Conquering systems with a starbase from "major threats" with "end threat" war goal

[jarhead]

Question: I have a neighboring empire that is branded “a major threat” (I guess because they are fanatical purifyers). Hence I can’t/don’t have to claim their systems to take those systems from them. I went to war with them and as a war goal I could only choose “end threat”. I took some systems and whereas their systems without starbase became instantly mine, their systems with a starbase could only be occupied. The problem is that I can only settle for a status quo, thus losing the occupied systems with a starbase after the war. How can I own these systems? Am I missing something here?

[IPWIW]

the colonies

[Elitewrecker PT]

Ownership transition requires fully occupying the system - this includes invading the colonies.

[wildlifeluvr]

Make sure you are in empire mode, not diplomacy mode or other mode. When in empire mode, hover over a system. It will tell you if it is "fully occupied" or "partially occupied" (has a colony).

There is also a graphical representation of a fully occupied enemy system ... it has 4 protruding "spikes", what looks like an "X" through the system with only the terminal end-points showing.

If partially occupied, transport assault army(s) and take the colony. I won't get into "how to take a colony by force" as that's for another discussion thread but convert a partially occupied system to fully occupied.