Advanced Colonisation Strategies and Mechanics

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• Basic Setup Guide
• Construction Process
• Building Your Colony
• Advanced Strategies (You are here)
• Economy and Expansion
• Hauling Tips & Tricks
• Reference Tables

Greetings, Commander!

Installation Prerequisites and Dependencies

Many installations in the colonisation system have specific prerequisites that aren’t explicitly stated in-game. Understanding these dependencies is crucial for efficient planning:

Failure to build prerequisites first will result in the game preventing you from constructing the dependent facility, potentially derailing your colonisation timeline.

First Installation Resource Surcharge

Your primary starport (first installation) requires significantly more resources than subsequent structures of the same type. This surcharge varies by tier:

For example, a Tier 3 Ocellus Starport normally requires approximately 209,000 tons of commodities, but as a first installation, it would require about 250,800 tons – a difference of over 40,000 tons!

This surcharge makes the T3-first strategy even more resource-intensive than it initially appears.

System Attribute Maximization

Different installations have dramatically different effects on your system’s attributes. Here are the most impactful installations for each attribute:

Strategic placement of these high-impact installations can dramatically shape your system’s development. For example, if you’re creating a high-tech research system, prioritizing Scientific Hubs and Bio Research Settlements will rapidly increase your technology level.

Construction Point Optimization

Not all Tier 2 installations are created equal when it comes to earning Tier 3 construction points:

This makes large settlements twice as efficient for earning Tier 3 points, allowing you to progress to advanced structures more quickly.

Known Game Issues and Workarounds

The colonisation system contains some known bugs and inconsistencies:

• Installation Type Mismatches: Some installations appear correctly in the menu but build as different types:

  • Eirene Satellite builds as a Scientific Installation
  • Ichnaea Relay builds as a Communications Installation

• Landing Pad Discrepancies: Several settlements advertise different landing pad sizes than what they actually provide in-game. Always verify the landing pad size before committing to a build.

• Visual Rendering Issues: Some completed buildings may display differently in your system than what you originally selected. This is purely a visual issue and doesn’t affect functionality.

Always consult the Colony Planner Tool or DaftMav’s spreadsheet for the most current information before committing resources to construction.

Economy Development Strategies

Your system’s economy is determined by the cumulative effect of your installations. Each installation either establishes an initial economy type or influences the development of existing economies:

Creating a focused economy by building complementary installations can maximize trade opportunities and system specialization. For example, a High Tech system benefits most from multiple research installations, while a Military system gains synergy from security stations and military outposts.