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Colonization is the process of creating new planets: the more planets you have, the more resources, structures, and fleet you’ll have. Below is information on how to colonize, how many planets you can have, and what determines their size and temperature. All numbers are taken from the game’s code.
Where the data comes from. The mechanics and numbers are taken directly from the game engine (the War of Alliances universe). Where the in-game help text differs from how the code actually works, we follow the code and note this. Planet cards can be found in the Planets section of the encyclopedia.
How Colonization Works
- The "Engineering Ship" serves as the colonizer. After researching "Colonization," this ship can establish a new planet. One ship is consumed upon successful colonization.
- Only on an unoccupied point. You can only colonize coordinates where there is no planet yet. You cannot occupy an already occupied point.
- After you leave, the location is locked for 24 hours. If you abandon the planet, its coordinates remain locked for 24 hours—you won't be able to "return" there immediately.
The in-game help refers to the colonizer as a separate ship called the “Colonizer,” but in the actual code, this role is filled by the Engineering Ship—use that as your guide.
How many planets can you have?
- Starting point: 1 planet; upper limit: 18.
- The limit increases with the "Colonization" research: each level of this research adds +1 to the number of planets. In other words, it is this research—not Astrophysics—that determines how many planets you can have.
The in-game help links the number of planets to Astrophysics—this text is outdated. In the source code, the “Colonization” research track determines the planet limit****. Astrophysics affects expeditions, not the number of planets.
Size of the planet (field)
The size of the planet is measured in “plots”—these are areas designated for buildings.
- A typical new planet yields approximately 200–270 fields (randomly within this range).
- The first colonies are larger. Your first two colonies are created as "large" colonies—with the maximum number of fields (270). This makes it easier for a new player to get started.
- The "Large Planet" artifact also grants a planet 270 spaces away when colonized (and is consumed in the process).
- The home planet starts with a fixed value of 250 fields.
Temperature by Orbit
A planet's temperature depends on its orbit (its position in the system): the closer it is to the star, the hotter it is; the farther away, the colder it is. This is important: cold planets produce more deuterium, while warm planets are better for energy.
| Orbit | Temperature (approximate) |
|---|---|
| 1 (next to the star) | It's very hot, over +220 °C |
| 2 | hot, +150…+225 °C |
| 3 | heat, +75…+150 °C |
| 4 | moderate, 0…+75 °C |
| 5 | cool, −75…0 °C |
| 6 | cold, −150…−75 °C |
| 7 | very cold, −225…−150 °C |
| 8 (edge) | frozen, below −225 °C |
There are up to 8 orbits in the system—the higher the number, the farther the planet is from the star.
For more information on how temperature affects deuterium, see the article Temperature and Deuterium.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you colonize a planet? An engineering ship—after completing the “Colonization” research. One ship is used per colony.
How many planets can you have? From 1 at the start to a maximum of 18. The "Colonization" research increases the cap (+1 per level).
Why are my first colonies so big? That's the plan: the first two colonies are established on the maximum number of fields (270) so there's room to build.
What determines temperature? From the orbit: the closer to the star, the hotter; the farther away, the colder. Colder planets are more favorable for deuterium.
