By , don't expand too far, what do you mean? How far is too far? how many planets I guess I should say

If your battles are going too slow, hit the "+" key to speed up the time. I think you need the second patch for this though.

I would also try starting with a CAP ship that has a colonize ability. That makes things easier in the beginning. I'd also play maps without pirates for a while until you get a better idea of how to play the game. To novice players, this game can seem to have a very steep learning curve at first.

I've playing for two weeks or so and i don't play any games on easy anymore, however, all attempts at playing a Hard AI opponent ended in total failure. So, I'm still learning too. Check out the posts here, experienced players give great tips all the time. Enjoy!

read the manual thoroughly, you'll get a pretty good idea on how to start, the ships and their capabilities, as well as your enemies' weaknesses.

Its worth noting that faster game speeds can be accomplished using smaller maps, set to fast speed, with high resources and fast research. Its not going to magically turn your matches into 10 minute clickfests, but it will greatly accelerate the pacing.

Well I have been playing the game almost nonstop for 24 hours (not something I can normally do but hey been play GalCiv and GalCiv II for so long I had to give this one a complete run through) and I would suggest still using Gauss Guns. A good mix I have found is two or three hanger, best is three, and the rest of the tac slots being filled with Gauss Guns. I did this playing advent and when the Pirate AI decided to get tactical and go the extra two phase jumps to assault me there I pretty much decimated them. Of course with also 15 gauss guns forming walls around where they entered it was hard for them to get around the sheer destruction pouring out from the weapons.

Also on the question of good fighter/bomber mix. I would suggest for ever two fighters one bomber in the beginning. You are not facing alot of cruisers initially so bombers aren't as effective. Once you do begin fighting alot of cruisers I tend to see them bringing fighters/bombers as well. Fighters kill bombers so to protect your assets I would suggest having the weapons to take them out.

But this is off limited experience and someone else might have better ideas and/or tactics that they know works.

V

yes they will....and their placement can make or break a defense sometimes

what would be the ideal placement for gaussies and hangars defending a homeworld ??

Oh, and I rarely defend my homeworld. I find choke points and defend them. My homeworld only get a couple of defenses and I upgrade it later in game when I have the extra money. Your homeworld should be tucked away nice and safe while your outer planets get to take the brunt of any attack.

any suggestions?

amen