"Can only inhabit starting planet type/atmosphere" dissapointments

[MasterDave]

In the new game I started Last night, I did not choose to limit colonization at all for the AIs. I have, however, resolved that I will not learn Ice or Gas colonization (I am playing with a Federation shipset oxy/rock), nor will I use the all-too easy shortcut of capturing and analyzing enemy colony ships to learn those techs. The only way I will allow myself to acquire a non-rock colony will be to conquer one with troops, or capture an enemy colony ship and use that to colonize an ice or gas planet. I am hoping that this self-imposed limit will make for a longer and ultimately more challenging game with the AI.

Of course, in this new game where I am playing with these self-imposed restrictions and AI set to High difficulty and medium bonus, I have found myself bordering hostile Gamilons (another race from this forum from "Star Blazers") and the TDM Version of the Serghetti (who have a huge fleet of Polaron Beam toting destroyers) on the other side. I am in 11th place out of 20 races and fighting two major wars. This is more like it!

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Follow the Golden Rule:
"He who has the Gold makes the rules.."

[Nitram Draw]

MD,
I also usually play with those same self imposed restrictions and I also never capture another planet, unless I'm trying the Pirate trait. I always seem to get another colonization tech if I capture another planet. It does take something away from the game though.
I wonder if the 3 colonizing techs could be treated like a racial trait, if you didn't choose it in the beginning you can never learn it. Then you could capture enemy planets but not gain the tech.