[Noble713]

A) The computer is using weapon platforms. They are a great way to defend your colonies. To build them:

1. Go to Design screen, click create and select "Weapon Platform". You design them just like ships.
2. Find a planet that you want to defend and open its construction queue. Click on the "Units" button on the right. This will display all units, including fighters, satellites, mines, and WPs.

Limitations: They eat up lots of cargo space, can't be upgraded, and can't move to another planet without a transport.


B)Weapon mounts are an option available to large ships. For the cost of extra space, they vastly increase the amount of damage inflicted. While designing a ship, simply click on the "Weapon Mount" button on the right, select a mount usable by a ship/unit of that size, and then add the desired weapons. The current mount size you are using is displayed right about the components list, and any components with mounts will have a letter (L, H, or M, for example) in the upper left of the image.