Defending with Scouts

[Brizey]

Question:

How do starbases effect 0 level ships? For example, if starbase gives a +1 bonus, do scouts defend at instead of 0? If so, then don't they seem like a kick butt way to defend?

They only cost 20 and have no upkeep. Throw about 50 or a 100 of these on a starbase with all the defense and let those dreadnoughts pound away. Hell, you can make 'em as faster than they can blow 'em up!

[LDiCesare]

Yes, scouts are increased. Beware, however, that scouts have little to no hit points, and a star base will only increase defense by 1, so you need a big cluster of starbases to get a scout ship strong enough.
Scouts are better used against civs you are not at war with, like putting three to five ships in a row in front of the opponent colony ships, freights, transports and constructors to slow or block them.