Defending planets with fleets

Research the Planetary Defense techs, then you can construct an Orbital Fleet Manager. Having one of those causes your best orbiting ships to fleet together up to your logistics limit.

Thanks.

Of course some see this as a disadvantage because it means the enemy can take your planet in one attack, rather than having to spend a few turns killing each ship off seperately.

Of course, if at all possible the ideal course of action is to intercept the enemy fleet. You should never let it come to defending if you can help it

Sometimes there are just to many fleets to attack in one turn and make it back home

Of course, if at all possible the ideal course of action is to intercept the enemy fleet. You should never let it come to defending if you can help it

Not with the 1.2beta... with first strike gone, you're better off staying in orbit and making use of the weapon bonus.

I wish you could build a starbase on top of a planet to defend it.

It still helps when you can pick your battles, and if possible, take out any transports.

I guess it depends. If the AI has got its act together fleetwise, you're better off in orbit. If not, obviously sortie to catch them off guard.

While you can't actually build a starbase right on top of a planet to defend it, if you build a military base nearby it can grant all sorts of additional bonuses to ships defending the planet. This forces attacking fleets to take out these fortifying bases first.

It should be stated that Hyperon Planetary Defense should give you a unlimited logistical limit when built on a planet for that planet, allowing one to create rather monster defense fleets. Unless it's broken ( i've never actually had to defend my worlds, and therefore have never used these devices myself. )

edit: Sorry, that's Hyperon Fleet Defense. I think.