Starbase build radius bug?

from GalCiv2 Forums
Recently I've seen in a game that an AI player has been able to build 2 starbases very near each other, within the restricted build radius. When I've tried to build starbses I have not been allowed to build them within 3 squares of any others (there must be 3 empty squares between them).
I have seen the Arceans, have 2 starbases placed near each other. They were an influence starbse and only 3 (2 empty squares between them) squares away was an economic one?
Is there a tech or improvement that allows this to occur? Or is this a bug?
10,479 views 9 replies
Reply #1 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Actually its a feature. Apparently the AI work off different rules when placing starbases. In particular, they can't put more than 4 starbases in a sector (excluding mines), but they can put them as close as they want. The Player, on the other hand, can put in as many as they want in a sector but not close together.

I don't know why it was done this way. Personally I prefer when the AI plays by the same rules as the player.
Reply #2 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Currently, the AI doesnt have to follow the 3 parsec rule. But in the next patch (or soon anyway) they are going to install a 3 starbase per sector restriction which the AI will also follow.
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Reply #3 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
I don't suppose there is any way to 'see' what a starbase's effect radius will be BEFORE building a starbase? Sometimes I'm trying to get that *exact* placement to maximize how many planets will benefit from my econ bases, but I get it off by *one* square and I have to destroy the starbase (or reload from autosave).

If there isn't a way currently, would be a nice wishlist feature for an upcoming patch. ^^
Reply #4 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
I don't suppose there is any way to 'see' what a starbase's effect radius will be BEFORE building a starbase? Sometimes I'm trying to get that *exact* placement to maximize how many planets will benefit from my econ bases, but I get it off by *one* square and I have to destroy the starbase (or reload from autosave).

If there isn't a way currently, would be a nice wishlist feature for an upcoming patch. ^^


As if in answer to your prayers..... in the next patch this will be a new feature!
Reply #5 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
But in the next patch (or soon anyway) they are going to install a 3 starbase per sector restriction which the AI will also follow.


Really? I'd hate this. Part of my strategy involves use of starbases all over my empire (often many more than 3 per sector). I guess I'll have to adapt...
Reply #6 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Currently, the AI doesnt have to follow the 3 parsec rule. But in the next patch (or soon anyway) they are going to install a 3 starbase per sector restriction which the AI will also follow.



I don't recall seeing this written anywhere?
I'd have to agree with TheRealWarpstorm on this, it doesn't sound very good. I mean why build any more than 1 of each in each sector then? You can fully upgrade them to all have weapons and lendable power as it is, among their other bonuses.
Restricting to 3 per sector seems to be a very limiting of the function of starbases.
Also what if early on you end up having 3 AI starbases in your sector, somewhere on the edges perhaps out of your early game sensor range? You can't build any at all and would have no choice but to go to war with that AI, that seems really restricting to the idea of a strategy game, and enforces limited strategy options against you.
Not to mention the player's potential to exploit that limitation against the AI. Simply build 3 bases just at the edge of their sector and they can't have an bases? That doesn't seem very clearly considered or even very balanced.
The build range restriction seems limiting enough to me.
Reply #7 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
I have not seen that yet, but I would think mining SBs were not subject to the range limit. Here is how I see this developing. Build a financial SB first 2 tiles from the resource. Then move a constructor to the resource and harvest it. I have not tried this, but it might be the order of events that violated the range restriction.
Reply #8 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Really? I'd hate this. Part of my strategy involves use of starbases all over my empire (often many more than 3 per sector). I guess I'll have to adapt...


Actually, the AI already has to follow this rule, so it's more a case of doing what they have to do. If you think about it, you could still use your strat. You might have 3 econ starbases in 1 sector - 2 of the border sectors to that sector might be devoid of life - you could put starbases right along the sector line there and still get most of the 1st sector in its radius.

I don't recall seeing this written anywhere?
I'd have to agree with TheRealWarpstorm on this, it doesn't sound very good. I mean why build any more than 1 of each in each sector then? You can fully upgrade them to all have weapons and lendable power as it is, among their other bonuses.
Restricting to 3 per sector seems to be a very limiting of the function of starbases.
Also what if early on you end up having 3 AI starbases in your sector, somewhere on the edges perhaps out of your early game sensor range? You can't build any at all and would have no choice but to go to war with that AI, that seems really restricting to the idea of a strategy game, and enforces limited strategy options against you.
Not to mention the player's potential to exploit that limitation against the AI. Simply build 3 bases just at the edge of their sector and they can't have an bases? That doesn't seem very clearly considered or even very balanced.
The build range restriction seems limiting enough to me.


I read Brad say it a number of time..... I know this is what's going to happen according to him.... but I may have made a mistake on the number - I tried to find the article again and cant seem to - I think he said 3, but it might have been 4........ pretty sure it was 3!!

If the AI builds 3 starbases in your sector? Well, I only said that you could have only 3 starbases, not that there could only be 3 total!

I will go and try and find where this was said - perhaps Brad shed more light onto it than I am here. I do clearly remember him saying it wasn't entirely fixed yet about what to do with starbases.
Reply #9 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
This is a good change... ever stick 12+ upgraded economical starbases over a class 26 planet?

*yawn*