You guys have made some good points on the current problem, which could be alleviated by fixing any one of the following areas.
1. Blockading a planet when an empire only has that planet shouldn't have any affect on its production.
2. AI should fight better in tactical combat, or build missile ships earlier, or both. Basically, you shouldn't be able to take out a frigate and escort with just an escort with one missile weapon.
3. Have a local reservoir of resources to draw off on during the blockade based on production at the planet - when the bloackade is removed, the total should be added to the global total.
(whoops, more later, back to work)
