How do you organize your stations/economy

[LughC]

Depends, if I'm doing a terran run then it's generally one mega factory + a solar array up in mercury.

I will then build additional shipyards/repair docks and storage depots around the map.


If it's not terran then most stations are only producing 1-2 things.

[Mevelios]

Option 2; while I do have two exceptions (one superstation in Avarice considering the sector's wealth in resources, and a large autonomous PHQ for all wares) I prefer resorting to smaller stations with a full line of production, with a target product in mind. Such as field coils; if I want a station to produce it, I'd include production modules for intermediary components, and assign the necessary miners to that end trying to stick to resources found one sector away at most (sometimes two, gases aren't as widely available as minerals). Everything else is provided by internal transfers, I never rely on AIs for outsourcing - the player has a heavy influence on how AIs can develop so I'd rather provide to see them flourish, at least those I'm friendly with.

I wanted to create smaller stations with a single product in mind (option 3) but had a poor experience with the management of its logistics. That's the sort of thing I'd do had we a trade route system (reminds of a german competitor, eh?) so I could accurately monitor my shortages anytime I overexpand, but the automation isn't as satisfying. The repeat orders option doesn't compensate neither.