defense Building Comparison
Defense Turret vs Planetary Shield Dome
Comparing the Defense Turret and Planetary Shield Dome, both defense buildings in Starforge MMO. Base plots and energy upkeep are scarce, so use this to decide which structure earns its slot first.
Build & Output Comparison
| Attribute | Defense Turret | Planetary Shield Dome |
|---|---|---|
| Max level | 20 | 10 |
| Base cost | 500 metal, 300 crystal | 2,000 metal, 3,000 crystal |
| Upkeep | 8 energy, 5 metal | 60 energy, 30 crystal |
| planetary defense power / level | +100★ | — |
| planetary shield hp / level | — | +5,000★ |
★ marks the higher per-level output. Compare against your base's current bottleneck before committing a plot.
Defense Turret
Automated kinetic turret. Defends planet from enemy fleets.
Requires tech: weapons 1
Planetary Shield Dome
Energy dome protecting the entire planet. Absorbs damage before turrets.
Requires tech: defense 2
Requires building: defense turret
Which Should You Build First?
Both are defense buildings, so the choice depends on your current bottleneck. Prioritise the structure whose highlighted per-level output addresses your scarcest resource, and weigh that against its energy upkeep — a high output that drains your power grid can stall the rest of your base.