Initial Observations

[bssybeep]

Initial observations as I start spending some time with Armada:

1.Under "Create a Custom Game", selecting "The Faithful" under special traits I noticed it lists "Psychic Research Penalty - level 2, then right below that it lists ""Psychic Research Bonus - level 2", lol, canceling each other out. I'm assuming a typo.

2.+1 to a free camera in combat mode that doesn't snap back to overhead. I always like setting my own perspective during tactical battles.

3.When starting the game from the Matrix pop-up on the desktop, once I click to start the game, I can never tell if the game is loading or my click did not register. This ended up in my having multiple instances of the game started at one time due to multiple clicks on the start game button. Maybe have a loading bar display or something so the user knows the game is actually trying to load.

4.Very nice and large selection of races to choose from when setting up a custom game. So far I'm about 10 turns into my 1st custom game. I really like the layout and appearance of the strategy map. Looks nice, but easy to follow moments and see sensor ranges.

[Iceman]

1. Nope, not a typo. The bonus cancels the Humans' intrinsic penalty. Maybe it'll be improved next patch - I just posted about just that a couple of hours ago

3. Yep, that would have been nice. A splash screen.

[bssybeep]

One question I have as the manual was not clear.  Are ground troops necessary to take over an opponents planet or will orbital bombardments to destroy all enemy structures be enough to capture the planet?

[Janster]

Ground forces needed on hostile planet, that or space ark...if you liberate your own planet, removing his forces does the trick.

[Iceman]

You only need to kill all pop, not all structures. Best bet is to remove all pop and keep the structures  [;)]  Like with bio or nano attacks. Not that they have their disadvantages too...  [:D]
 
Now, the way the game plays, it's best to raze the whole planet and colonize it anew (take some ark ships with your large invasion fleet), and the next turn you're ready to pounce on another system. If you conquer it, you'll have to build a Conquered Relay Station to expand your movement range, and it takes 4 turns to build...
With an ark ship, next turn you're ready to go.

[Flaviusx]

You can also research psi up to assimilation and keep the enemy pop without penalty.
 
For some races that will be a better way to go, depending on their victory conditions. The Trees in particular.