Troops

Troops are units used to attack or defend in a Colony Assault.

Offensive troops are created by building Transport ships or Troop Pods. Defensive troops are created by the presence of Infantry Barracks Buildings and by certain Racial Perks.

Offensive troops which survive a successful Colony Assault become defensive troops on the newly conquered Colony. Offensive  Troops may also be landed onto any friendly Colony, as defensive Troops, after  ship combat (the Disembark icon appears at the top of the system display). There is no way for defensive troops to become offensive troops. There is a maximum limit of troops that can be present on a Colony, equal to 1/10 the maximum Population of the planet.

Troops have an attack strength and a defense strength, per unit. Both values are increased by the Troop Improvement type of Technology Advance, and also by certain Racial Perks. These troop strength values apply to all troops of a specific empire at a point in time, and all troops are immediately updated on a gaining the relevant Technology Advance.

Troop combat occurs by alternating rounds of attack and defense. In each round the attack strength of one side is compared to the defense strength of the other. Losses are applied, then the roles are reversed for the next round. Rounds continue until one side is fully eliminated.