Expansion rates to aim for and the viability of turtling.

[Fishi]

Ever since the ship and unit upkeep system has been implemented I've found it incredibly difficult to actually hold territory, and I haven't yet gotten a good feel for the flow of the GC. I tend to try taking it slow and safely, making planned strikes and expanding through clusters of planets to make sure I limit the number of hyperspace lanes that lead into my territory, but what exactly is a good rate for expansion? Is taking it slow just asking to be slowly murdered by the AI making a constant overextended rush the only option, or should I take it slow and fortify with my pitifully low income (thanks upkeep mechanic) to make sure I don't overextend by so much as spreading two jumps away from my original border?

I tend to try playing either EotH or PA, though the latter not so much anymore after seeing how hard SSD upkeep tanks your economy. Is EotH economy just too weak in the current state of the game too? I remember seeing a post about the current version that ranked the faction pretty low because of it, but it'd suck to have to wait for the next release to play the mod.

[Katarnstar]

If you're hurting for cash when payday comes around, I would suggest launching a strike on an enemy system, as you're not charged for upkeep if your ships are en rounte or over an enemy system.

Personally, I raid enemy systems to maybe pick off ships or maybe kill space stations as it does add up over time.

[Fishi]

Huh, I was under the assumption it wouldn't impact the AI all that much to raid, since usually 4x AI just cheats up the ass, though the main thing im concerned with is how fast i should be going, like by week 30 should i be already taking another cluster of planets? I tried that with a PA game and my economy really suffered due to how many fleets I needed to hold it all.