Defense Station Instructions

[Sticky]

Defense Stations can be one of the hardest stations to understand how to build. Even harder than a Basic Shipyard. First you buy your plot and build your basic layout. I use a Multi Dock for L class and 3M 6S, But just a basic dock at all will be enough. I also use an Administrative Building, which is also an option, will come in handy if you want to own the sector one day. After you build the basic layout you could build that then add the Bridge and Disk after its built, or build it all at once. Small steps may be better to keep the build cost down in waves.
After your Defense station is built with the needed Bridge and Disk. You need blueprints for Drones Just buy them all then you will have them. Cargo, Repair. Defense and Build. Also you will need the Blueprints for M and L shields and any weapons you want to add to your defense platform. After the station is complete go to the Build Plan on the Defense Tab. Click the pencil icon on the right hand side of the Bridge and set the Desired Shields and Weapons. You do not want to try to use High Preset or Custom they are not working that good as of the 3.2 update. But hopefully in the future this will be easier. But after you set the Shields and Weapons of the Bridge go to Save Loadout for the Bridge and Make a name for it.
Do the same thing for the Disk add shields and weapons you desire and save a name for the Disk.
After you have a saved load out for each it gets really easy to set your Bridge and Disk. Just go to Defense page again where the Pencil is and select each bridge and disk one at a time loading the saved load out you created. After you are finished save the plan and give the funds needed. The wares will go to the build and your stations drones will build the turrets. You add drones to your station by going to the logistics tab and Drones and setting the desired amounts. Its up to you but 20 Cargo , 20 Repair, you can use defense drones but i think the AI with them could be better than they are but they do work. Once your stations has all the needed wares to build the Turrets and Shields on your Bridge and Disk they will build automatically, no builder needed.
What to put on your Bridge and Disk. Here is what i did the Bridge i did Beam and Flak and the Disk i did Cannon and Flak, Keep in mind some are M and some are L you will need the blueprints for anything you want to put on them.
What to expect after its all done. Don't look for your Defense station to attack anything Red that is just passing by even if it nearly crashes into the defense platform. The station will attack anything that attacked it first, not just because its in range. Defense Stations do seem to work great when i'm in the same sector with them. Out of sector, not so sure.
If you have any questions or if i missed something please post.

[Belteguesian]

I suppose you DO need to put a Manager on it to make the orders at least, right?
If so, how many stars would be good for him/her?

[Sticky]

Yes standard for all stations to have a Manager. And his level depends if you will be supplying the wares or will he be buying the wares needed. Managers level pretty fast on an active station but a 2 star would be fine for a Defense station, but i can't say that a 5 star manager would not be better to have. Higher the manager the better in all cases. But that is just progression.

[hurepoix]

Originally posted by Sticky:

The station will attack anything that attacked it first, not just because its in range.

It is why I dont build it anymore, but use destroyers task forces instead. In my first game I tried to use defense stations to guard gate entrances for exemple but it proved completly ineficient.

[Sticky]

Originally posted by hurepoix:

Originally posted by Sticky:

The station will attack anything that attacked it first, not just because its in range.

It is why I dont build it anymore, but use destroyers task forces instead. In my first game I tried to use defense stations to guard gate entrances for exemple but it proved completly ineficient.

Here is what i experienced so far while paying close attention, though i'm in a new game and only have PHQ and the Teladi Start which gives a station. I dismantled everything on the station from the Teladi Start. And built a small defense platform compared to what i'm used to building. I'm studying the smallest build for Defense Platform and be strong enough to wipe out an Xenon I and 2 K's. Without needing a lot of keeping an eye on and repairing constantly. When i find the build that suits the needs i plan on putting 1 in each sector and just having a self supporting Shipyard for personal use only on the PHQ.
What i observed most of what NOT TO DO, is don't add Defense Drones, and don't have ships protecting it. The station needs the Targets to get close enough to engage. And if the Target is focused on the Station and not the Defenders and takes damage, its like a light switch in firepower triggering station defense. Both the Defense Drones and Ships protecting a station fly too far from the station and the station can't defend them engaging targets that were supposed to be near the station to begin with. Maybe in the future they will add the AI Script to" Defend and Land", in later patches. But once the station takes damage it needs very little help IF the setup suits the needs.
For now i'm only paying attention to the actions while in sector. While building my mega shipyard and it will be my only Factory in my game, is the plan for this particular game.

[HoloByteus]

They'll work without managers but you need them if you want the station to stock on wares needed to produce drones & missiles and more importantly be able to acquire wares to replace destroyed modules which you will have. Xenon's will increase their attack force until they've reached a level that will destroy a defense platform. I'm up to them sending 2 I's and 4K's. Previously it was 5K's which destroyed a 3 disc 5 bridge Split DP. I've had to defend it now with destroyers.

You have to be careful watching your DP's in sector, the L turrets will sometimes shoot the station itself adding to any damage Xenon's will contribute. OOS this doesn't appear to happen.