[Puke]

i dont know, man. in a low cost research game, you get those techs awful fast. especially if you focus on research as a race. 100 turns in, and you will be LOOKING for **** to research. you will be thinking, phased shields? sure, dont see anything better. engine killers? beats the heck out of rad extraction 4.

i think all those other techs will come into play, and the guys that specialize will wipe out the generalists sitting there with the tried and true PPBs. dont get me wrong. they are definitly a necessity early-mid-game. however, if you think you can avoid a fight until you get better stuff, and everyone has phased shield anyhow, by all means, bypass them.

besides, even if phased shields give less protection, they give a hell of alot better than ZERO if everyone is using phased weapons. and before you tell me that they dont give as good as armor, keep in mind the repair cost of armor vs the regenerative ability of shields as long as the generator is alive. phased shields I start looking real nice.

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"...the green, sticky spawn of the stars"
(with apologies to H.P.L.)