Hi there

Im a relativelty new player to the multiplayer scene and i wonder if you guys can help me with a few tips or suggestions towards mid/late game. The below applies only to 5s, with the exception of the ECO spot which i think im pretty comfortable with now.

I have noticed recently that im falling behind further and further or becoming less efficient during mid/late game. Im pretty strong early game and normally am 1-2 in Fleet early game and sometimes even mid game, and can hold my own versus even higher skilled players, sometimes even do better, unless i make a major mistake or over extend ocasionally. 

The problem is later in the game where i tend to fall from top fleet positions to somewhere in the middle or even 7/8th position and im not sure why. Even with the addition of an earlier titan that doesnt seem to change much. Game last night for example which was lets say average skill, i managed to kill the guy above me, took his HW and 3-5 nearby planets but when another player came i was so much behind him, there was little i can do. In the end i was at least partly responsible for us losing the game.

Do i stop fleeting at one point and build up my eco for late game? Is there a specific research i should always have or specific strcutures built. Or is it just a matter of microing an additional mini fleet taking planets in the middle while my main fleet is occupied elsewhere.

I know all the early game basics as starting builds, neutral capping and blackmarket, but need to really improve my late game.

I realise that most answers to these questions come from experience/game situation, but if anyone can give me pointers that would be most helpful. I have a few recent replays if there is a kind person who wants to help me with that. My Steam name is the same as my forum name.

Thanks

JinglyGoo