[rdouglass]

1. The Talisman IMO is worth the 1500 points for racial tech alone! To NEVER miss!!! You also get many features in facilities: Nature Shrine - increase planet values and conditions, Fate Shrines - decrease bad events, increase happines, etc.

2. Baseships can be devistating with the right combinations of weapons, support ships, fighters, etc. I build my fleets around 2-3 of 'em. Yeah, they may be slower, but they can kick some @$$.

3. I go for monoliths so I really don't worry 'bout anything but minerals except for early game.

4. Storage is ESSENTIAL if you want to build / maintain / support any sizeable fleets in emergency conditions (or for when you build those sphere / ring worlds.

5. After phased shields, I personally go for High Energy weapons (WMG's have a good range and damage with massive mounts - 700 at range 8) and Fighters.

6. I don't use troops at all.

Just my perspective and play style......