I'm mid-50s rank and yet to attempt a planet takeover (haven't needed to, thus far: unoccupied planets have been sufficient). There are some occupied planets I've picked up that I like the look of, so I'm thinking to try a planet capture next time I can get a planet.

What I'm wondering is: Is there any generally-accepted etiquette to planetary takeovers?

It's fairly obvious to me that inactive players' planets are fair game, and that if an active player is making good use of his planet it would be rude of me to steal it unprovoked (I wouldn't want someone to do that to me). The ones I'm questioning are held by players twice my size, but they don't appear to be making use of the planets.

For example, there's a rank 100+ player with an Average, Very Rich planet. He has 17 structures installed, all the lowest level, and only half producing resources. The rest are entry-level attack, defense, population. Possibly inactive, but I can't remember exactly what rank the owner was when I scanned the planet three weeks ago.

Or, there's a Large, Very Rich planet occupied by a different rank 100+. Probably only semi-active (he's gained one rank in three weeks), but he is the leader of a small legion. These are the only structures on it:

• Surface Bunkers Defense: 25
• Surface Bunkers Defense: 25
• Orbital Minefield Attack: 25
• Orbital Minefield Attack: 25
• Research Station Research: 1
• Surface Scanner Artifact: 1

I could easily take either of these planets, and I think I would be justified in doing so (the owners are not really using them; why should they be allowed to keep them?). But would such a takeover be reasonable in the eyes of an outside observer? Could it be done without making me a target to the owner's legion?

Thanks for opinions & advice.

you invade planets at your own risk and you have to be prepared to defend the planet and yourself if the owner's inactive, good for you, if not, DEFEND!

no real etiquette... generally, taking a planet that's currently occupied will tick off the other person....

and people choose planets for all kinds of reasons... production rate... type... size.... special artifacts on it....

i say... just do it, but expect retaliation as small as a thank you for taking a shmitty planet... or as severe as having an entire top 10 legion on you and your entire legion....

I you want it take it.. How ever I all most never hit back if they attack me. a few times I did cause I was in a bad mood or did not like the kid but most the time I let them badge away.

Yeah, take the planet if you can, but don't send your Legion after them if they just hit you back for it.

Take the chance if you feel you can hold your own, however its probably wise to pan the forums for legions currently taking very aggressive actions against planet takers already, your take may get more revenge than the average player

And the hardest thing to do, if you take it, dont auto set it all to att and defence with no production ... after all, thats not how youre gonna run it a week or so onwards down the line so dont have it hold and get no production, find the solid build asap and see how it fares

Thanks, everyone. Good, sensible advice - just what I was after. It does seem a logical answer to try it out but not expect that I can go crying to my legion if it fails!

I'm still a couple of levels away from being able to claim another planet, so I'll watch these two until then. If they don't change, I'll try taking one and just see what happens!

Just take it, and alert to your legion to guard it.

Some people subscribe to the etiquette of only taking inactive players worlds. An inactive player is someone (generally) who doesn't level up for a week.

There is no standard etiquette for taking over an active player's world. If they notice you've done so, they will likely retaliate in force, probably with their legion's assistance. The etiquette I subscribe to is to be friendly in the comms, accept some measure of a beating for taking the world (I fight back if they act like jerks) and if they ask what planet it was, I tell them.