Upgrading Starbases in GalCiv III

Does this still work with constructors?  It doesn't seem to work the way it's described in the manual; the pictures in it don't even match what the UI looks like now.  Was this changed in some patch?  I moved a constructor onto a starbase; the starbase says it has a constructor "stationed" but I can't seem to do anything with it.

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Reply #1 Top

It was rather changed. But more that now you can request constructors from the starbase than going to then shipyard to build it and then move it to the starbase.

Regardless, just order what modules you want build on it and it will use the stationed constructor.

Reply #2 Top

There's a decent chunk on the new official wiki about starbase upgrades here.

One important thing missing from there at the moment is discussion of options you can get to by clicking Sponsor Settings in the starbase management window. You can have starbases automatically request constructors to continue a chain of improvements you started (e.g. adding the next level of manufacturing or income booster).

The screentips in the starbase window are also decent; try checking them out for more info. One of my favorite new features is the ability to set a constructor design to send to a base. On large maps that can be really handy when you want to send your fastest, no-life-support model out to a distant base while using cheaper models to develop your core worlds.

Reply #3 Top

Note: if you create custom Constructors you can assign your starbases to use those via the manage feature.

Reply #4 Top

Thanks for the tips.  I did finally realize that the modules in the upper right were constructor upgrades, and as someone pointed out, queuing one up orders a constructor from a nearby shipyard automatically.  Or it will just build instantly if you have a constructor already present.

Reply #5 Top

Quoting rowyerboat, reply 4
Or it will just build instantly if you have a constructor already present.

It starts building 'instantly.'

I learned the hard way that the addition isn't functional until you process the current turn. Poured a fat stack of constructors into a base about to be attacked and lost everything.

Reply #6 Top

I just started a new 1.82 game a couple of days ago, and although I have a cheap constructor design, and when I create a new star base the sponsor settings shows it as the selected constructor, if I request a new constructor for that star base it actually builds a more expensive one. If I click on the window to select a different constructor, then click back to my cheap one, it then works fine and from then on always builds my cheap one.

Has anyone else noticed that?

Reply #7 Top

When I switched from the basic constructor to my 2 module version, it worked for me.  All future constructor requests got the new ship.  And it stays assigned through several game reloads so far.

Reply #8 Top

Quoting erischild, reply 7

When I switched from the basic constructor to my 2 module version, it worked for me.  All future constructor requests got the new ship.  And it stays assigned through several game reloads so far.

Right, it remembers it ok.  It's only the very first constructor.  Right after building the star base, the window says it's my cheap constructor.  Then I order an improvement by double clicking on it, and the window tells me it'll take 5 turns.  Then I cancel the improvement, switch to a more expensive constructor then back to my cheap one, order the same improvement, and now it says it'll take 2 turns.