[Trachmyr]

As far as Tech goes, I would suggest spend your initial "bounus" (which you should set to high) points on chemistry and military science (as well as level 1 in planetary weapons), immediatly research armor and point-defense weapons. Try to get lvl. 3 in point-defese, planetary weapons, armor and level 2 in missiles... also level 2 or 3 in ship construction. The first empire you meet, I would suggest going to war with as soon as you have signifigant forces in their system(s) (especially if they live on a diff. type of planet or breathe a diffrent atmosphere)... BLast all of their small planets to ashes with missiles/planetary napalm (use point-defense guns to shoot incoming missiles and satelittes). Attack their homeworld in tactical but DON'T engage unless your sure you'll win! (just hit next turn over and over). You're now blockading them, demand their surrender (if they don't surrender you might have to hunt down some of their ships or take out sats in orbit of their homeworld).... Once they surrender you;ll have a huge pop. to play with (hopfully one that breathes a diff. atmosphere), and a bunch of tech. (maybe colonization tech!).

Try to do this in the first 50-100 turns.