Still Figuring this all out

from GalCiv2 Forums
I read all the hype and have always enjoyed games like MOO2 and a less known title called Space Empires (3), so i took the plunge and got GalCiv2. No disappoints here, I'm intrigued by the challenge this games poses, but yeah, I'm still figuring this all out and could use some pointers.

I'm using 1.1 beta3. Playing normal difficulty vs. 3 civs on a large map.

1) I'm playing as the Terrans with the default Civ advantages. I have no problem getting my research nice and jacked. I've been pushing my research allocation up to around 50%, but jeez, I struggle keeping my treasury balanced. I've noticed that trade definitely helps and building economic starbases helps leverage that. Is there a sure fire way to ensure a better balance of economy and spending on a per planet basis? I shoot for a min. 1 research, 1 factory, 1 marketplace per planet and then attempt to specialize from there. I have no problem making planets become production powerhouses, but how to better make the economic powerhouses? I need more cash! (or maybe i'm too obsessed with having a positive cash flow?)

2) I sure try to grow as fast as I can, taking the suggestions of a few other players by upgrades to colony ships and constructors with faster engines so I can grab planets and resource polygons faster. I buy these ships outright as often as I can instead of building them, but it seems i get beat out...alot!....the Altereins (not sure about that name....you know...the other humanoid civ) seem to be able to expand REALLY fast. How do I buy on credit? Is that a strat for growing faster in the beginnning? On Beginner level, I have no problem, on Normal i can barely keep up. What am i doing wrong here? I recognize how important the early game expansion phase is. Perhaps some of it is just luck?

3) I shoot for a single weapons/defense path (beams/shields) but I'm beginning to suspect that the whole shields thing is unnecessary. Most of the other civs use weapons that penetrate shileds anyway (missles, mass drivers) so why not just bulk up my ships with more weapons, more range, more speed? Am I missing something here? Perhaps certain other techs depends on shields research to be unlocked? I'm just a little mystified by finding the most efficient tech tree pathway...any thoughts here would be really appreciated.

I have more questions, but this is getting long. If anyone can point me to a nicely done strategy write up (not the beginner tutorial...useful but i'm beyond that now) that would be great.. Thanks in advance for any tips you can share.
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Reply #1 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Well, you don't go up a weapon/defence path automatically, you choose the ones that are best against your enemy. If the Drengin havre many reasons to hate you, and they use missiles and shield defence, you're best off with mass drivers and point defence. That's the entire point of having different defences, not because you like them but because they're GOOD.

Economy is very important. Get a planet +18, use enough farms to give you 100 bil pop, and +60 morale from zero-g centers. After that, stock markets all the way. I like to have 2000bc a turn coming in from 33% tax (So less morale buildings used, so more room for more stock markets/ Industrial centers/ Discovery spheres etc) and the ability to lose all my trade routes and still make at least 500bc a turn (In case I upset an alliance)

Buying on credit, when you purchase something you should get a list of options, of various contracts. Buying outright, and buying with credit which you must pay off in monthly installments. But you really need stellar cartography and a speed of about 5.
Reply #2 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
I tend to leave defenses to lag behind a bit, though not too far. Later in the game you can beef up defenses, but in the early stages having a good, hard punch with a decent backup weapon (for when your enemies develop defenses to counter your primary) is surprisingly effective.
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Reply #3 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
1) Money comes from people so to make a cash powerhouse planet build money buildings and then farms when the pop is close to the max. Then you have to build happieness buildings cause higher populations get really unhappy. Also I think most people like to start off a new collony with all the factories they plan to build there ever, then go from there. Factories let you build other buildings faster so they are a great place to start. But a cash powerhouse takes time to grow the population unless your shipping people using colony ships or transports, and thats a big hassle.

2) I don't know, computer beats me a lot too. Buying on credit is an intersting idea I hadn't considered.

3) Defense isn't useless but your instincts are right. try out defensless ships and most of the time your fine. I like to use defenes only later when I have larger hulls and can throw on a token defense system and get big bonuses from starbases. you need a base defense for it to be enhanced.
Reply #4 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Hey thanks to all for your thoughts....I'm learning.

I guess it would seem that increasing my population would be the key here. I get too hung up on production and research and tend to neglect the farms. Does anyone have advice on using the governors to automate any of this stuff? In games like Civilization, I ignore governors like the plague...anyone been able to use them effectively in GalCiv2?