New Player Needs Strategy Tips!

[kool_kat]

Gents: [8D]

I've recently purchased Armada 2526... patched it up... and worked through the tutorial. I've "attempted" to play a custom game... only to delete each one and restart a half dozen times because of a lack of strategy! [X(]

Here is my "starting strategy" for the Qa Qa: I look for either (Ideal or Habitable) planets in my Domain that are either (Normal or Rich) in resources - especially worlds with asteroid belts and send my initial Ark ships to colonize these planets. Once these initial colonies are established, I build 1 mine on each planet to generate income. I than automate my transport ships to redistribute my population among the colonies. I also focus on 2 areas of research - Construction (Ark ships) and Bio Research (Terra Forming). I than build 1-3 more Ark ships dependent on suitable planets in my Domain and send my scout to explore potential planets for colonization. At this point, I start to run out of funds / income and need to just "stand by" while my fledgling colonies construct their mines and income starts to flow into the Qa Qa coffers!

So... my question to Armada vets... is now what? Do I start to build defenses for these colonies? Upgrade facilities? Keep building Ark ships and expanding as rapidly as possible? Have a few heavily defended production planets? What to do with my Corvettes? [&:]

Net: Looking for guide lines and strategy tips on what to do in the start of a custom game utilizing the Qa Qa ... like Turns 1 - 75?

Thanks! [:D]

[mbar]

Your plan is sound. Just keep in mind it will take about 25 turns before those mines are paid for and start generating profit. They cost 2000 credits up front but only generate about 100 credits per turn(in a normal system with earth like planets anyway)

Taxes will be your base income and as population grows income will increase. Also keep in mind that when your population is on transports they are not giving you tax income.