What to research first when playing the AI?
 

I bought this game recently and I like it's depth and style. I'm still sorting out all of the details. What are the first few technologies I should research when playing against the AI?

Re: What to research first when playing the AI?
 

There is no real cut and dried answer to that, it depends on your play-style, and to a degree your game settings.

Personally I usually start with 3 planets and rush for mines, computers II, research II (unless I have a good research planet nearby to colonize), then I make a run for temporal spaceyards. Of course all that depends on what AIs start near me and how agressive they are.

Re: What to research first when playing the AI?
 

Get to light cruiser quickly.

Research all colony techs as soon as you can (The AI usually waits to research those, so it gives you opportunity).

Try to get Phased - Polaron Beams quickly. They're the best direct fire weapon in the game on a tonnage-to-damage ratio.

Don't forget to pick up point defense along the way. Fighters are also the most efficient way to wipe out undefended systems.

Re: What to research first when playing the AI?
 

No, that would be high level Anti-Proton Beams. They cost a great deal more to research that far, though, and they don't skip non-phased shields. APB XII is the best late-game weapon in stock, but there is a long period where no one has phased shields and the research cost is prohibitively high. During that period PPB is the best weapon, and level 2 is quite cheap to research and plenty powerful enough, but you will eventually want to upgrade.

Re: What to research first when playing the AI?
 

I tend to go after Propulsion 4 (Contra-Terrene Engines) and Ship Construction 4 (Light Cruiser), plus racial techs & weapons if I have them.

In the early SP game, you can go far with Missile Weapons (Capital Ship Missiles); the AIs will eventually start using Point-Defense Cannons, but until they do, you can dominate them. Even Projectile Weapons (Depleted Uranium Cannons) can be a good investment.