Connection type

Most connections on a map are wormholes, so every connection starts life as a wormhole. When two systems are joined by a stargate instead, you can mark the connection as one so the map reads the way space actually does.

Setting the type

Right-click the connection and open Connection type, then pick Wormhole or Stargate. The change is shared with everyone on the map.

If the two systems aren't actually joined by a stargate in the static universe, you'll see a small warning next to the Stargate option. It doesn't stop you: you can still mark the connection as a stargate if you have a reason to, the map just wants you to know it's unusual.

How stargates look

A stargate draws as a solid blue line with a gate badge at its midpoint, instead of the wormhole's mass and lifetime styling. Because stargates are permanent and massless, that solid line is a quick visual cue that the link won't collapse.

You can still set mass, lifetime and ship size on a stargate if you want to, but they normally don't apply.

Marking gates matters for reading a chain at a glance: a solid gate line is a safe, permanent route, while a styled wormhole line is one you have to watch.