I was just wondering if anyone wouldn't mind sharing any opinions on how to best start out a game (say the first 10-20 years or so). I recently got the game in the mail, and I've been playing it nearly non-stop, but I can't find a good way to start a game.
My biggest problem in any game (Strategy, 4X, etc...) is that I prefer to build up in terms of economy/research before I focus on military. While this isn't detrimental against the AI it still leaves me a bit behind the times when war eventually breaks out. However, the real reason I'm asking is because eventually I want to move on to playing Online, but unless I get lucky leaving out the military until a good chunk of the game has passed by will probably get me killed.
I checked the Newbie/FAQ threads in the classic forum, but I didn't see to much in terms of anything aside from ship combat tactics. I mainly want to know what to focus on military wise (in terms of the use of mines and satellites for defense), and what to focus on when I build up my economy (a specific resource, making sure I've got a large ship production capability, etc...) and research.
Anyways, I'm sure it will come to me with experience (or I might find references elsewhere in the forums) if the stuff I'm asking for common knowledge or the basics I just haven't gotten too yet, otherewise I wouldn't mind any help on the stuff I'm not likely to learn until I get my butt handed to me several times in multiplayer games
.
Opening tactics...
Threaded Mode