Do I want to build an Outpost in EVERY other system with resources?

[Treehugger]

A guide says that one ought to build an outpost in systems with a habitable planet in them, but that made me wonder:

Do I want to build an Outpost in EVERY other system with resources?
Or, do I somehow, wait for one populated system to grow its population, so that, somehow other systems around are included into my border, or is that not how it works?

[Elitewrecker PT]

"Or, do I somehow, wait for one populated system to grow its population, so that, somehow other systems around are included into my border, or is that not how it works? "

That's not how it works since 2.0 several years ago.

[IPWIW]

Patch 2.0, aka “Cherryh”, was released on 2018-02-22

[failsafe]

I didn't even know that it worked other way round ;-P

But it doesnt mean that you need to build outposts anywhere - there is a thing called sprawl, the more spread you are, the less effective your empire becomes. This is important more than before since 3.3. So, answering question: if you want to take particular system - yes, you have to build outpost there; there is no automation in influence spreading (like in Civilisation), you have to "manually" claim each system, one by one. Even single unclaimed systems in the very core of large empires remain unclaimed as long as nobody builds there.

[Treehugger]

I haven't played this game in a long time.

Thanks for answering the question failsafe.

[failsafe]

Originally posted by Treehugger:

I haven't played this game in a long time.

Thanks for answering the question failsafe.

No problem. Just keep in mind that you have to spread your empire smart way. If you didn't play for a while, than you will have to "sacrifice" one or two gameplays to find a best tactics. Having said that... me after two weeks: "lol, I totally don't know how to make my empire little better than just a thing that has escaped from museum...".

[Treehugger]

I see that building outposts in nearby systems have a lower 'influence' cost, while systems futher away requires a lot more influence points.

[Treehugger]

The last time I played, creating buildings on planets was common, but now, I never seem to get the 10 population on planets to unlock more location slots on planets.

[Bramhar]

city districts unlock the building slot

[Azunai]

you pay the normal cost (75 influence, possibly cheaper depending on ethics etc.) for systems adjacent to your owned systems and a multiple of that for every hyperlane jump in between.

or in other words you can't save influence by skipping systems - if you grab a system 2 jumps away from your border you pay the same influence as if you first grabbed the 2 systems in between.

so in most cases skipping systems isn't worth it unless you have a higher level strategic reason (for example grabbing a chokepoint or habitable planet ASAP that you might lose otherwise if you take the systems in between one by one)

[ScreamCon]

The advantage to claiming a far away system is not to get a better deal on number of systems but to claim a home planet for example. By doing so the aliens will not surrender, useful for dragging the war out, especially if you have barbaric despoilers.

[failsafe]

I think grabbing chokepoints too far from own territory is not a good option - it might work for experienced players who exactly know how to manage empire to quickly fill not only "missing" star systems, but also how to keep up with other things. I did this mistake way too often - I've grabbed some "perfect" chokepoints, but eventually couldn't defend them since I've overspent resources on expansion and saving on fleet and other stuff. Safer way is to gather good chokepoints but relatively close to core of own Empire. Of course if You are strong enough to build big fleets early on, then skip my opinion ;-). Just keep in mind that AI - even very pacifistic - will declare war on you if they learn that your power is lower than theirs. This is one of the problems with this game: even empires destined to go peacefully seem to prioritise attacking weak opponents. With early tech and limited everything you may loose many systems before you build good fleet and have time to actually arrive on frontline. From my small experience best chokepoint is not a chokepoint perfect from "geographical" point of view, but a chokepoint that can receive hard support from your fleets very early.

Pops - I think pops grow slower now. Dont know figures, it is just my impression. Growth boom happens later, when you use buildings and gain some techs. Sometimes during first 100 years you grow 150 pops but within next 100 you jump to 1500. Use specialised buildings to speed up growth, this helps a little. Try to develop techs adding boost to colony growth.

[Shavanna]

Im building outposts at every major chokepoint (e.g. to defend my core area), as well as in trade routes, when i have then enabled. If i conquer enemy sectors, i often destroy the outpost the AI has build, as it often is in a bad position. Outside of that rule, I only build outposts in very important sectors like a ringworld one, to a) defend them from enemies just running through them and b) use special modules, like the dark site there, that helps the colonies.

[Treehugger]

@Shavanna
But if you don't build outposts everywhere, then you don't get the resources of star systems outside your borders? Meaning, you have to build the outpost on that one planet, to get the resources on that one planet.

[Shavanna]

oh, it seems like i misunderstood you. naturally, i claim every sector i can with my basic outpost. i thought you talked about the upgraded ones.

[I Throw Spears.]

I feel like half this thread is talking about Starbases, and the other half is talking about Outposts.