wider.

Originally posted by Donegeal
Another question, multiple starbases in the same sector. Do the modules you build on these starbases have a cumulative effect?

Yep, they're cumulative on planets too. Though in the case of the trade route modules you site, I forget how they work... I think it may be the trade route's ship may have to be in the sector, not one of the planets on either end of the route. At any rate, that doesn't effect your cumulative effects question.

Originally posted by Donegeal
Oh yeah, what, if any, would be the point of building production moduals at a starbase that does not have any star systems?

None, so far as I know. Mine the resource there more, build defense & ship-effects modules, or simply send the constructors elsewhere.

[Asmodean]

Multiple starbases in the same sector indeed does have cumulative effects. There is however the cost factor to consider. The more starbases you build, beyond a certain number, the more expensive they get to build. This can be modified by enhancing your logistics ability.

I remember once, when starbases were free, players posted screenshots where every available square in a given sector was occupied by a starbase. Think about the production bonuses you could get back then. As it is now, on large maps, more than one starbase in a sector is really not worth it, unless you have a killer economy.

As Kloreep, I honestly don't remember if you can accumulate the trade route bonuses from starbases. Maybe post a question in the forum on http://www.galciv.com ?

Asmodean

[LDiCesare]

The trade route bonuses accumulate. What a starbase gives you is: When a mini freighter goes in the sector, a +10% trade starbase gives you a bonus linked to the trade route value. It also gives the bonus to the holder of the trade route. I don't remember if +10 is if you are both owner of the starvase and the trade route or if you get 10% of the trade route if you're not the owner of it (abd grant +10% to the route owner). That's cumulative.

[Donegeal]

...but it is only active when the mini freighter is actually in the sector, not all the time. Thats the key I was missing.

[Kloreep]

Originally posted by Asmodean
Multiple starbases in the same sector indeed does have cumulative effects. There is however the cost factor to consider. The more starbases you build, beyond a certain number, the more expensive they get to build. This can be modified by enhancing your logistics ability.

Ah, I uninstalled before Logistics. Sounds like a good play balance.

[Asmodean]

Originally posted by Kloreep


Ah, I uninstalled before Logistics. Sounds like a good play balance.

Well that's the good thing about Stardock. They never seem to cease finetuning the game. A good thing, IMHO.

Asmodean

[Darkstar]

It's still worth putting multiple production bonus bases in the same sector as your core worlds. You have to, if you want to run off the big ships in reasonable time, actually.

Empty sectors are usually only good for range extension, resources, trade, and culture.