I am going out tonight to get the game...I just went through the demo 3 times and I have a question on defensive strategy.

I would like to proceed somewhat slowly, building up my home planets logistical and tactical structures, and getting a large fleet. Then I want to move to one planet, split my fleet in half, and remake each half to be as big as it once was. Then I want to get the new planet secure by placing many tactical structures and making its economy and logistical structures good too.

But being new to the game, I don't know the best way to go about this. In the demo, I took over 4 planets, and everything was fine until my outermost planet got invaded by BOTH enemy fleets at the same time. The defenses fell quickly, and I was forced to call my entire space force out to that planet to ward off the attackers.

As a newbie, what are some good tips that you could give me that can help me gain new planets, get their economy up, defend them very well, and give them their own large fleet? Even on easy, I was having a but of trouble as I got invaded. Thanks for any help!