What you say is true, I was trying to make it a little harder by creating a HQ earlier than I would normally. But I found at least vs 3 other computers that not having access to the goon squads leaves you wide open to all types of attacks and there is nothing you can do but sit and wait for it to happen again and again.

I feel not having any real way to defend yourself + the debt that goes with it, is a little to much. You should always have access to a way to defend yourself instead of just sitting there with ZERO options but to go farther and farther into debt if anyone uses any type of EMP of surge on you early game.

It is basically a game over after the third EMP or surge and there is no way to stop them from doing it, just some feedback on the new changes. This might all be what was intended with the new black market updates, but not having access to the goon squad all the time has some huge disadvantages.

Yes, like I said in my last post, I was just trying to change it up some and make it a little harder versus the computers by founding early and giving them a little head start. But after the last patch it has become not even fun to try that because you are EMPed or surged half the time and there is nothing you can do to prevent them from doing it over and over.

Yes i know waiting can solve this issue, but i thought the disadvantage to starting early was the debt, lower stock price, and low bond rating? I dont see why you should have no options to defend what little you have during the early game just because you started 10 seconds before another person.

You are always able to buy claims from the market no matter what your bond rating is, and I was thinking maybe goon squads should be one of the always available options also.

This is just some things I have noticed , so just giving my feedback.

Beta 4 has made the game very dynamic.   Adjust style of play to the sabotages available.  For instance, if you see no underground nukes, but see emp/nv/powersurge, then why not split up little up for the 3 stacks and spread the risk.

I try to avoid map reveal as its just too tempting to pounce into debt. I can easily buy the first 3 or 4 auctions with the same or less debt than an early found, and they are much more useful than a preferred spot on the map.