[WhiteHojo]

Just a little something extra I have found to be useful. Use the same general ideas from Evan, build a couple of scouts and then go w/colony ships. But the twist I add is, I start as a Gas Giant race. This gives you access to the bigger planets (usually 1 to 3 per system) so even those planets w/o your atmosphere will give 5 facility slots for Huge. Also, most AI races I encounter tend to be rock or ice types. 1st thing you do upon encountering them is to 1) ask for a trade treaty & 2) if the treaty is accepted on the next turn ask for a gift of their rock/ice colonization tech. I have never been turned down once the trade treaty has been given. I have however, had em cancel the treaty 1 turn after giving it - very weird. Do this and you soon open up all planet types to colonization MUCH earlier than you would if you tried to research the 2 other colony techs. Gives you a solid lead early in the game.