[Raapys]

You're right, Vanilla is just the bug fixes collection. Strawberry is the bug fixes and a set of cosmetic improvements( i.e. Gofur's UI, updated space combat effects, all text is updated and improved, etc. ). Tropical is the bug fixes, cosmetic improvements, and then a bunch of other changes, like a few new technologies, reorganized technology tree, AI autoconquer, etc.

So while Tropical contains some changes I don't like( i.e. the tech tree ), Strawberry is just a better-looking version of Vanilla, thus that's what I like to use.

I find myself using a customized Meklar most of the time. It's crazy how much you can boost research and manufacturing with race picks as them.