how do you guys normally protect trade?

[Jojojay]

the new trade system is pretty interesting, but i am having a bit of trouble getting the hang of it. using starbases to protect trade seems kinda wastefull, as you are using module slots that could instead be used to increase fleet cap, defend borders, collect trade, or construct ships, but using ships to patrol is expensive and subtracts from your fleet cap, not to mention it clutters your outliner. any thoughts?

[captclaw]

Have corvettes patrol the lanes

[galadon3]

Usually: base with 6 trade-hubs - 5 systems - base with 6 hangar modules - 5 systems - base with 6 trade-hubs.

Since 6 trade-hub bases can collect from a pretty big area and the 6 hangars base can protect the whole route between the two (at least up to a certain trade-value, after that bases dont cut it anyway) you can gather and secure a rather big territory with a pretty small number of bases and use the remaining maximum for border security / fleet cap.

(just in case you aren't aware of the fact: pirates can only emerge in system that has a trade-route running from one starbase to another, the initial gathering of the trade in a trade-hub base doesnt attract piracy.)

[Fasalrod]

Since they set this system up, this is what I prefer to do -
- Convert home starbase to pure trade center, 6 trading buildings for max range.
- Have NO starbases in any of your colonized systems that are within range of your home base. This way, home base collectgs everything directly with no piracy.
- Sometimes you need to build a starbase in a colonized system, or acquire some in war etc. You need a dedicated anti-pirate corvette fleet to patroll those lanes. No way around this.
- For extended empire, you may need to set up trade hubs similar to homeworld for trade collection. Reduces number of trade routes to patrol, keeps it simpler.
- GATEWAYS. When you get gate technology, build gates in all colonized systems. Trade routes use gateways, and with this they can all go directly to your homeworld, never patrol trade routes again.

[Tex]

By using a mod to turn off pirates because I can't be bothered.

[Glakken]

If you min/max the distance with your trade ports and the collection of trade value, you can very easily have enough starbase capacity to add a few starbases with 6 hangar bays to cover those trade routes. You often won't need a lot of fleet production, just 4-5 starbases with 4-6 shipyards is enough even in the late game and often you will be replacing them all the time to the edges of your borders so you can easily reinforce your fleets in a war. Bastions/Defence starports for the purpose of actual defence you'll only ever need 1 or 2 near your borders. Starbases for me have been the most effective and less annoying methods to use to protect trade routes and allow your fleet to be on hand at any given time.