I actually tried using the same method that traditions use to grant empire-wide trade protection bonuses.

"local_trade_protection_add = X"

It's possible that it just might not show on the module but still actually apply the effects. I'll take a second look at it.

defense modules*

I knew about that. The PV being made an empire effect was just a thought of the moment during the wee hours of the night. I think it... Might be possible to manage, given the fact there are effects that increase trade protection value for all starbases from traditions. Double check how that implements its bonus to see if similar can be done to defenses?

@Velaroz
Thanks for letting me know. Unfortunately, I was unable to turn the protection values to an empire effect. I did convert the collection range to a system trade value multiplier at a 1 to 0.05 ratio to compensate however.

Maybe modify the "Protection values" to be an empire effect, at a 5:1 ratio? If it is possible to do such, that is.

He added a new starbase building/modified an existing one. [Starbase Optimal Systems, unlocks with Citadels]

Now gives:
+3 collection range
+2 protection range
+35 protection

Also, a thing I've noticed: Starbases having a protection value without protection range is meaningless, since Piracy doesn't occur in systems with a Starbase anyway.

Update

I think this may be related to what Ridesdragons posted a while back, but I found that the "tprpf_starbase_levels.txt" file doesn't have the line "display_map_icon = no", which is causing all ouposts to show up with icons on the galaxy map (as the default value is yes).

I'm guessing this was unintentional

<3 u guys now if they can only fix their own game :P

Awesome glad to help

well I guess that's one way to ensure vanilla code always gets overwritten by mod code...

it's a good thing I have the habit of merging my edits into both mods instead of relying on only putting it in one lol

anyway, seems to work and I don't see any errors with a quick sweep of the files. thanks again

It seems like as long as you use the 00_ prefix any other mod will replace it regardless of load order. Also, no other changes were made from the base TPRPF mod, so as long as youre using the two in conjunction everything should work fine.

did you not need to overwrite the outpost from the ship_sizes/00_starbases.txt file? it's easy enough to fix on my end (only had to change 4 lines and 2 were my own pesonal edits) but still

also, stellaris bases load order off of alphabet. ! is before T and 0 is before t, with the only exceptions being when you include a replace path in the descriptor.mod, which this mod doesn't have, so...

how the hell did you successfully overwrite starbase extended lol