How often should you be colonizing new systems?

[Mutton]

In my first game (Sophons) I noticed at some point one of the factions nearby had about 6 systems colonized at the time that I was only just getting my third up. So I figure I was slow to expand, but with so many things to construct, I'm not sure how often I should be building colony ships.

Also, how exactly do you assimilate minor factions? Do you simply throw lots of influence at them?

[Brids17]

Not sure about the first question but for assimilation, you have to get them to 50 relations, then you can select the assimilate option. It'll then give you a quest to do for them and as long as you complete it before another player, you'll gain their system as well as any ships they have.

[Galactic Origins]

1. you should colonize as fast as possible. Try to get large systems that eventually have lots of population, and systems with resources. You might not have the colonization techs yet, but later. Also, dont get too many colonizations at a time since they take food from another system. You can change the system a colony takes food from.

2. To assimilate, click on that minor system and click on their funny icon on the planet they are on to open up the diplomacy screen. Most factions can only use 'Praise' which gives +1 friendliness per turn and can then keep doing that until you open the Assimilate dialogue (which usually forces a quest to complete to get the minor.)

[csatrad]

whenever you gather more then 5 food you should colonize. In any other cases colonization does a negative impact.

[Red Star, Blood Moon]

Often in the beginning but only on some choicer systems. Don't bother with crappy ones that are like two ice worlds. Be aware in the beginning of how it might work as a strategic choke point, resource producer, and influence zone liability etc later. Also be aware that your outposts consume lots of food. It is very easy to go full Gorta Mor on your existing colonies with colonization that you often won't notice until being informed you lost a population then checking and seeing you're at like -81 food in that system. Also be aware of the severe over colonization penalty. If you try to play your expansion like other 4x games you'll end up with empire wide rebellions and starvation in no time (also unlike others, fully rebellious colonies don't ding industry production but -75% food, which is supposed to represent them "leaving" I think but basically rebellion usually=mass starvation)

Two ways, well technically 3 if you want to just fully war them and conquer it. One is having suzerainship i.e. being the sovereign of them through influence being given an option to assimilate with influence. This is normally very Inf expensive. The other is to pay dust and be given some kind of quest or task to complete to get them to join you. This route looks cheaper but often takes way longer and can be way more convoluted and difficult to achieve, depending. Also watch out for AI's trying to steal your minor out from under you.

[strike478]

You should colonise as often as you can/good opportunity arises.
It is hardly worth colonising system with only 1 planet but if there is 4 or more planets of desired type with resources or effects you should colonise quickly.

It is hard to tell whats the right procedure. It all depends on situation. You dont dash to piece of bread but you sprint to big steak with sauce dont you? You dont steal from rotwailers bowl unless meat is really juicy and you can handle previous owners wrath.