OK, what is going on here? (link inside)

Oh, nevermind. I see it doest it automatically.

~SDC~

Addendum: I zoomed in on the sector map so that you can see that there are NO STARS in that sector, much less planets. I dunno, maybe there's a reason for all the modules. But it sure seems like a waste of money.

~SDC~

You'll notice from the screenshot that the starbase is mining a military resource. Those are good stuff, and make any kind of defensive/offensive modules worthwhile (the offensive modules will help out the AI if it has to pull ships in to defend). The culture might be there to help contribute to a cultural victory. All you need is to dominate a large fraction of the sectors (with planets or otherwise, I think) culturally and you can win that way. I hope that made sense.

LOL when I finished looking at your screenshot I tried to click the "done" button. I've been playing too much. :notsure:

~SDC~

Lol slapbone!

~SDC~

LOL Bump! LOL

~SDC~

Madfizziks, I understand what you are saying but it still doesn't seem to make sense. I guess the question is: Would YOU have placed all those bonuses on a starbase sitting in an empty sector?

~SDC~

Let me take another look...

Ok, well, I would have definitely put on the mining and defense modules. I would have also put on the repair module, since starbase hitpoints seem to degrade over time. If I was going for a culture victory and had a couple spare constructors, then yeah, I probably would have put on the culture modules. Even empty sectors count towards the number of sectors you need to control culturally in order to win. I'm playing a game right now (large map, all intelligent) where the altarans are obviously going for a culture win, and I'm throwing down culture starbases in empty sectors just to keep them from being designated as altaran-controlled. Their sphere of influence is slowly rolling back now.
I dunno about the attack bonus modules, but it's not like those are totally ridiculous. If it was attack +15 or something I'd be confused.

I guess the short answer is yes, I would have put lots of bonuses on a base in an empty sector. I often do. It works quite well.

I have several starbases just like that in my empire right now. Step 1, max out the mineing. Step 2, if the starbase is in a sector near enemy space (because there seems to be some boost to a sector's influence based on adjacent sectors), then max out the Culture. Step 3, if trade ships pass through, bump up the trading posts (earlier if cash strapped). Step 4 depends on relative military strength. I always garrison resource starbases, and if my ships are superior, two ships by themselves are enough. If they're not superior then I'll add defense and military modules.

But yeah...ESPECIALLY a military star base. Losing any base can hurt you (morale and econ in particular) but losing a Military base is the worst...the last thing you want when in the middle of a war is to have the enemies ship suddenly get stronger relative to yours. Those are always my most strongly defended.

In my current game I now have 4 fully tricked out Military star bases and my Overlords have over 500 HPs and 60-something attack ratings.

Note #1: On big maps with lots of empty space, scouts are your friend. I found several resources 3 or 4 sectors away from the nearest star.

Note #2: When two nieghbors go to war, park a capital ship and a constructor next to each of their starbases you can get to. When one side blows the other sides starbase up, you're ready to move in with a constructor and garrison ship to take it. Picked up a Research and a Military starbase from the Altarians that way(who were winning) after bribing the Arceans to attack them.