Troop presence on planets

[Osito]

As far as I can tell, stationing your troops on a planet you just invaded does nothing to help prevent that planet from rebelling. Nor does a troop presence help to reduce the likelihood of rebellions on your own planets.

Is this correct?

[Bingeling]

I think so. The planet can defect directly. They need to be pretty pissed to do that, though. Having a minor colony in the system with a huge one is the most likely cause. Or your empire being really nasty...

Troops helps against rebellions, that is the kind that take to the street and tries to overthrow government.

[Speeder]

In fact, this mechanic is great to steal someone troops

I was warring with someone, and took their homeworld.

A very opportunistic AI, immediately took the other planet in the system and dumped 500k strength of troops there.

So I just sent a intelligence mission to make that planet rebel... And they did, defected to my side, and the troops were now mine too =D

[Erik Rutins]

It does help if the planet rebels instead of defecting wholesale. In a rebellion, they raise their own troops against you and a battle is fought. If they win, they become independent. A garrison is the only way to stop that and it's most likely to happen right after an invasion.

[Bingeling]

I question the logic of a planet defecting shortly after invasion, while holding 500k troops, though.

Where does the loyalty of those troops lie? And they just conquered the colony in the first place.
If the garrison is locally recruited, or has been there for ages, one could argue that they would be willing to defect.

[Osito]

Thanks, that's very useful to know. Clearly I've only ever experienced "defections" rather than "rebellions", so far.