by ghbell
Pillaging is good, that is for sure. Of course, that assumes you draw ancients. Then that assumes you are using the money for materials and not for extra actions. Of course that is all relative.I agree that RIS never/rarely use the Starbases. I think it is silly they start with that as opening tech. I don't get the theme.
Last, at equal tech to start the game, Mechanema are better. Usually that persists for a turn or two beyond the beginning. They are cheaper, and have a bigger plus to hit.
Later, after many actions and many researchs, and many other variables, either could be better or worse. Later in the game, the cruisers CAN bet better by that -1 shield, but then the Mechanema will have more ships to off set that -1.
Personally, I see Mech win more games than RIS, but that is just my group. You would have to poll other groups to see what they have going on.