- 1). Build the colony ship required to start new colonies. In order to be able to build a colony ship, you first must have researched the necessary technologies. From the "Shipyard" menu, click the "Colony Ship" located under the "Civil Ships" section. If the ship is grayed out, you do not have the technology or resources yet to build the ship. Click the "Techtree" button to view the required research. Once you have met the technology requirements, gather the resources listed until you have enough. When ready, click "Build" from the colony ship display to construct the vessel.
- 2). Find a suitable planet to habitat. Click the "Galaxy" button. Each planet uses a series of three numbers that represent its coordinates. The first number is the galaxy, followed by the system number and finally the planetary slot. Each planet in a system falls into one of the number slots. Any slot that does not have a planet listed in it is inhabitable. Locate an empty slot in the system of your choosing and make a note of its coordinates.
- 3). Send the colonization mission. Click the "Fleet" button. Select the colony ship and click "Continue." Enter the coordinates for your new colony into the "Choose Target" screen. Click "Continue" and select the "Colonization" button followed by "Continue" again. The colony ship will be dispatched. Once it reaches the location, it will establish a new colony, adding it to your empire.
- 4). Transport resources to the new colony and begin building the infrastructure. Do not send any cargo ships or resources along with the colony ship; wait until the colony is established first. Send cargo ships to the new planet using the same method. Once the new colony has enough resources, begin building up the infrastructure and defenses.
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