Jumping in at the deep end

[Fyron]

douglas said:
Neither one is worth concentrating on before getting maximum CS/ECM/scattering armor/stealth armor/training.

I'd say these things are worth getting before PPBs even. Having DUC V and more advanced CS/ECM is generally better than PPBs and less advanced CS/ECM. PPBs are very expensive weapons...

Jtownsend said:
With upgrading, do I want to get research III and upgrade I -> III or is that possible?

Facility upgrades will always be to the most advanced type available.

Jtownsend said:
It can be tricky, without the feel of experience, to know precisely what economic/shipaccessory/scientific/weapon tech to focus on over time.

This is when the game is still fun. When you know the tech tree inside and out, it becomes boring and repetitive. This is where mods come in.