Newbie PBW Suggestions Needed

[Daeromont]

I am about to start my first PBW game. I would welcome any advice on general game strategy or also on Intra-game communication. (I've looked at several sites for info, but just wanting some direct suggestions) Is it appropriate to contatct other players, for example, outside of the game? FYI, I have chosen the Psychic option..which is also totally new to me. Any wise ol' sages willing to impart some gems of wisdom? Thanks!
Daeromont

[Matryx]

You'll find that simultaneous game communication is too slow. By the time they get your message to "remove your ships or else" you'll have already killed them
E-mail contact is usually fine assuming you can find their e-mail address.
Other than that, most games have their own Forum on the PBW server, and I notice that some also have forums here on ShrapnelGames.

As for suggestions, well I can't really give any.
My play style changes with every game and I'm still trying to find my favourite

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[geoschmo]

The question of whether it is appropriate is really up to the individual game owner and players in the game. Different games can be played under different sets of rules.

You should always try to make sure everybody in the game agrees one way or the other before starting that game, so you don't run into problems.

Geoschmo

[Mad_Lear]

Well, I know nothing about PBW, but I can tell you that psychic is a very good tech. Go for allegiance subverters ASAP (though human players will react by using master computers, you might be able to get a few free ships first), and put a psychic fleet trainer and ship trainer in every systerm. These are the real "powerhouses" of the psychic ship tree, allowing you to train ships as they move to the front line, making all of you ships vetern or better without having to collect them at a "training world" or micromanage. Whenever I play psychic, the training facilities are what I tend to focus on, anyway.

[Daeromont]

Thanks for the advice and info, guys. I have another question. I uploaded my own empire, but used another uploaded shipset made by an independent player. How will this affect my game? I noticed there were AI.txt files there as well...and wanted to be sure I'm still in control. Thanks.

[Commander G2]

A number of suggestions:
1) Research (or trade for) Mil Sci 1 and Point Defenses right away in case you meet an early agressor armed to the hilt with missles and has point defenses.
2) If I remember right from the one time I played a Psych race is they have a very powerful small weapon for fighters.
3) Do not play a neutral race.
4) Make as many treaties as you can to gain resources and research.
5) Colonize as much as you can.
6) Use satelites and weapon platforms to make you planets able to survive a small fleet attack (1 or 2 ships). Satellites are always an unknown factor because sometimes attacks come from the other side. Put one missle and one point defense on each of these.