Yeah man i was getting whipped at first when i played on challanging so i know how it feels

The thing that turned the tide for me was definitely getting military out quickly... even if it was just a couple of defenders per planet...

The way the AI caculates military strength (1.0x and 1.1) you can easily be top of the military graph in the early game just by turning out a speed 1 attack 1 def 0 cheap tiny ship every couple of turns... i used to lose because i liked to wait until i got laser 5 at least + impulse 3 ect to bother pumping out ships but nah plus those 1-0 ships are surprisingly useful when you start developing better ships, i use them against minor races or throw them away against a neighbour im almost set to invade (im fairly warlike ...

Remember also you have 5000 credits to start with use them well

Just with your starting build too im not sure specialising your homeworld as econ is wise, personally i usually build my manufacturing capital on my homeworld, 1 eco, 1 morale and MAYBE a lab...

The AI tends to be a lot more aggressive on smaller maps, you might find the going easier on Gigantic maps.

Sure it makes sense to have an Econ planet but how are you going to pump colony ships out quickly if your first planet is a eco planet? the 5k you start with should be enough to get yourself through the initial colony rush without worrying too much, which is why usually my second/third planet is my primary eco planet...

Maybe your right, i was just offering a suggestion anyways good thing about strategy games is that often there are more than one strategy...

I will say this though, you do need a good industrial planet asap. i like one that can pump out small ships every second turn or so... the AI is ruthless if you get behind militarily but VERY managable if you stay in the tough half.

yeah i agree with with Iztok there, i usually make maybe one or two Labs for my starter planets (cuz i usually spend more on research then military...that way, i still produce ships, and stay ahead of the Tech Game....

Sure it makes sense to have an Econ planet but how are you going to pump colony ships out quickly if your first planet is a eco planet? the 5k you start with should be enough to get yourself through the initial colony rush without worrying too much, which is why usually my second/third planet is my primary eco planet... Maybe your right, i was just offering a suggestion anyways good thing about strategy games is that often there are more than one strategy... I will say this though, you do need a good industrial planet asap. i like one that can pump out small ships every second turn or so... the AI is ruthless if you get behind militarily but VERY managable if you stay in the tough half.

Hmm, I think I might try this. Maybe only have 1 or 2 econ's then fill the rest of the spaces with factories since my 2nd planet is strictly for Labs.

You don't need that many labs or that many factories. A fleet of 3 small hulled vessels with one engine and one laser can blockade any planet on challenging for the first few years. I've had many games where I've won without ever upgrading my initial fleet. Military starbases are your friends. The social and trade techs are underpowered and don't give you a signifigant advantage compared to roaming the galaxy and stomping on everything with your small vessels. Logistics and planetary invasion trees are probably the two most important trees to go up.

Logistics and planetary invasion trees are probably the two most important trees to go up.

Only if you can get by their orbit defense.

Which would mean researching the galactic warfare tree tech a bit.