Hello all,

I am new to 4x games but not RTS games. I played a few of 7 planet games and after hours, finnaly won and ready to move to a larger system with multiple races. I started a game with 19 planets and 3 races. no locks. I am not sure how aggressive to be at the start of the game. I thought of a few strategies, but not sure if they will work. Below is the approach i classicaly take with RTS's but not sure if it will work. What i like is its easy to manage and doesnt spread you thin. Please read below

STRATEGY:

Build a small fleet and capture 1 or 2 additional planets. Start building up defenses, doing upgrades, and establishing good economic infrastructure on the 3 planets. During this time try and fend off attacks from pirates, opposing teams and what not. Sand bag for a while until i start reaching caps and need to expand. Start out and find other planets to attack and expand to. At some point start splitting feets and locating them in strategic positons to be able to defend any planet withing 1 or 2 jumps. Repeat until total annihilation. I guess the question is how thin is too thin to spread yourself. It seems like i keep getting my butt kicked.

QUESTIONS:

1) Any advice on the above strategy?

2) Is this a good upgrade budget:
Start of the game: 50% military, 25% ecomomy, 25% planet ?
As the game progresses start shifting budget to economics and influence and all that.
Thanks in advance