by Bankler
In our 6 player game today, my 10yo son took the R-I to a 47 point total (compared to ~25 for most players).The Syndicate snowballs. If you get a good early kill (say a single alien) then get a discovery, you can then aim for a double alien + discovery. I believe he took out an alien, then a double, then a PvP skirmish, then a newly discovered hive. On T9 he placed the last Sector III tile (which had a hive) and just diverted two interceptors in a half move to a) kill 3 aliens and b) claim the sector and discovery tile.
So ... their economy sucks, but keep smacking people to get money/better systems to propel your economy.
Research a few big things. Upgrade your interceptors ASAP, and put spare upgrades into your cruiser or starbase. You are probably only going to use 2 ship types, so not having dreadnoughts isn't terrible.
My son got an Anti Matter Cannon on turn ... 3, I think and positron computers soon after. Then his interceptors can destroy a dreadnought, and have built in shields.
The R-I can (with a single move) move and pin an entire fleet. (Another move or tachyon drives will let them into empty systems. If the RI kills that fleet (likely) that's 4 money. AKA 2/3rds of an interceptor's cost with the 3:2 conversion rate, not to mention any worlds he conquers.
However, if you have an early disaster you could be crippled for a long time.
R-I's other (huge) bonus: disposable early diplomatic relations. Your neighbor will often (reluctantly) agree because you can crush them early on, so they may as well get a cube for the turn or two until you do betray them. Betray them later (since you take no penalty), or keep diplomatic relations to focus on your other neighbor.
I've seen the R-I in four games and they've romped through two of them (including today's six player) and come in dead last in two, including a near total bankruptcy.