[Pax]

Originally posted by Baron Grazic:
Just remember this is the way Pax plays, and it doesn't mean it is the correct way.

Absolutely true, and it's not even the ONLY way I play -- it's what I start from, as far as what I expect to do.

For example ... if I find I'm in a system with mad numbers of right-atmosphere worlds to colonise, I build colony ships MUCH sooner (don't need a lot of range to colonise in-system, after all). "More than two" usually triggers that change.

But it's a good thing to try and start with; it seems lots of people do agree on the orbital spaceyard to increase overall ability to build ships (if nothing else, to slowly build up a small stable of light warships in case of early conflict), and seeing others' general starting strategies is often useful in discovering your own.