Building

• The Structure Overview can be found Here
• Structures may be built from scratch or in combination with components
• The build subsidy may be used to reduce the cost in credits and nanobits.
• Amortisation nay be used to spread the credit cost over several cycles.
• Amortisation, modules and components are all mutually exclusive (you may only use one per project).
• Subsidy may not be used with amortisation or module builds.

  Choosing a Build Method :

  • Use modules to build on stars not contiguous with your core realm.
  • Use components when you want a fast build within your core realm area.
  • Use subsidy when you are low on credits or nanobits.
  • Use amortisation when low on credits.

  Overview of the Various Queues :

  Build Queue :

  • This queue is used to prioritise build projects.
  • This is the queue you drop builders onto.
  • This queue is not used for plans.

  Plan list :

  • This is a list of all build plans at the star.
  • You add plans to this list, or apply a plan scheme to add multiple plans at once.
  • The order of this list is of no consequence as the allotment queue is used to prioritise supply. But you may reorder it to assist your planning. Drag and drop a plan row to change the order.
  • When you activate a plan, it moves from this list to the build queue.

  Allotment Queue :

  • This queue is used to prioritise all plans across all stars.
  • This queue dictates what order stars receive resources (resource allocation).
  • Access this queue with the "Allotment Queue" button on the plans panel.

  Cost of Level Upgrades :

  This applies only to those structures built in levels.
  Each successive level increases in cost.
  But the relative advantage(s) for the higher level increases at a diminishing rate.
  The following example is for a habitat, but the method applies to all structures.
  
  Example:
  
  The following table compares the cost of a building a habitat to each level.
  The point is, you can build 2 new habitats for the cost of a level 2, and you gain 100 credits per cycle rather than 50.

  Habitat Upgrade Example
  Habitat Level	Required Credits	Required Workers	Required Nanobits	Increase in Credits *	Recovery Cycles **
  1	300	800	800	50	8
  2	600	1,600	1,600	50	16
  3	900	2,400	2,400	50	24
  4	1,200	3,200	3,200	50	32
  5	1,500	4,000	4,000	50	40
  6	1,800	4,800	4,800	50	48
  7	2,100	5,600	5,600	50	56
  8	2,400	6,400	6,400	50	64
  9	2,700	7,200	7,200	50	72
  10	3,000	8,000	8,000	50	80

  * Increase in credits = Increase in income per cycle over previous level at 25% tax rate.
  ** Recovery cycles = Number of cycles to recover credit cost at 25% tax rate.

  Build Projects :

  There are 3 ways of adding a build to the queue :
  • Build a new project on the build panel.
  • Activate a planned project in planning on the build panel.
  • Deploy a module on a fleet in the fleets panel.

  Batch Time Savings :

  • Not available for structure builds.
  • The more units built in a project, the less time is required to build each item.
  • For module assembly, less than 4 units will increase build time.
  
  
  

  Ship Batch Savings
  Batch Size	Time Saved
  5	10%
  10	17%
  20	28%
  50	49%
  100	72%

  Component Group A Batch Savings
  Batch Size	Time Saved
  10	0%
  20	4%
  40	12%
  60	24%
  80	39%
  100	60%

  Component Group B Batch Savings
  Batch Size	Time Saved
  20	1%
  40	4%
  100	11%
  200	25%
  300	40%
  400	57%
  500	75%

  Module Batch Savings
  Batch Size	Time Saved
  1	-20%
  2	-13%
  3	-6%
  4	2%
  5	11%
  6	20%
  7	31%
  8	43%
  9	56%
  10	70%

  Builders :

  Builders Provided
  Structure	Builders
  Works Yard	1 for starbase 1 per WY level
  Shipyard	2 per level
  Crafter	1 per level
  Assembler	1 per level

  • The more builders on a specific project, the less efficient they are.
  • It will be quicker to have several projects active than having all builders on each project, sequentially.
  • ie; If you have 3 projects and all builders work on one at a time, the total build time will be longer than if you place one builder on each project.

  Builder Fees :

  • Idle builders have no support cost.
  • Active builders have a support cost of 50 credits per cycle.
  • When you add builders to a project you are charged for the time remaining in the cycle.
  • Each cycle end you are charged 50c for all active builders.
  • When you remove builders from a project you are refunded for the time remaining in the cycle.
  • When a project is completed and the "go idle" option is selected or there are no projects next in the queue, you are refunded the builder fees for time remaining in the cycle (the builders have gone idle).
  • In other words the 50c fee is prorated to actual time working.

