[AngleWyrm]

Forcing the player to use limited release components wont solve the problem. The player will simply build ships with lots (or if it per ship) many small ships. The outcome will be the same: Player arrives on planet with a bajillion troops, and stomps all over the three to five defenders. Maybe troops should take up more cargo space. Or, if that's too easy, the AI should build a competetive defense force.

There's another problem with making it even more expensive for the player though: The choice of just glassing the planet from orbit vs landing troops will become a no brainer. Why waste time with marines? Just bring a colony ship instead.