Primitive, the "Tabby" has seen your post and yes, it will not be the end of it.
I am more ginger and black, rather than tabby anyhow
I have never played a game against humans, so dont have the depth of knowledge that the rest of you do.
In the early game, I think fighters are devastating if they catch you unawares. But the AI rarely manages that. I am sure a cunning human would be able to do it, but it seems a hell of a waste of resources to build a DF fleet and a fighter fleet to spring a trap on your foe.
Satellites are useful in the early game, and I think useful in the later games, if you have enough of them. The problem comes with their placement as often, they are on the wrong side of the planet from where your enemy is. Large satellites for remote mining are always useful!
I like weapons platforms, I always have some on my planets, with a mix of PDC and Phased Polaron Beams on large mounts. PDC stop errant missiles or fighters from nuking your planet, the PPBs with their enhanced range make incoming ships pay.
In any event, whatever the level of the game, you need to use everything for a tiered defence. A mobile fleet to hit the enemy in space, mines in orbit so the enemy has to use sweepers to get through, sats and WPs and make the bugger pay if nothing else
[ January 23, 2004, 16:11: Message edited by: Growltigger ]