How are starbase defence bonuses applied?

from GalCiv2 Forums
I'm playing with the 1.1patch, so the following may simply be a result of the Beta status of the patch. I also only recently started incorporating military starbases into my strategy so have no point of comparison pre-beta.

I build a military starbase and add the basic starship assist defence bonus (1/1/1) and yet all my ships within it's radius still have no defence. Offensive modules built on the starbase affect ships as I expected, so I'm not sure what I'm doing wrong.
I have also seen enemy ships with 1/1/1 defences in and around their home planets, so either the AI is building ships with radically different priorities in the new patch, or one of their military starbases was applying the defensive bonus correctly.

If it is the case that a ship already needs defence in a certain area for bonuses to take effect then defesive modules seem rather underpowered given that offensive module bonuses apply even to types of attack the ship doesn't start with.

I am confused. Help please!
11,595 views 7 replies
Reply #1 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Yes, you have to have the defence for the bonuses to apply. Odd that it works that way for defence but not for attack, but that's how it goes.

Actually it's not quite so odd. Ships have to have at least 1 attack to get the bonus the same.
Reply #2 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
As Monkey Pants says (wow, there's a phrase I didn't think I'd ever say again! lol), you need to have a defence of the appropriate type to receive the bonus.

I guess the reasoning is that you could just have an empty hull that is invulnerable (or with very high defence) to anything the enemy throws at you. If you have to add the defence then it ups the price (and maintenance) of the ship a little.
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Reply #3 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
One doesnt need defence in the correct area, one just needs defence, somewhere, on the ship, to get the defensive bonuses.

EG your starbase gives +3 beam attack, and +1 defence assist to each defence.

A ship with no offence or defence gets no bonus from the starbase.
A ship with 1 mass driver, no other defence or offence then has 3 beam, 1 mass, no defence when near the starbase.
A ship with 1 mass driver, 1 Armour, and no other offence or defence, then gets 3beam, 1 mass driver, 2 armour, 1 shield, 1 chaff when it is within range of the base.
Reply #4 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Yah I too had to discover this the hard way too. I was getting really pissed at the game about why I couldn't get any defensive bonus for my ships. Mention this requirement in the guide would have saved me a lot of frustration.

Though now that I know how to use it the game is painfuly easy hehe
Fly in with a fleet of small ships, and like 12 contructors. Drop a starbase full upgrades. Computer never knows what hit it
Reply #5 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Helpful discussion so far. Thanks all.

My question: Do starbases effect ships in orbit around planets too?

Thanks
Reply #6 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Though now that I know how to use it the game is painfuly easy hehe
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I was able to beat the AI on Suicidal before I used military starbases. But now that I do, it's simply way too easy. I think military starbases need to be seriously nerfed (or the AI used them to the same effect). I don't even bother researching weapons (beyond the basics), hull upgrades, miniaturization, or engines beyong ion drive anymore -- all I need is fleets of cheap Tiny hulled ships with 1 attack and 1 defense and loads of fast constructors. The AI simply cannot counter that.
Reply #7 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Thanks for the responses. I guess I need to start putting some defenses on my ships.

dawggie - they certainly seem to have in games I've played (now that I understand the system a little better!)