  Dedicated Builds And Retooling :

  • Shipyards and assemblers may be configured to dedicated building of one item type.
  • Crafters must be configured to craft one component type at a time.
  • The structure must be retooled to change the build item.
  • Retooling takes 5 cycles to complete, except :
    When retooling from one ship design to a similar one,retooling only takes 2 cycles.
    The following are required for single day retooling :
    • Both designs must be same hull class.
    • Both are combat designs or both are non-combat designs.
    • Both designs are system ships or both are interstellar ships.
    • There must not be other retooling projects in the queue.
  • Retooling may use only one builder.
  • Build projects may be queued (but not activated) while retooling is under way.
  • Multiple retooling and builds may be queued, but these may not be moved in the queue, only deleted.
  • Dedicated shipyards and assemblers reduce project build times by 40%.
  • The dedicated bonus is applied to the amount of time reduced by components.
    ie; If a component normally reduces time by 20% of a cycle, this will drop to 12%.
    This is 40%, the same ratio applied to all dedicated builds.
  • The technologies that reduce build time have no effect on dedicated builds.

  Join Route :

  • Ships in the build queue may have a route set to join upon completion.
    Select the build project, the click the Join Route button.
  • Only interstellar ships may join a route.
  • The fleet will be of a type and have a name as set in the ship design options.
  • Combat orders will be the default for the fleet type.
  • The fleet will join the route at the first waypoint that is the production star.
  • The fleet always joins in normal direction of travel.

  Retrofit Ships :

  • This requires the Retrofit technology to have been researched.
  • Retrofiting will convert an existing ship group on a starbase to a different design.
  • Any experience on the existing ship group will be retained.
  • You may only retrofit to a design of the same hull class.
  • Combat ships may only convert to combat ship designs.
  • Non-combat ships may only convert to non-combat ship designs.
  • Access this feature on the shipyard build panel > Create Project > then the button in the top right of the list of ship designs.
  • Component types on the new design but not on the original may be used to retrofit.
  • Components not used in the new design will be reclaimed.
  • There are ship components that are used to build a design but are not craftable.
    These will be scrapped if not needed on the new design, or built if required.
  • All reclaimed components and resources are gained once the retrofit is completed.
  • On confirmation, the existing ship group will be removed from the starbase and a new project for the new design will be added to the build queue.
  • Cancelling a retrofit project is costly, see Retrofit Cancellation.

  Cancel Project :

  • When the cancel button is clicked, a warning panel will display what resources are recovered.
  • Recovery amounts depend on build method and whether it had been activated (builders assigned).

    Built with resources :

    Project was activated :
    • If amortised, remaining payments are forgiven, otherwise no credits are recovered.
    • All workers are recovered.
    • 50% of the nanobit cost is recovered as scrap.
    • None of the subsidy is recovered (if used)
    Project never activated :
    • If amortised, initial payment is lost, otherwise all credits are recovered.
    • All workers are recovered.
    • All nanobits are recovered.
    • Full subsidy cost is recovered (if used).

    Built from a module :

    Project was activated :
    • No credits are recovered.
    • All workers are recovered.
    • 50% of the nanobit cost is recovered as scrap.
    Project never activated :
    • No credits are recovered.
    • All workers are recovered.
    • 80% of the nanobit cost is recovered as scrap.

    Cancel Ship Retrofit :

    Project was activated :
    • No credits are recovered.
    • All workers are recovered.
    • 50% of the nanobit cost of the new design is recovered as scrap.
    Project never activated :
    • No credits, workers, nanobits or scrap are recovered.
    • The original ship(s) are returned at 10% effectiveness.

  Amortisation :

  • Amortising a project will spread the credit cost over time.
  • There are two amortization terms :

    10 Cycle Term :

    • 10% of total credit cost paid on project confirmation.
    • 10% of total credit cost paid each cyle, for 10 cycles.
    • Total cost equals 110% of normal project cost.

    20 Cycle Term :

    • 20% of total credit cost paid on project confirmation.
    • 5% of total credit cost paid each cyle, for 20 cycles.
    • Total cost equals 120% of normal project cost.

