I've continually had my fleets get stuck in friendly territory right next to a friendly planet (haven't yet really invaded as much to see if it happens in enemy territory). Obviously a bug though, and I couldn't select them afterwards for some reason.



I do wish that I could at least blockade the entrances to my territory though. Enemy ships going right past a planet of mine with a fleet there... seems off, especially since when I try to do the same thing I've always get thrown into battle.

Mainah wrote:
And I suppose pirates don't spawn within your influence range. What would be lovely is if pirates couldn't move into your influence range. I totally get them moving into your outposts and possibly taking them over (think Caribbean) but it's not like piracy was a huge issue in the Irish Sea at the same period.

As you mentioned this I think they really don´t spawn inside my borders

And I suppose pirates don't spawn within your influence range. What would be lovely is if pirates couldn't move into your influence range. I totally get them moving into your outposts and possibly taking them over (think Caribbean) but it's not like piracy was a huge issue in the Irish Sea at the same period.

My full understanding of the territory (influence) boarder system:



Once you colonise a new system. you have to wait until your new system which starts as an outpost to become a full fledged colony (usually takes about 30 turns. You can check this on the top left when you click on the system). Once it becomes a colony it creates a circle of your territory which become your boarders. You can increase the size of your boarders through research (i believe they are on the left tech tree) to unlock new improvements to build for said effect.



Sometimes when your boarders grow they will cover parts of other systems that nobody controls. So when your territory touches an unclaimed system it essentially becomes "inside your boarders". An empire that wishes to travel to that system or even just through it would not be allowed to. Basically. nobody can travel through anybodies territory unless they are in a state of war, Or are at peace and have signed an "open boarders" treaty. It can be a great way to basically cut off entire areas to other empires if you plan it right.



Any system you have that isn't a colony yet and just an outpost is fair game while in a state of "cold war" and can be fought over without delcaring war. So be sure to guard any systems that don't have a territory circle around them.

Scratch wrote:
I've been prevented from colonising a system that was covered by another empire's influence area. The fact that I had an open borders agreement with them didn't seem to make any difference.

This is interesting though, very cool.

The bar seems to be the invasion counter, it slowly regains its strength over time.

halflotus wrote:
Also to add:



Your original system has an influence area to begin with.

Newly colonized systems must fill up the colored bar (aka the invasion bar) in galaxy view before their influence area activates. (this took ~30 turns in my first quick test)



If you build a Camo Radiator before your influence activates, it seems to expand your viewable area (the light gray circle around system), but will not activate or affect your influence (colored area) until the bar fills up.

The bar is unrelated i think. I'm pretty sure i've had systems before become colonies and activate the territory circle and still had the bar filling up underneath.

I've been prevented from colonising a system that was covered by another empire's influence area. The fact that I had an open borders agreement with them didn't seem to make any difference.

Ramireus wrote:
I am not so far in the game, but maybe enveloping enemy (friends) colonies will allow you to take over them...

Doesn't happen, I've had my influence area completely envelop another empire's system

Also to add:



Your original system has an influence area to begin with.

Newly colonized systems must fill up the colored bar (aka the invasion bar) in galaxy view before their influence area activates. (this took ~30 turns in my first quick test)



If you build a Camo Radiator before your influence activates, it seems to expand your viewable area (the light gray circle around system), but will not activate or affect your influence (colored area) until the bar fills up.

Wade wrote:
Not entirely related. Perhaps I missed this in the tutorial, but how can you increase your influence area?

It seems to slowly increase over time, also there are some buildings you can construct which do it. The first one I think you unlock is the camouflage radiator.



Also, thanks Ramireus, I think you're right about the need for open borders to move within others' influence areas.

Not entirely related. Perhaps I missed this in the tutorial, but how can you increase your influence area?

well, I found that it mainly creates zone where noone without war or open borders can enter...



I am not so far in the game, but maybe enveloping enemy (friends) colonies will allow you to take over them...