Pmutzu has some good advice.

But what do you think that you are doing that is making you lose? Is money coming too slow? Fleet not big enough? Expanding too many planets without fortifying them? Pirates kicking your butt?

What are your games set up like? Small map? One or two AIs? Easy, Normal, or Hard AIs? I suggest a small map against one or two Easy AIs to start with. If you go with two AIs, then include Pirates. If you include the Pirates make sure you bid 250 on each of your opponents as the timer reaches zero. Then they'll go after each other with a bidding war. If you play one opponent, don't use Pirates. Setting up a basic game like this will teach you some basics.

Playing defensive sometimes asks for trouble. Playing more aggressive (but know when to retreat) keeps the AI guessing.

Let us know what's holding you back and we can tailor some suggestions for you.

Do 2 Repairs, repair twice as quickly if their field overlaps?

end game with tec, i usually have 3 fleets, 5 lv. 6 caps in each fleet, and 15 light frigs, 10 lrms, 5 flak, 3 of each carrier, etc. one fleet i have just a lv. 8 colony cap, which is more than enough to handle most assaults.

one fleet defends my galaxy, the other defends my allies galaxy, the thrid offensivly attacks.

with over 200,000 creds by end game, i can easly support all my fleets and upkeep.

tips:

1) 2 trade ports on every planet / asteroid
2) the asteroids/planets closest to the star, or the way for the enemy to attck you, should be defensively fortified. 2 repair bays, planetary shields, turrets, 2 hanger defense.
3) refineries on ice and desert planets
4) control the black market, you decide when it crashes or booms, always have atleast 500 metal and 200 crystal on the black market
5) pirates are your friend. using tec's credit strength, don't feel afraid to place over 60,000 in bounties. it keeps the enemy busy, and lets your fleet come in when their down.
6) dunov and akaan caps are a must. the dunov restores shields, and the akaan prevents enemy ships from escaping.
7) research. don't feel afraid to spend a lot of creds in research. in the long run, it pays off.
8) planet infastructure should be upgraded asap. the more people you have, the more tax you can get

hope those tips help.

Make sure your upgrading your planets dude.

Fully upgrade their population supports so you get the most taxes out of the planet, upgrade your tactical slots so you can support some mean defenses, upgrade the planet health, and when cash remains, explore your planet for artifacts and bonuses.

Something else I personally do when I'm up against AI, is a make a buffer zone between my weaker, less defended planets, and the enemy\nuetral planets. This way if you are under attack, the AI will try to destroy your defenses first, then conquer that planet, and you'll have time to either build more ships for defense, or call your fleet back.

One other thing I'd suggest, if you have a terran or desert planet beyond your buffer zone, upgrade this planet's logistics to maximum, and build an butt load of frigate factories. I usually build 6-8 of these, so in case I need it, I can mass produce defenses and additional ships extremely fast.

And other than the defenses, I would really suggest you try capturing asteroid field\plasma storm\space junk extractors. Its free resources, that you don't pay for (obviously), that will help in your struggle for galatic domination! Because the AI hasn't found out you can capture these extractors yet

This game is all about multitasking too, you gotta be fighting a fight, and guarding a planet all at the same time. If you have enemies who have teamed against you, you really have to be alert, maybe even building some extra ships to help defend your space. Massing with ships is also helpful Get 20+ carrier cruisers, build an intelligent balance of fighters\bombers, and your in business. Those bombers are godly against cruisers and capital ships. I've seen a fleet of 60+ bombers take out a capital ship in a matter of seconds.

You say it's the stupidest thing you've ever heard, but why? What would you do different? And don't say "everything"...

I'm a new player (just got the game yesterday) and I've found it difficult planning ahead for things. I've got a lot to learn, so any advice such as what's already been posted is extremely helpful.

Look at this post

WWW Link

...Wow... I am afraid... ( 

You need a Protev Colony Frigate (TEC), Missionary Vessel (Advent), or Jikara Navigator (Vasari)

I would think something (that others have touched on) is that you need to be able to multitask in this game.

For example, when you get into a fight, don't micromanage the fight, try not to watch the fight (even though they are fun to watch)... instead go improve a planet or scout out a planet you've not been to, or build some more ships.

The AI in this game fights well - both for you and the baddies.

Don't click several things to research or build and then sit around and wait for them to complete... again, instead go improve a planet or scout out a planet you've not been to, or build some more ships.

I've found that it's really a bad idea just to find yourself sitting around waiting for something to happen. I can guarantee that if you do this a lot, eventually something will most defintely happen, and most likely it's going to be something you don't want to happen.

I understand when you're new to the game and don't have a clue as to what needs to be done... this happens to everyone when they start. The learning process sometimes presents a steep learning curve for some.

There are many posts here that cover several methods of getting started. Find one or two (or more) that you like, print them out and use those as cheat sheets. Make notes on them as to what buttons/keys and etc. you need to click or press to do the task at hand.

Soon, you will find your own best beginning strategy and ways to multitask in the game. Your own version of getting started will eventually become a habit, and you won't need your cheat sheets anymore.

This game seems to develop slow enough that you don't have to hurry hurry hurry... but you DO need to keep busy... at least until you've got enough of an empire that is fairly well along the path to your personal happiness.

One final thing I've found that works for me. If you find yourself sitting there with "nothing to do" or need to decide "which thing you want to do" -- pause the game (i.e. press the "Menu" button at the top of the screen) and take a moment or two to think about it. Then after you've decided your course of action, go back to the game and go for it.

Best of Luck and Best Regards to all...

WC