Sector Bonus
How do sector bonuses work in Old Light?
The galaxy is divided into named sectors, each with one fixed bonus set when the galaxy was created. The single empire whose territory covers at least 60% of a sector holds its bonus. Coverage is measured by border territory, not by how many systems you own.
The galaxy is divided into named sectors, and every sector grants a bonus to the single empire whose territory covers at least 60% of it.
You can see their names on the map when you zoom out.
How it works
Each sector has one fixed bonus, decided when the galaxy was created. It never changes. The bonus and its strength are visible to everyone, right under the sector's name on the map.
Bigger sectors give bigger bonuses. The strength ranges from +5% for the smallest sectors to +20% for the largest.
Coverage is measured by territory, not by how many systems you own. Your empire's borders (see Empire & Borders) are what counts. Spread your systems so their territory blankets the sector.
Only one empire can hold a sector's bonus at a time. The 60% line is a hard threshold: cross it and the bonus is yours; drop below it and the bonus is gone immediately. There is no grace period — once a holder falls under 60%, nobody holds the sector until someone crosses 60% again.
The five bonuses
Production - your extractors in this sector produce more palladium and iridium.
Defense - your fleets defending systems in this sector fight harder.
Build speed - structures in this sector upgrade faster.
Ship build speed - shipyards in this sector produce ships faster.
Fleet upkeep - ships stationed in this sector cost fewer credits per day.
Sector-local
A sector bonus only applies inside that sector: the systems you own there, the battles you defend there, the ships parked there. Holding a production sector does nothing for your systems elsewhere. But nothing stops you from dominating more than one sector.
Mostly harmless.
Common questions
What sector bonuses can I get?
Five exist: Production boosts extractor output, Defense strengthens fleets defending there, Build speed upgrades structures faster, Ship build speed produces ships faster, and Fleet upkeep lowers the daily credit cost for ships stationed there.
How strong is a sector bonus?
Bigger sectors give bigger bonuses. Strength ranges from +5% for the smallest sectors to +20% for the largest. Each sector's bonus and its strength are shown under its name on the map, visible to everyone.
Can I lose a sector bonus?
Yes. The 60% line is a hard threshold with no grace period. Drop below it and the bonus is gone immediately, and nobody holds the sector until an empire crosses 60% again.
