[Skulky]

Also read the The Dubious Strategy Guide of Space Empires IV it is great for specific info and general strategy, there is also a site out there that this guy started recently with short treaties on subjects taht is less daunting hte aforementioned guide. I can't think of it but im sure other ppl remember the name.

As for my $.02 go after planets as fast as you can. Your own atmosphere first and foremost as they are infinitly better but planets that don't have your atmosphere are still useful. And the other thing, this can't be stressed enough, is to build massive amounts of spaceyards (shipyard on a space station). I have 55 in one game that is on turn 35 (10 planet start) and 29 in another (3 planet start, turn 58).

They will allow you to respond very quickly and eLasticly to any enemy attack and you will be able to repair super fast at those planets where you have these in orbit (like a planet that has 10 in orbit would repair at like 35 components per turn on level 1 spaceyard tech).

Overall just play a ton of games against humans, computers get too easy and predictable too fast, and you will get great.