When is starbase influence bonus applied?

Does a starbase influence bonus affect only the sector it is in, or does it apply to the influence that a certain sector has on another sector?

Let me explain better. Let's say we have a sector...call it sector A. Sector B is adjacent to sector A. Sector A has an enemy system in it; sector B has one of my systems in it. According to the document on influence, my system in sector B is influencing sector a by a factor of x1, plus a factor of 1 divided by the total number of sectors in the game.

Now, obviously if I put a starbase in sector A, that would pump up the influence that is being produced in sector A from *any* source. My question is, if I put a starbase in sector B with cultural bonuses, does that increase the influence that planets in that sector have on OTHER sectors? As in, the 1 divided by number of total sectors factor, or the adjacent-sector factor?

In other words, if you want to increase your chances of subverting a planet, do you *have* to put the starbase in the same sector as that planet?
230 views 3 replies
Reply #1 Top
Look at the encyclopedia. There's an entry for influence calculations.

There are 9 sectors that affect the influence in a sector: that sector, plus the 8 adjacent sectors. The current sector is given 5x the weight of a single adjacent sector.

So, you should build a starbase in the sector you want to culture-flip. However, this will lower relations with that AI. If you build a starbase in one of the adjacent sectors, it has only 1/5 the effect, but it doesn't harm relations as much (or at all?).
Reply #2 Top
Okay, that answers my question, if I read it correctly. I was wondering if the starbase in the adjacent sector would help AT ALL. I was pretty sure already that it would help by a reduced amount.

The main reason for asking that question is I often wonder if it's a good idea to build culture bonuses on starbases near by biggest systems, to maximize the 1 divided by total sectors factor. I usually have starbases in those sectors already, and they are often already very pumped up and well-defended.

-Charles
Reply #3 Top
From what I can see, it doesn't amplify the nearby system's influence that much. However, the starbase itself provides quite a powerful influence that can capture rival star systems in adjecent sectors.

For the math, the current sector's influcene is calculated with a base value, adding the nerby influence centers, and adding the starbase cultural bonuses. The base value appears to carry over from turn-to-turn, which will allow the starbases to provide a "small" bonus to nearby systems. It's not the full 100% or so, but there is a minor boost.

It doesn't matter that much when you start building Cultural Palaces. Those cause your influence to sky-rocket into the Thousands.