I would like feedback on something. I jumped into a pretty big, medium size map (1 star) against 3 AIs. I chose the TEC Loyalists with three AIs of normal difficulty: TEC Rebel, Advent Loyalist, and Advent Rebel. Instead of focusing on planets or asteroids behind or around my capital, I headed for the border worlds, wiping out militia, and colonizing wells along the way. By border worlds, I am referring to planets on the edge, or planets that the enemy has to pass through to get to me.

I saw a few places where I left myself open and I will quickly correct this when I resume the game later. For example, one phase lane leading to enemy-occupied corners of the system goes through a pirate base. Like a rookie, I chose not to set up a defense on my end of that lane because the pirates, I was thinking, would serve as a buffer. I need a defense, however, to deal with pirate raiders.

Anyway I had an enemy fleet slip by before I completed a defensive node and they took two planets within my half of the system. Now that the border world is secured, I'm taking those planets, and every other planet/asteroid that I missed during my dash to the border. I've taken one of the two enemy controlled planets back and I'm about to hit the second. I keep seeing enemy cap ships from the second planet jump to the first, but instead of engaging, they jump back. They keep doing this. Almost like they're just waving through the window at my fleet. It's rather amusing. Or it's like they're saying, "I think I can, I think I can, nope. Phase jump."

On a side note, after taking back that first planet, I continue to appreciate the Orgrov Torpedo Cruiser. The combined might of 20 can bring a powerful starbase to its knees very quickly and any other base structures. I played with a friend of mine the other day and, as his fleet drew heat away from my cruisers, he commented several times how impressed he was with the torp damage as I quickly took down a starbase, several hangars, and other installations. I have a lot of love for the Orgrov.

Does anyone have any feedback on this border world strategy (concerns with it or maybe suggestions: don't forget to)? My defensive node, in case you're wondering, consists of a starbase with full weaps, shields, and fighter bays (8 bomber squads). Behind the starbase are two hangars filled with fighter squads. Between the hangars is a repair bay for repairing the starbase (as someone suggested to me once and seems to help). I plan to set up some turrets too with all of the necessary research to improve turret output.

One thing that is slowing me down is the flow of crystal. I didn't find a lot of crystal in the wells I grabbed on my way to the border. I'm thinking that as my main force made its way to the border, I should have created a second, small force to grab wells with crystal. Maybe next time.