Starbases in the style of PDC

[Thiosk (OP)]

As it stands now, if I want a proper Space Station, I must construct it in my shipyards and tow it to a destination.  Thats fine, but I have to tow it back for periodic overhaul.

I propose designing starbases in a as akin to a pdc, and building them using industrial base in prefab sections.  Once sections are put together, they sit in orbit, akin to a shipyard.  The sections can then be individually towed to a waypoint or object.

The fundamental difference between a starbase and a ship is that the overhaul clock is frozen IF maintenance supplies are available.  The station burns maintenance supplies as a function of tonnage.  Run out of maintenance supplies, and the overhaul clock progresses at 4x the rate for ships, ie, the station falls apart.  Fast.  

Fail to run regular deliveries and a starbase and it can crumble.  
Create research line items for number max number of prefit sections.

Advantage:  Simplifies the approach of having proper stationary or orbital starbases, complete with fighter wings, without cheesing the maitenence\overhaul issue.  Stations can be towed, but it will be a slow tow with the starbase inactive.

[ollobrains]

seems to be a reasonable idea, most popular science fiction shows use star bases around planets or within solar systems some are self sufficent others work on a freighter system ( this could open up additional options for trade and cilivan shipping) acting as a refuelling point as well between distant colonies

[Elouda]

YES. Please. Starbases are so not worth it right now.

[Jacob/Lee]

Yes please. I would like to have floating missile batteries.

[ollobrains]

for the reason of balance starbase could have a certain *control points* that would allow them to control a certain points based of defensive structures ie basic starbase could control 4 of these missile batteries, with tech upgrades neural interface AI control thingy thingys they could end up controlling more defenses ( along wiht maintence costs and ammo resupply would be required from nearby colonies)

[Elouda]

Or alternatively simply limit them from using more than say, 25% of their size for weapons. They could still have some serious fire controls or huge magazines, but only so much firepower.

[ollobrains]

Sized base limits also make sense

[jseah]

I don't think size limits in space makes much sense. 

The simplest solution to the starbase problem is to allow the player to build a base that can be used like a colony.  With no living space of course. (need to use orbital habitats if you want residents)

[ollobrains]

science-military-industrial orbital facilities perhaps

[Lex Talionias]

why cant we have a ship to do the overhauls? that way the current system would work but instead of towing it back you just send out a maintenance craft.

[chuckles73]

The simplest solution to the starbase problem is to allow the player to build a base that can be used like a colony.  With no living space of course. (need to use orbital habitats if you want residents)

This; Additionally, you need cargo holds/fuel tanks to store anything (with orbital habitats for any civilians and barracks for any military). I would give a lot to be able to use mass drivers to shoot minerals to a collection point created right next to the jump point.

[Thiosk (OP)]

This; Additionally, you need cargo holds/fuel tanks to store anything (with orbital habitats for any civilians and barracks for any military). I would give a lot to be able to use mass drivers to shoot minerals to a collection point created right next to the jump point.

While I agree that this would be glorious, I think we havn't seen the use of large starbases specifically to prevent such things. 

One gains the ability to cheese things like jump point defense.

[Gyrfalcon]

Well, so does the AI if it uses them effectively.  It might also lead to fun scenarios where you have to mass your fleet and make a jump point assault.  At the moment, I haven't ever seen the AI even linger near a jump point.

[Thiosk (OP)]

In what way?  I've seen them guard jump points... much to the chagrin of my transiting fleet...

[Panopticon]

I've run afoul of jump point defenders myself, the AI doesn't seem to survey as much as the player does and does not station jump point defense as standard, but if they notice me and find the JP I entered the system from they generally have a fleet in place when I come back to it.