It is always good to see that someone else is up at the sametime as I.
About what you have said.
Earily Intel is something that has long Lasting benifits. However, you imediate benfits come from researching it. Heres what I do, I always dedicate any small moon or planet, 5 or less construction slot "after" terraforming, to Intel.
I place an atomosphere converter on these planets, and once they are breathable, I scrap the AC and build Intel structures. Later in the game, once the AI finally gets off its ***, I am prepared for them. Or, I can use my Intel on them and keep them off balance while I mount defenses. This is how I like to play, and it seems to work well for me.
As for bases, use fighters. I once lost 200 ships to a planet with 3 bases. After that I relized that fighters are a players best friend. If you know your going to attack a planet with a large base, send in as many fighters as you can. They are cheap and effective. A deadly combination.
A second way to take care of a planet, or an entire system is to build cloaked Star Killers. You send in your CSK and park it next to the systems sun. Decloak and KaBOOOOM! A new system ala cart. You then send in a planet maker and rebuild the planets. You colonize them and you have a brand new system all to yourself.
I agree 100% about the Quantum Reactors. What I have done is to make them so damed expensive that to use them is cost prohibative. I also increased their size and research time. I have also been a big big big advocate of having a pre-game set up feature to disable the QR.
I like Cloaking. I think it adds a lot of flavor to the game, but your right, cloaking is not very well support when compared to sensors. I for one would like to see more options for cloaking including a cloaking system that is strictly Racial Treat activated and can not be beaten. I think that would be nice.
Combo Techs is a good idea. I think it has already been modded by someone though. That one I would have to look into.
I agree, the higher the Racial Point Level the better the game play.
I have often wondered about the size of Shpereworlds, but it is my understanding that nothing can be larger than the sector it is in because of some programing issues.
I agree, Stellar Manipulation is indeed a weapon of mass destruction as I describe above. I understand that many players that use the PBW system, an AWSOME SYSTEM, agree to not develop SM to the point that it can be used to eliminate entire star systems. A treaty of mutual destruction I guess.
I met BOB once, just before I glassed his homeworld and sent him to the great beyond.
