[Skulky]

First off, if you're boasting about how you tricked the AI into giving up that is really pathetic. Sure they arn't great but exploiting them isn't anything to brag about. Its your game though so enjoy that if you like it.

Back on topic. I really love organics, second is religious, both of these have really great bonus' of which the organics are very immeaditate and long term to an extent while the religious can kick fat *** later on as well as some sweet facilites early on. I put a premium on finding out what other players usually do with their .emp and tailor mine carefully.

Once your out in the game though it is really important to expand like crazy. however, dont' get so caught up in your drive to expand that you take on a fish bigger than you can concieveably land. ONLY fight wars that have a straight forward goal that can be accomplished in under one year or less. Anything longer (as i learned in MSG2 whiel going from 1 to 4) just wastes money and stifles your own growth.

Finally, and this is a hard question. What do you do with 200 top of the line ships and a ton of loyal allies? If everyone wants peace how do you go about using your ships?

If you ever fall behind in technology (which you should be working hard to stay abreast of) make a partnership with someone you have something in common with and get them to give you their tech, or research boarding parties and jump ahead that way, o and a 16% increase in your research pts can't hurt, neither can something similar in other areas. Research higher level facilites ifyou ever get stuck and can't expand, just increase your facilites. Hope i haven't bored anyone excessivly.

OT- this board has become much more active in the past few months no? at least since feb-mar times