  Build Planning :

  Overview :

  • Build planning is a way to automate the supply of building resources to build sites.
  • Plans & plan queues are set on the build panel > works yard > planning.
  • Plan Schemes may be used to add projects to the plan queue.
  • Allocate to plans (resources for builds) is set in the spaceport > plan allocation.

    Build Plan Options :

    Auto Activate :

    • When all prerequisites are available/met, the project will automatically activate.
    • If the build would place the realm in debt, the project is not activated.
    • This option is selectable only when the requirements are not already available.
      If the requirements are available, use the "Activate" button.
    • Auto activate is not available to plans where the Use Components option is selected.

      On Activation :

      • The plan will be added to the bottom of the build project queue.
      • All requirements will be depleted.
      • Any idle builders will be added to the project.
      • A message is sent to the "Build" comm channel.

    Use Module :

    • No modules are automatically shipped.
    • Resource allocation shipments are not made when Use Module is selected.
    • If Auto Activate is on and the prerequisites are met and the required module is on the starbase, the module will automatically be deployed and the project activated.

    Use Components :

    • No requirements are automatically shipped.
    • Resource allocation shipments are not made when Use Components is selected.
    • You need to send enough resources to the star to cover the requirements.
    • If the star is not contiguous with your core realm, you will neeed to ship any components to be used.
    • Auto Activate is not available when Use Components is selected. You will need to manually activate the plan when the components and resources are available.

    Use Subsidy :

    • Allocation shipments will be reduced to reflect the use of the subsidy.
    • If Auto Activate is on plan will activate when the prerequisite resources are on the starbase and sufficient subsidy and credits are available.

    No Option selected :

    • Shipments of resource requirements will automatically be shipped if Plan Allocation is on.
    • If Auto Activate is on plan will activate when the required resources are on the starbase and sufficient credits are available.

    Sequence of Tasks :

    • Create build plans at stars for the structures you wish to have.
    • Prioritize the allocation queue (not the build queue) for all your plans.
    • At stars from where you wish to supply the build resources,
      set allocate to plans to "Yes" in the spaceport > plan allocation.
    • Press "Shift P" to turn on map display planning mode, check all is as desired.
    • Once all the above steps are complete,
      Set Global Allocation to "On" at any spaceport or planning queue.
    • Resources will then be shipped from the supply stars to the stars with build plans.
    • If Global Allocation is left on, then each cycle resources will automatically be shipped to existing plans and any new ones created.

  Build Plans :

  • Build plans may be created for structures only.
  • Build plans may be created when a star does not have the resources to create the build project.
  • Use your freighters or domestic shipping (DS) to supply the resources.
  • The map display option "Plan Allocations" will help you administer your planned builds.
  • Resources moved with domestic freighters will not show until they are unloaded at the plan site.
  • UTS and DS shipments will be deducted from the displayed values.
  • The "Use Components" option does not reduce the resources shipped, as there is no way of calculating which components will be available at time of build activation.
  • You may automate the supply of build requirements using "Plan Allocation", see below.
  
  

  Plan Allocation :

  Allocation Activation :

  • This is a global setting, it sets allocation on/off for all spaceports.
  • This is not "Allocate to plans", for this see below.
  • This is set on the build panel or in the spaceport.
  • When on, any spaceport that has excess stock, will ship to your build plans.
  • When off, no shipments are automatically made.
  • When changed from "Off" to "On", automated supply will begin and shipments may be sent immediately.
  • Since plans will be supplied from the closest spaceport, it is a good idea to configure all your spaceports and prioritize your allotment queue before activating allocation.
  • When "Off", a small red "X" icon will blink on the spaceport button.

  Allotment Queue :

  • The allotment queue is global in nature.
  • This queue sets the order resources will be shipped to projects at various stars.
  • Access this on the build panel under works yard > planning.
  • Be sure to turn off allocation prior to changing your allotment queue.
  • After you create build plans, prioritize them in the allotment queue.
  • Set your plans in the order you wish them to be supplied.
  • Drag and drop a plan row to change the order.
  • New plans are placed at the bottom of this queue.

