i generally take them as well. i will dump the cash into the exploration first since it cannot be lost if the planet falls. if i can hold the planet for a couple of minutes then i will up everything else and build a standard set of structures.

You can skip over Dead Asteroids, since they only cost resources...

I tried skipping planets once, but they ALWAYS find the weakest point and set up camp (once I had 50 planets, upgraded everything and they STILL found the one unfortified planet deep in my territory...

Oh, If you play the Starwars Mod, and you are the ONLY Empire fleet, you can take over the entire galaxy from just your home planet (just station a couple star-destroyers by each homeworld and "Execute Order 66", and invade all the enemy homeworlds simultaneously

I learned that they ALWAYS (when they have them), send siege frigates to a neighboring planet as an immediate counterstrike when you invade their homeworld...

Do you guys know how to take over mining astroids. I cannot blow up the enemy mining facilities. Is there a way to take them over?

o the scout...got it

Alright, I found out that if you temp. occupy the planet and build some broadcast centers you can scuttle the planet and the centers still work. This seems to be the best option on a large map with your fleet spread thin. You don't have the overhead cost of the planet or have to worry about losing it after you've upgraded it.

I agree with you on the Marza for an Akkn, sounds like a good swap. As for the LRM's, HC's, repair ships etc. I didn't have any. Granted this was against AI (sorry for no mentioning) every fleet of theirs I came up against was decimated by this combo. Not only that but I couldn't get them to stay and fight (why AI). I could add some repair ships and HC's. I found HC's can do much more damage then LRM's and hold their even when outnumbered 2:1. Maybe some CC's?