In terms of power, I'm somewhere around Belgium...

[gridlore]

The Ultracorps test has ended. Here are my final stats:

# Worlds Owned: 8 (tied for 187th)
# Firepower: 476.61 (197th)
# Net Worth: 29,867 (172nd)
# Victories: 11
# Defeats: 8
# Win Ratio: 6.37 (tied for 221st)
# Population: 6,399 (199th)

I've learned a few valuable lessons from this limited play test:

1. Expand! Building up a good base of worlds early is vital. You need those resources.

2. Build. Especially cheap units like the Super Space Fighter, WarMeks, and Cargo Carriers. Building and outfitting fleets, even ones that are filled with cannon fodder, allow you to grab more worlds while you are still surrounded by neutrals.

3. Don't skimp on defense. Once I have several worlds, and a few good fleets, I can focus on building static defenses for my core worlds.

4. Buy the big licenses early. Getting the ability to build MegaBots, HC-4 Space Runways, and the Infinita; even before I can feasibly pay for them, would be nice.

5. Build Sensors! Having a good sensor net on my frontier would have been nice. Along with that, build a couple of reaction fleets. Fast units like the TK Bike v2, the Hurax Stealth Fighter or the X-5 Raider. Combined with a good sensor net, I can respond to incoming invaders and give them a shock.

Comments

With Apologies to Robert Herrick...

[aurictech.livejournal.com]

Gather ye sensors while ye may (http://www.johnwilliamwaterhouse.com/paintings/painting3428.aspx),
Before foes' fleets are flying,
Lest orbital strikes rain down one day
And leave your people dying.

You know what this sounds like?

[capplor.livejournal.com]

A 3-d variation of the game Go. Surround the neutral areas you can, while you can and fill in the "captured" spaces later. Or go at it like Admiral Chester Nimitz in the South Pacific.

Meanwhile, I'm over here humming that old Spiritual "Down By the Riverside."