A Home planet is the first planet given to an empire.
Home planets are usually terran. The home planet comes standard with one Frigate Factory, two Construction Ships and most of the planetary improvements upgrades already researched: three civilian infrastructure, two emergency facilities, two exploratory upgrades, and one logistic upgrade. With the Quick Start feature the Home Planet also contains a Capital Ship Factory. Designating a planet as the Home Planet of an empire has the effect of giving it an increased population, hence a higher credit income from taxation. Some older maps had pre-built ships and defensive structures. Pirate Bases cannot be designated as home planets.