Starbases
Starbases are the hubs of civilisation in Interstellar War. They're where you dock, repair, trade, buy ships, manage cargo, and regroup between operations.
Docking
To dock at a starbase, set course toward it. When you arrive, you'll automatically dock if the starbase accepts you:
- Your faction's starbases — always accessible
- Allied faction starbases — accessible if diplomatic standings allow
- Hostile starbases — docking refused
When docked, your ship is safe. You cannot be attacked while inside a starbase.
Services
Ship Purchase
Starbases sell ships. Available ships depend on the starbase and your Command skill level:
- Browse available ship types
- Check stats, module slots, and price
- Purchase with credits
- Your new ship appears in the starbase hangar
Tip: You need sufficient Command skill to pilot larger ship classes. Don't buy a ship you can't fly.
Ship Repair
Docked ships can be repaired for credits:
- Repair cost scales with the amount of damage
- Both hull and shields are restored to full
- Faster than waiting for passive repair
Ship Management
At a starbase you can:
- Launch — undock and enter the system
- Park — switch to a different ship stored at the base
- Repackage — convert a ship back into an inventory item for storage or sale
- Decommission — permanently remove a ship
Cargo & Inventory
Your items are stored at specific starbases:
- Load items from the starbase onto your ship (limited by cargo capacity)
- Unload items from your ship into the starbase
- Items only exist at the starbase where they're stored — they don't follow you
Production
Starbases have production facilities for refining and crafting:
- Up to 17 production job slots per starbase
- Submit a recipe with required materials and credits
- Wait for the job to complete
- Collect the finished product
See the Trading & Economy guide for more on production.
Starbase Defence
Starbases are protected by automated weapon batteries in three roles:
| Battery Type | Role |
|---|---|
| Short Range | Hits hardest per shot but struggles to track fast, agile targets |
| Medium Range | A balanced battery with good tracking against most ships |
| Long Range | Low per-shot damage but extremely high tracking — very hard to evade, even at speed |
A fully built-up starbase fields many of each. These batteries automatically engage hostile ships within range.
Starbase Vulnerability
Starbases are not always attackable:
- The is_vulnerable flag must be active for a starbase to take damage
- A faction's primary starbase cannot be destroyed
- When a starbase is destroyed, it enters a 3-hour reinforcement timer before its health resets
Attacking a starbase is a major operation. It requires coordination, siege-capable ships, and enough firepower to overcome the defence batteries.
Tips
- Always repair before launching — passive repair is slow
- Check which starbase your items are at — inventory is location-bound
- Park spare ships — keep backup ships at friendly starbases
- Know your escape routes — which friendly starbases are nearest to your operating area?