Considering a small moon start...

[JWW]

Starting a new game with the 1.02 update and considering a small moon start to kind of knock things down to basics, review and improve on the things I do know, and learn more of the many things I don't know. I've looked here and on Steam discussions (quite active for a game that might be several months away) and seen such a start both recommended for new players and not recommended. I still consider myself new since I have not played through a whole game but rather a few early games while watching videos and learning the basics and trying to look in depth at things like the logistics system. I do understand some of the disadvantages compared to other planet choices, but the small size appeals to me. Also personally I like playing smaller size maps in most games I play that have a map size choice. So recommendations on a small moon start for a somewhat new player would be appreciated. Is it like Ireland for a 1066 Crusader Kings start, or something not to try? Good idea or bad idea or in between? Recommendation might also be helpful for other new players who might be considering the same thing as me. Thanks.

[zgrssd]

The moon is one of the few truly small maps we have.
All other planets are very big, even on small.
Moreover, the small map will also mess up planetsize, gravity, atmsphere and seasons. Since those are already lost thematics because of the moon start, hardly a loss.

I would start on T4 with 1 starting army. Unless you somehow accidentally (or very intetionally) rolled Mountains, mobility is king. To bad you got so few fuel

[Jdane]

I've been found of starting from scratch and building up my regime and forces since the days of Advanced Tactics Gold (in the case of Shadow Empire this would mean a city-state, minimal tech levels, only militia start), but I'll gladly admit that a more advanced start is a perfectly valid choice.

I fact I should probably give it a try to get a feel of what mid to early late game techs look like in practice. I've been pretty much staying in early game since release.