  Allocate to Plans (Setting up resource distribution stars) :

  • This is done at your spaceports.
  • Be sure to turn off allocation prior to changing these settings.
  • Set the amount of workers and nanobits that will be sent to build plans from the star.
  • If set to "No", the spaceport will not automatically supply build plans.
  • If set to "Yes", set the amount of stock you wish to retain at the star (if any).
  • Any amount in excess of the minimum stock retained, will be shipped to stars with build plans.

    Limit Range :

    • Use this option if you have more than one distribution star.
    • Limiting range will ensure that only the closest distribution star sends resources.
      ie; Rather than having resources sent from the other side of your realm, a plan will not be supplied until a closer distribution star can send the resources.
    • This enables the strategy of having several refineries to supply only nearby stars.

  Plan Schemes :

  • A scheme is a preset list of projects that may be added to a build plan queue.
  • Schemes may be found via a button on the plans panel in the works yard page.
  • Schemes created in a game will be preserved for the next game (account specific).
  • The order of the schemes may be changed by dragging and dropping a scheme row.
  • Add structure build plan projects to the scheme, then drag and drop the project bar to change the queue sequence.
  • Plan options are available, see Build Plan Options

    Applying a Scheme to a Star :

    • Use the "Apply" button on a scheme panel to add to the star.
    • Projects in the scheme are added to the bottom of the build plan queue.
    • Any projects that are already built or queued are not added.
    • Projects that are unable to activate due to improper sequencing are labeled "Error".
      ie; A level 3 habitat is placed in the queue and no level 2 is built or queued.
    • Multiple schemes may be applied at a star.
      ie; you could add a "Minimum Base" scheme and then a "Farming" scheme.

  Build Bonus Summary :

  Bonuses are multiplied, not added together.

  Structure Construction
  Source	Type	Reduces	Max.
  Tech	Architecture	Time	Lv50 : 60%
  Tech	Financial	Credits	Lv50 : 60%
  Tech	Fabrication	Nanobits	Lv50 : 60%
  Tech	Automation	Workers	Lv50 : 60%
  Ministry	Development	Time Credits Nanobits Workers	15%
  Components Used	Various	Time Credits Nanobits	Varies by Type

  Ship Production
  Source	Type	Reduces	Max.
  Tech	Integration	Time	Lv50 : 60%
  Integration has no effect at dedicated shipyards
  Tech	Efficiency	Credits	Lv50 : 60%
  Tech	Hull Design	Nanobits	Lv50 : 60%
  Tech	Robotics	Workers	Lv50 : 60%
  Ministry	Ordnance	Time Credits Nanobits Workers	15%
  Components Used	Various	Time Credits Nanobits	Varies by Type
  Shipyard	Dedicated	Time	40%
  Project	Batch Size	Time	72%

  Component Crafting
  Source	Type	Reduces	Max.
  Tech	Procurement	Credits	Lv20 : 35%
  Tech	Processing	Nanobits	Lv20 : 35%
  Tech	Specific Component	Credits	Lv20 : 57%
  Project Group A	Batch Size Min: 5 Max: 25	Credits Nanobits Time	100u 19% 100u 19% 100u 60%
  Project Group B	Batch Size Min: 10 Max: 100	Credits Nanobits Time	500u 24% 500u 24% 500u 75%

  Module Assembly
  Source	Type	Reduces	Max.
  Tech	Architecture	Time	Lv50 : 60%
  Tech	Financial	Credits	Lv50 : 60%
  Tech	Fabrication	Nanobits	Lv50 : 60%
  Tech	Automation	Workers	Lv50 : 60%
  Tech	Module Type	Credits Time	Lv10 : 45% Lv10 : 27%
  Ministry	Development	Time Credits Nanobits Workers	15%
  Components Used	Various	Time Credits Nanobits	Varies by Type
  Assembler	Dedicated	Time	40%
  Project	Batch Size	Time	70%

  Recycling :

  • Recycling turns scrap into nanobits.
  • A recycler structure is needed at the star.
  • The recycler functions automatically while scrap is on the starbase.
  • The recycler level determines the base maximum input.
  • The recycling technology increases the maximum input amount.
  • The ministry of environment increases the maximum input amount.
  • The recycler level governs how efficient the conversion rate is :

  Recycler Conversion Rates
  Recyler Level	Minimum Habitat Level	Base Maximum Scrap Input	Nanobit Conversion Rate
  1	1	1,000	40%
  2	2	2,000	60%
  3	3	3,000	80%
  4	4	4,000	100%