Capture Starbases

I would like to see a new tech, along the military line, that would allow the construction of "Special Forces" modules. These modules would only carry 1 legion of troops, all "elite deep-space trained comandos". When equiped to a ship, it would allow the ship to transport these Special Forces to AI-controlled starbases and mining constructs.

When moved to intercept, instead of ship-to-ship attacking (and complete destruction of the base), the SF would move out and we would see a interior battle similar to a planet-side battle. If successful, control of the starbase would change, with or without damage to the modules on the base.

This could even lead to a new tech branch of related invasion tactics.

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That would be nice.

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DivineWrath

Join Date 05/2006

+135

How about... no.

I find that the AI does a lowsy job of building starbases, and I think it would be a waste of time trying to capture them. Plus, developing it as a feature would take resources away from developing (or un-nerfing) starbases so that they could defend themselves late in the game.

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If we're looking for realism and better options, I support this idea. However, (DivineWrath), the AI's would have to do a better job of placing and planning their star bases.

Also, beyond a simple constructor-applied module system, the system would need to track the population of starbases (like planets). Ships should be able to "dock" with a starbase and, if damaged, repair faster. We should be able to reinforce the base with more population (i.e. defense).

With these mods, and a few other improvements, starbases can actually become a strategic asset to a civilization's development.

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Perhaps the best way to do it is to force the attacking side to have one of these modules on the fleet they're using to fight the starbase. They only can capture it if the defenses are beaten down first!

That said, the idea comes with all of its own issues, including AI, starbase counts, and potential balance issues...

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To respond to you two, I'd say that you can track a Starbase's crew via the 'Intelligence Report' screen, the same way you can track a ship's crew. If you are interested in starbase docking, I recommend you read the 'Starbase Hangars' in the Modding forum. (I posted a list of useful ideas in that topic).

Here's how it could work. The crew of a starbase is around 1500 as listed in the Intelligence Report. If you attack the starbase, and when it is down to one hitpoint, an invasion starts. If you are successful, you have the base, if not, you just leave. Of course, you could then attack again and just get rid of the Transport module ship and wipe it out after that.

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Why not just make it real simple. You attack a star base as before, but instead of it being destroyed it "surrenders" at 1 hitpoint. The attacker can the opt to finish the destruction or take control. (The player may not want to have to own the starbase if its say, an influense base).

This may be where those new repair modules will come in handy. If the satrbase is damaged in any way i guess would be up to the devs. It would have to be well thought out and i havent done that.

OR we leave it as is. But now thats its been brought up, i just can stand when a starbase, especially a mining base is lost and i'll need many many constructors to get it back.

The down side will be that I wouldnt be able to "mop up" all the open mining resources that come durng an AI war. I just love popping into the war zone with a bunch of constructors.

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