by Rynvord
Actually one of our players plays this race very often as this is his race of choice somehow.What is said is true. middle set is the most important one at the beginning, it is 12 resources for additional disk, which is almost always available. Then you should invent 2-res set, it is 3 more VP plus instant worm-hole generator. It can be used later on to easily attack your opponents through borders (Lyra is very usefull for alliances because of that). Last one 6-res set is only for VP, but do not underestimate. 6 VP is 6 VP. All in all target is to have very calm and peaceful game up to 7 turn if possible, reaching all 9 sanctuaries (9VP) and another 3 VP from last set (total 12 VP).
Lyra is not fighting much, as you will have to firstly research more juicy techs. In general I would advice technology advantage rather than outnumbering your opponent ships. Keep in mind that Lyra can use its colony ships to re-roll dices. Because of that you would love to have the strongest cannons possible, with anti-matter splitter if possible, and good computers. And you need to play you colony ships well. (although, this feature is visibly worst than the one that Magellans have)
Typical option for 8 and 9 especially turn will be stabbing some of the players in the back. This can be easily done of you have your prosperity disk and all 3 additional disks. If you do not have very large space and you are controlling only better hexes, during the 9th turn you will be plausibly finishing action pahse with at least one action more than all your opponents.
If you will play it well, you might be able to take control over 2 or 3 secotrs just because of you action advantage (remember about having neutron bombs)
All in all, it is clearly better than Exiles - which will collect ~8 VP from orbitals and is very poor in case of it defence ; but in my opinion a bit worst than Rho Indi Sindicate, which I simply love ;) I played Lyra once, and it was confusing at the beginning, but it was fun in the end. Also Lyra was winning some games during our matches.