Colony ships, troop transports, and scout fleets that lack combat-capable escorts will automatically try to avoid hostile stars when plotting a route. This includes stars containing space monsters and enemy fleets at war with you.
Rerouting
When you send an unarmed fleet to a destination, the pathfinder will attempt to plot a safe route that avoids known threats. If a safe alternative exists, the fleet takes the longer but safer path. If no safe route exists, the fleet will travel through danger.
Transit Encounters
If an unarmed fleet in transit discovers a new threat along its path, it will attempt to reroute mid-journey. If rerouting fails, the fleet retreats to its origin star.
Retreat Damage
- Fleeing from hostiles carries risk of damage or ship loss.
- Stronger threats are harder to escape.
- A fleet will never be completely destroyed during a retreat — at least one ship always survives.
- Escort unarmed ships with combat vessels to avoid these risks.