Combat

When you land on a neutral planet, your forces claim it for your empire without any difficulties. When you land on a planet held by your opponent or by the Melnikons, however, victory is determined by a comparison of each side's Combat Strength, with ties going to the defender.

The results of the combat are displayed in the Landscape View window. If you win, the planet is yours. If you lose, your attacking force is wiped out, but not before they send back a report on the planet indicating the level of defenses, technology and resource production.

Other forms of combat include planet-based rocket and ion beam attacks and sabotage missions.

*Note: if you successfully invade a planet with advanced technologies such as missile bases, planetary shields or scanners, those items are destroyed in the battle. Advanced resource production facilities are not destroyed, however, with the increased production facility remaining as the spoils of victory.

The Alien Menace
There is also a chance that your weaker planets will be subjected to an alien invasion. The cowardly Melnikons prey on poorly-defended planets only, so it is advised that planets have at least 4 troops or 1 mech to defend against this threat.