[taterbill]

"8. I have yet to see my own defense satellites and weapon platforms on planets put to good use. In the event of a stray light cruiser or two, fighters are better than defense platforms or satellites."

In general, I agree with this. The one problem with this is that the computer often builds missle cruisers that can't fire at your fighters. In theory, that is good, but that means the only target they can engage is your planet. If even one slips past your fighters, your planet can be wiped out. Your fighters are left in orbit guarding a dead planet.

To prevent this, I design a small WP that has nothing but point defense weapons and some armor or shields. You can build three in one turn on emergency build, or three in two turns by turning on e-build, selecting one turn's worth, then turning e-build back off.

The only place I tend to use satellites is to guard my end of a waypoint. I use many different satellite designs, as that ensures that they don't all get clumped together. I deploy them in a waypoint sector, and incoming ships exit the waypoint surrounded by my satellites. Especially deadly if some mines are sprinkled in as well. Have fun.