[LintMan]

My thoughts on expansion vs. consolidation...

(I like playing on BIG maps, so this might be not be so good on smaller maps...)

If I haven't encountered an enemy yet (this can take a while in a 1-planet, 255 system start map), I expand peacefully but aggressively, using most of my resources to grow and develop my empire (ie: build more colony ships, fill planets with facils). I build almost no military ships until I encounter another race (it's a calculated risk). (I might build/distribute some mines, though)

To offset my lack of military might, I emphasize research greatly, and a lot of that research goes to getting the better weapons/shields/etc, so that if I am confronted by an enemy, I'll likely have the tech lead even if I don't have a fleet built yet.

I also emphasize production capacity. In almost every system, at least one planet (if mot more) will get a shipyard, and most shipyard planets will get a base with a space yard in it around them, too. These bases are bare-minimum, to keep the maintenance costs down, and as I expand outward, I'll mothball the interior system ones that aren't getting used.

So basically, my strat is to have a tech and economy lead, along with a solid production capability, so that if an enemy surprises me at a border with a large fleet, I can quickly respond with a sufficient defense force to slow/stop the advance and buy time for me to build up a full fleet. I might lose a few border worlds, but my core empire will be safe.

Once I encounter another race, I begin to consolidate more (at least on that border), upping my production capacity in that area, building more mines, etc. I'll also try to research another colonization tech at this point if it won't take too long. That lets me keep up my colony growth without expanding my borders further while trying to consolidate.

Once I think I have a reasonably secure border, I'll begin expanding again, pushing into my neighbor's territory if I think I can take him, or in other directions if not.