Worlds & colonies
Neutral planets & settlement periods
Scout a neutral planet, defeat its defence and open the timed settlement period needed to found a colony.
How it works
Neutral planets belong to no player. Their development tiers and garrisons differ; a garrison is the force defending a planet. Appearance gives a broad threat estimate, while a probe can provide more detail. Higher-tier garrisons can replenish, so old reports may no longer match.
A decisive raid victory opens a timed settlement period. Victory does not give you ownership. You must send a settlement fleet with free colony capacity, Couriers and founding resources. It must arrive before the period ends.
The raid winner receives an initial priority period only if they have free colony capacity when settlement opens. Other commanders can compete after that priority ends.
Your next decision
Check settlement travel time before raiding. Even after a victory, your fleet may be too far away to settle before the deadline. During an open settlement period, compare your arrival time with its countdown.
Neutral raids can bring resources and expansion opportunities. They do not transfer PvP Dominion. The neutral planet’s tier is separate from the attack-band rule used between players.