[Desdinova]

i found out the hardway about the troops the ai uses. it took two planets from me b4 i realized what it had done. now i keep a minimum of 100 troops on all planets just so i have time to get to them with additional support as needed.
i have had to change my tactics as JLS releases each upgrade to the ai. i would never survive a pbw game because of my playing style, which is to slowly expand system by system keeping fleets at warppoints to stay isolated and no trade or research agreements. with the way the game is setup i have learned i need to have those agreements since i can no longer create massive mining bases as in the original game. thus if i want to create viable fleets and be able to maintain them then trade is necessary.
i have also learned that the best items to build are the settlements and colonies facilities. they give research, intelligence and resources all for 1 facility slot. however beware of building too many at once as when you upgrade them it is all or nothing. if you have 6 settlements built then when you upgrade it is all 6 at once and that can take 2-5 years depending on you construction rate.