This unit cannot phase jump? LEV Construction Frigate?

[Rootaah]

I have been away from Sins for years and just recently got back into playing. This is driving me crazy. I cannot move my construction frigates to other areas and planets outside my starting area, as it constantly says 'This unit cannot phase jump'. What the heck am I missing? Is it a research thing I am missing? I'm combing through the items in research and think I'm hitting the required ones, long range jump, etc., and still nothing. I've tried clicking manually on the move icon and then pointing to the planet, yet, same thing.

[Sagi]

construction frigates are planet based and cost you nothing.
They can indeed not phase jump. You want more construction frigates you need to upgrade your logistic and or tactical planet upgrades.
long range jump research only make your regular ships beign able to jump from star to star wich is only needed in a multi star map.

[malvex_pavak17]

Construction frigates are not units you really command, you just order stuff to be built at the planet you own and they go build it in that planet's gravity well. You can upgrade your planet to get more made (and the possibility to increase the quantity of buildings built) but you don't make construction frigates, they just spawn at your owned planet but that has the upside of if someone destroys them new ones appear for free. Now, the TEC can get them to lay mines with research (but still nothing more, no leaving the gravity well, no doing anything else but build) but all in all one should be pretty hands off with them otherwise.

[Rootaah]

Hmmm...ok. I suppose my confusion comes from wanting to build mining nodes in the other areas? With asteroids, planets, etc. If I can't move the frigates to other areas, do I literally need to colonize those areas first?

[malvex_pavak17]

sorry, didn't refresh the page :(

[malvex_pavak17]

yes, and areas you can't colonize can likely be captured with a colony frigate

[malvex_pavak17]

well, the vasari can capture uncolonizable stuff with their scout, like at gas giants, but otherwise you colonize everything.

[Rootaah]

Awesome thank you! That makes sense and I kinda remember that aspect now. Appreciate the help!!!