Matrix Games Forums

I thought you were able to retrofit a small spaceport to a medium or large space port, but in my newest shadows game I can't seem to get the option. I have everything on manual control and initially redesigned the small spaceport.

What am I missing?

You do have the SSP selected and are using the right click menu, correct? AFAIK, its still the only way to manually change the type of starport.

Also, they will automatically update to larger designs based on your policy options.

Definitely had it selected but I will give the shift right click a try. Thx

Don't need the shift or ctrl keys, just make sure you right click the base itself in the main view-screen. You will see a retrofit option there with all 3 sizes of star port to choose from.

I've had no problem retrofitting mine to larger either.

ORIGINAL: Neman
...initially redesigned the small spaceport.

If you redesigned the small space port - that is, you have a new "small space port" design that you want to use - then the manual option you want is the "upgrade" button at the bottom left of your screen when you have the port selected.

ORIGINAL: Shark7
Also, they will automatically update to larger designs based on your policy options.

I don't see this anywhere. There's a wretchedly long list of design types you can set to auto-upgrade - but that will only upgrade them to the newest design, not the largest. Where is this "upgrade to largest" option?

If you have automated construction, the bases should upgrade based on population levels. They may or may not do the same if you accept the "retrofit all" prompt after new AI designs. I don't dare accept that anymore, at least if I don't feel that I have an endless supply of money.

ORIGINAL: Kayoz


Where is this "upgrade to largest" option?

Click on policy and you will see

constructionSpaceportLargeColonyPopulationThreshold ;3000
ConstructionSpaceportMediumColonyPopulationThreshold ;500
ConstructionSpaceportSmallColonyPopulationThreshold ;30

The A.I will upscale bases based on population and available money.

I've noticed that, at least in pirate mode which I've been playing, it's no longer possible to upgrade space stations from small->medium->large. The right-click menu doesn't have the option at all, construction menu retrofit option will only allow you to upgrade to other SSP designs, and the upgrade button in the lower left corner is the same.

My solution was to temporarily edit my Medium SP design into Small SP, pick the upgrade button( make sure to deselect then reselect the station first), and then return it to a Medium SP design. It'll still technically be named a 'small space port', but at least you can keep the designs separate.

ORIGINAL: Kayoz

ORIGINAL: Neman
...initially redesigned the small spaceport.

If you redesigned the small space port - that is, you have a new "small space port" design that you want to use - then the manual option you want is the "upgrade" button at the bottom left of your screen when you have the port selected.

ORIGINAL: Shark7
Also, they will automatically update to larger designs based on your policy options.

I don't see this anywhere. There's a wretchedly long list of design types you can set to auto-upgrade - but that will only upgrade them to the newest design, not the largest. Where is this "upgrade to largest" option?

It is not under the designs sub-section, but under policies.

Under empire policies...you will find a section that suggest what to build at colonies at certain population levels. That is where you can change it. My current set up has it set so that I build SSP at 0+ population, MSP at 500m+, and LSP at 1000m. You also have an option to tell the AI to automatically build a certain type of facility as soon as a planet is colonized in the same sub-section. Bear in mind it only works if you colonize the world, invaded worlds will need action on your part, or to wait on the defined build settings.

The only thing about using policies to automate it is that the AI will wait until you have enough resources to build the space ports, so even with it set at zero population it may take a bit of time for it to actually be built.

ORIGINAL: Raap

I've noticed that, at least in pirate mode which I've been playing, it's no longer possible to upgrade space stations from small->medium->large. The right-click menu doesn't have the option at all, construction menu retrofit option will only allow you to upgrade to other SSP designs, and the upgrade button in the lower left corner is the same.

While this is true in my experience as well, I've had my base upgraded from small to medium and then large on it's own if I leave the AI in charge.