Enemy movement between starsystems

[Kirkegaard (OP)]

I have a short beginner question. How does the enemies (NPC) get around?
Do they need jump gates or do they move around freely? If yes do they build their own?

[Rastaman]

They build gates as well as jump ships.

[Kirkegaard (OP)]

Thanks.

Stupid question "jump ships" can they jump without a gate?

[NihilRex]

Yes, Jumpships dont need gates, and can bring non-jump ships the same size or smaller with them

[Haji]

I don't have much experience with NPR's but reading several campaigns posted on those forums, they build jump gates everywhere and they are capable of building ships capable of both self-jump and squadron transit. The first means that only the ship with jump engine can jump, while the latter means that the jump ship can escort several (2-4) ships with it, granting jump capability to ships without their own dedicated engines.

[Wolfius]

Essentially, AFAIK, NPRs use the same mechanics to get around as players; jumpgates or ships with jump engines. Some will spam jumpgates, others don't seem to, others are somewhere in between.

What is different, since we're on the subject of AI ship movement, is that the AI doesn't need fuel, be it NPRs or your own civilian shippng lines. Evidently this saves alot of calculations and such.