Capture is a growth tool
Pax Autocratica does not rely on a simple recruit button. Many valuable additions to your regime come from the battlefield. With enough Capture Rounds, enemies can become future soldiers, workers, or resources for the state.
This makes capture one of the most important expedition goals. A run that brings home a strong prisoner can be more valuable than a run that only clears a few extra fights.
Bring Capture Rounds
Avoid deciding to recruit after you are already in space. If capturing is part of the plan, prepare Capture Rounds before departure and bring enough to act when the right target appears.
Use capture when:
- Your colony needs more population.
- You spot a valuable enemy type.
- An elite or Boss enemy has strong affixes.
- You are not ready to finish the sector but can still return with gains.
Look for elite traits
Elite and Boss enemies can keep important modifiers after capture. During a battle, pay attention to enemy type and visible strengths before choosing who to eliminate and who to capture.
The best target is not always the biggest threat. Sometimes the right prisoner is the one whose role fills a gap in your current colony or expedition squad.
Prisoners connect base and expedition play
Captured enemies are part of the same loop as research, ship upgrades, and soldier management. Expeditions produce captives. The base turns captives into useful population or regime value. A stronger population then supports better expeditions.
Before you chase more prisoners, make sure the base can handle them. Prison capacity, food, work needs, and soldier assignments all matter once the captives return.
Capture or eliminate?
Eliminating enemies is faster and safer when a fight is already dangerous. Capturing is better when you have control, enough rounds, and a target worth bringing home.
Use this rule of thumb:
- Capture high-value or rare targets when the squad is safe.
- Eliminate dangerous enemies when capture would risk the run.
- Retreat after a valuable capture if the rest of the expedition is no longer worth the risk.