defense Building Comparison
Ion Disruption Tower vs Planetary Shield Dome
Comparing the Ion Disruption Tower 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 | Ion Disruption Tower | Planetary Shield Dome |
|---|---|---|
| Max level | 10 | 10 |
| Base cost | 1,600 metal, 2,000 crystal, 500 gas | 2,000 metal, 3,000 crystal |
| Upkeep | 22 energy, 15 crystal | 60 energy, 30 crystal |
| ion disable chance / level | +0.04★ | — |
| enemy weapon debuff / level | +0.03★ | — |
| planetary shield hp / level | — | +5,000★ |
★ marks the higher per-level output. Compare against your base's current bottleneck before committing a plot.
Ion Disruption Tower
Emits focused ion pulses that disrupt enemy ship electronics — disabling weapon systems, navigation, and shields temporarily. Highly effective against automated and drone-heavy fleets.
Requires tech: ion weapons iii
Requires building: sensor tower
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.