The probation period lasts for a certain number of turns, depending on a variety of factors.

When a Player is attempting the Unifier Victory and launches the Planetary Unification Protocol operation, they will go into a probation period while the planet-CORE AI determines whether or not they are fit to become ruler of the planet. The unifier victory is closely tied to an empire’s Unity Capability. The unification victory is cancelled if the player and its allies no longer control three dwellings they are at peace with, or the reputation of the player that launched the planetary unification protocols operation becomes negative. The planet-CORE AI announces to all the players on the map that a probation period has been started by a player through an Event, and will reveal all dwellings that player and their allies own to all other players on the planet. When a player launches the operation, they will become Victorious after a certain number of Turns called their Probation Period. The operation can only be launched when the player has the highest level of Reputation and the player or their Allies have annexed 3 Dwellings of NPC Factions they are at Peace with. In order to appease the planet-CORE AI to appoint a player as planetary ruler, that player needs to launch the Planetary Unification Protocol operation, which requires late-game Research to unlock and costs a large amount of Influence.

If a player can convince the planet-CORE to appoint them as Ruler of the planet, that player gains control of the planet and all of their opponents. A planet-CORE AI is linked into imperial technology on its planet, including that used by the players. The Unifier Victory is achieved when a player successfully takes control of the planet by means of its dormant planet-CORE AI, an autonomous sub-system of the shattered Star Union’s interstellar CORE (Conscientious Omnipresent Regency Engine).

Age of wonders planetfall dev diary 3