Strategy for multi star maps?

Make allies.

I agree, also you must understand the entrace to any star system is the star. Hold the star and you hold the game. Any planets which connect directly to such a star must have defenses prepared. I like to use 3-4 turrets, and 2 hangers. I also keep a response fleet in each star system. Typically its nothing big however enough when coupled with plantery defenses are able to heavily damage most fleets.

Make allies too. They help

Making allies is a pain in the ass when it's freaking so random. To make it worst the guys I have trade agreement can attack me without declaring war. That make no freaking sense. I think there should be a general cease fire with all the factions at the start the game by default. As it stand big maps are too annoying to play ATM.

I'm playing a 5 star map vs 9 AI opponents right now (diplomacy is off). It looks like it's going to be pretty tough going as the game progresses, but we'll see how it works out. So far, I've wiped out 3 factions and have 2 more to deal within my star system. 4 stars to go...

I've found that playing with diplo off is A LOT easier than playing with it on. With it off only your neighbors attack you, some of them don't even attack at all. Either that or I got lucky on a random and got all peacefull AIs.

Phase inhibitors. and work on smart acquisitions. Forgo taking a planet that will open up your choke point until you have a sufficient force. No it's not easy, yes it is a pain in the ass, but great defenses would start to cause stalemates, which are already a big enough problem with Advent Repels.

I usually start by rushing another AI in my system and then slowing pushing the third one out. Once I secure one star system I create one fleet for pillaging other systems and one to hold my star choke point. It isn't as important that you take everyone enemy planet in every system but that you systematically destroy their infrastructure. After you have destroyed many key planets you can come back and colonize.

My advice is to place some Sovas and light carriers at the Star itself after you have started pushing the AI's in your system out. That allows your strike craft to hit anything coming through and gives you a heads up on what is coming your way from other stars. If you have enough strike craft, you can overwhelm FF a scout before your opponent can jump out of the star gravity well. I find this works really well in multiplayer or singleplayer games because the opponent won't want to deal with that many capital ships or an unknown faction base that might or might not wipe the floor with his/her main battle fleet after they fight their way out of the star ambush.

Remember: Strike craft are the fastest ships in the game, so use them wisely.

remember you need 50% friendliness to make a ceasefire with an AI, so that's about 2 missions. Not too hard if your're raiding frequently.

Are they all allied against you, or FFA? Just curious...

It took me forever to learn about making Allies, but if u play any of the bigger games you are really going to have to deal with them, They will even help protect your systems with their ships while you go off and take out your next person.

It's amazing to see them mass their fleets to help you attack a planet. Then you just clean upthe mess and take the planet, but watch out, once you destroy your last enemy and then its just two of left, well, watch out as things fall apart quickly and its a free for all again.

Sorry for the late reply JamesP81. It was FFA. I just finished. Total playing time was 18 1/2 hours. Great fun. After I got the Victory screen, I continued on and took on the pirate base. Just let everything go and zoomed in to watch the action up close. Very, very cool.