Where does Border Friction start in 2.0?

[San-Kyu]

I've managed a pretty good position where there are virtually no civilizations in a general area, but beyond all the unclaimed systems in it is a fallen empire, militant isolationists. I don't want to piss them off just yet so does anyone know how close you have to be in the Cherryh update to trigger them, in more ways then one?

I know before that just having borders touch is enough but since this is hyperlanes-only I'm wondering if thats still the case with border friction or if its limited to systems connected by hyperlanes. There's an entire chain of unclaimed systems bordering the militant isolationists that has no hyperlane connection to their systems, but is spacially adjacent to them.

[GC13]

Border friction is solely determined by the number of hyperlanes between your space. The graphics of the borders touching don't matter at all.

[San-Kyu]

I see thanks! Still apprehensive about going anywhere near the fallen empire though. Its an ironman game so one false step there goes the last 3 hours of my life...

[Damedius]

I would avoid a border with them until you are ready. Leave at least a system in between.

[Peachtree Games]

If you need to keep the peace with a neighbor state, it's best to stop developing 2-4 stars before you reach their border. Border friction doesn't start until you have neighboring starbases with a jump lane between them. So by creating a buffer, you're giving them room to grow for a while longer before they get irritated that you're blocking their expansion.

The method is great to delay inevitable wars (when you're already at odds idealogically with an empire that you're going to bump up against), and there's the added advantage of setting up a massive starbase at a further-back chokepoint, and having plenty of time to fully upgrade it with military defenses to help your fleet protect your borders.

[Mansen]

Originally posted by Damedius:

I would avoid a border with them until you are ready. Leave at least a system in between.

They will however love to get a border with YOU, so you might as well look and see.

[San-Kyu]

Yep. I've built starbases with borders touching but no shared hyperlanes with the fallen empire. So they expand even if they've not ascended? A neighboring empire (a religious one so they hate me) might tick them off though - they've so far expanded to just one system apart from the FE. I'll hold to that advice and keep a good 2 stars away from the FE.