[DirectorTsaarx]

Well, I'm glad my statement started a serious debate here...

Anyway, the Temporal Version of the Null-Space Weapon requires nearly the same amount of research (since you have to research 2 levels of Temporal Studies, plus the Temporal Weapons, to get the Temporal Version; Null-Space requires 2 levels of Astrophysics, plus Null-Space Weapons). And for that, the Temporal Version has lower damage and less range than the Null-Space Cannon.

I agree about the happiness facility (double the effect of the standard one); and the Temporal Space Yard is a good late-game boost. But you have to research 1 level of Temporal Studies and then 4 levels of Temporal Technology to get the first TSY. And, as Wardad mentioned, you have to scrap your original space yard to build the Temporal one on an established planet. I don't usually bother with the combat bonus facility, since battles rarely occur in my home territory (I don't have time to keep up with PBEM/PBW games, unfortunately).

I remember in the early days everyone liked Organic for the "best" fighter weapon (Small Lightning Ray), the "best" seeker (Parasite, as Wardad mentions) and the Organic Armor. I wouldn't discount the replicant facilities either; the only AI that can keep up with a micromanaging human for population growth is an Organic AI that builds the replicant facilities.

And there's been recent debate about how effective the Allegiance Subverter is, especially on satellites at warp points. I had one game where I managed to capture a Cue Cappa ship by Intel, and used that ship to subvert another ship, used those 2 to subvert a couple more, and so on, and so on... too bad a new patch came out and I decided to start a new game before I could get my captured fleet back home.

Finally, while it takes forever to get the Talisman, it's hard to argue with the effectiveness of something that grants 100% to-hit chances for beam weapons at all ranges, no matter how much ECM or defensive bonus or experience an enemy has.

EDIT: I just looked at the poll results, and it looks like Religious is in the lead; Psychic, Temporal and Organic are tied for second, and Crystalline is a distant Last.

[ June 27, 2002, 20:28: Message edited by: DirectorTsaarx ]