Initiating Hostilities

[sonofliberty (OP)]

How do I attack currently non-hostile ships? I started a new game to capitalize on what I have learned from the last and stumbled into an npr right next door. I appear to have a tech advantage and want to attack now while that is the case. They also have a very nice homeworld, and I want it.

[ollobrains]

blow up a few of their ships or invade a colony soon theyll go red

[Nightstar]

In f8, uncheck "Show Hostile Contacts Only". Also note that your attitude towards them and their attitude towards you can be DIFFERENT. You can set your attitude towards them as hostile in ctrl+f5. (military cooperation level)

[sonofliberty (OP)]

blow up a few of their ships or invade a colony soon theyll go red

That was my plan. I could not even target them though. So I landed 20 battalions on their homeworld, even that did not turn them red. 

[sonofliberty (OP)]

In f8, uncheck "Show Hostile Contacts Only". Also note that your attitude towards them and their attitude towards you can be DIFFERENT. You can set your attitude towards them as hostile in ctrl+f5. (military cooperation level)

I finally got my war by checking "hostile" in the diplomacy page.