Can we not rescue downed pawns anymore? Granted, I'm using the unstable 1.0, but I keep having escape pods from other factions crash at my base, and I don't want to capture another faction's pawn just to release them...
You can only rescue neutral and friendly pawns. In 1.0 pawns from escape pods can be from any faction, including friendly and hostile.
Yup. If it's red, capture. Their faction is already hostile and it won't get worse because of the capture. But it could improve relations if you then release the pawn. (If it isn't a pirate faction.)
If it's blue, you can choose to rescue and get positive goodwill when the pawn goes home. Or capture and make their faction instantly hostile. (If it isn't a generic space refugee.)
I guess the new 'rough' factions must have tricked me. Oh well.