[Phoenix-D]

"1) The patch readme mentioned something about damage types. Is this the same thing as damage engines, shields, weapons, etc? Or is there some entirely new system?"

No need to concern yourself with this unless you're a modder/playing a mod. The patch added new damage types. (half, quarter, double damage to shields)

:2) I've been seeing a few threads about emissive armor, but most of them had too many numbers and tables for my liking (I'm not a math person). In a nutshell does Gold make emissive armor useful? Are they the all-purpose armor, or does regular armor III still have a use?"

Regular armor has a use; it's cheaper. Emissive is much more expensive both to research and use.

"3) One thread mentioned how Meson bLasters and Torpedoes were viable candidates for the early game. Back when I used to lurk around these forums regularly, these weapons were hardly ever mentioned. Has something been changed about these weapons to make them more useful? I've always preferred DUCs in the early game... What reasons would I have to switch to Meson BLasters? (Torpedoes get a +hit. Fact or rumor?)"

Torps do NOT get a + to hit in the standard game. These weapons are attractive early-game (esp. mesons) because they are really cheap compared to the APB, and pack a decent punch. DUCs are even cheaper but are rather ineffective.

"4) What good are drones? I'm probably not looking in the right threads, but drones don't seem to be mentioned very often. Uses I've read about: mix in with fighters/missles, use as early attack ships. What's their tonnage?"

Drones are pretty big; around 100kt. They're stored and launched like fighters, but built like ships. Very expensive in the standard game, and they're one-shot attack only weapons; once they're launched they cannot be recovered and can only be given attack (not move) orders.

"5) Has crystal tech been given a boost of any sorts to bring it up to par with the other racial techs?"

No boost. However, two words: crystalline armor.

"6) Two fairly long threads talked about the horrors of playing against players using the Talisman. Hopefully, PBW hasn't suddenly become filled with Talisman Users... Roughly, what percentage of PBW players use the Talisman?"

Dunno.

"7) Is the Allegiance Subverter & Computer Virus combo still as nasty as it was pre-Gold?"

Same as before. Only with drones you now have another option to counter with.

"8) Do seekers and fighters have a place in a fleet, or are they generally still considered PD fodder?"

PD fodder except in larger numbers and/or paired with drones. Since drones use standard ship components and are fired on by PD, they make really good PD sponges.

"9) Gold supposedly adds new stellar phenomena (or is it -non?). Do these significantly alter gameplay in any way?"

No. Not in the unmodded game.

"10) WPs get better range? Are they useful now as planetary defense?"

Very much so. Even in 1.49 they are IMO.

"11) For a non-organic race, is there any reason to not decrease farming when making a race?"

Not really.

Phoenix-D