[rdouglass]

IMO and for my style of play phased shields are a waste of research points. The only weapon it gives you an advantage over is Phased Polaron Beams. I've only encountered 1 AI that ever used them and the range of the PPB's is too short to be very effective over weapons like WMG's and Enveloping Acid Globules (my personal favorite!!!). In tactical mode, they never get close enough to fire a shot and in Strategic mode, set the fleet / ship strategy to Max Range or Dont Get Hurt.

Now if I would play a mod that adjusted those values (range, etc.) I would probably rethink this (PPB thing), but I haven't seen one yet.

I'm sure this strat would probably break down BAD if I was up against another human, but I've not had the pleasure yet. PBEM games just would take too much time and require too much REGULAR play time for me.