[brianeyci]

As an aside... is there any advantage at all to designing a troop in stock game other than this type,

Cockpit
3x Ground Cannon

I find that other designs are less potent/pointless. Putting ECM/Combat sensors/Armor/Shields seems to be a waste. In ground combat, does the defender or the attacker get first strike? Because to me, it always seems to be the attacker, and with 3x Ground Cannon which get an inherent bonus of around 2.5, that's a lot of population you need to have just to survive the first volley.

<edit> nm I found the answer from the FAQ, defenders shoot first and get 30% bonus </edit>

Brian