Ok. I've read through a number of moon creation threads (thanks to WW's list of links), though far from the majority of them... 55 links is a bit daunting.

All the ones I've looked at seem to discuss how much debris you need, and the best ways to make that debris.

Here are a couple of different questions... if they're answered elsewhere, a link would be great.

1. At what point should you work on having moons? I have about 30K points now. I have no idea if I should spend the resources yet to make the units to work on getting moons. Does it matter if you're a fleeter vs a miner vs a turtle (I haven't really decided for myself yet which I'll be)?

2. How many moons do you need when you first need them? I have my 21 colonies in three 'clumps', each in a different (adjacent) galaxy. Do I need one per galaxy clump (two or three systems per galaxy)? or one per system? Is it eventually worthwhile to have a moon on every planet, or is only one per system ever needed?

3. What sort of player is best to ask to help in making moons? I figure it should generally be someone in your alliance, but is it best for two players about the same level to help each other, or is it more efficient for an advanced player to help the player just ready for his/her first moon(s)?

Any suggestions would be appreciated. TIA

1. There really is no BEST answer tho there are many opinions. If you choose to be a fleeter, you will need access to a moon more quickly than as a miner/turtle to move your fleet from one moon to another for quick strikes.

2. You need only 1 moon for fleetsaving at first, But remember that moons can be destroyed and if you limit yourself to one, it will be easy to get your fleet.
If you are going to hop your fleet all over you will have to have a minimum of 2, the more moons teh better.

3. help will come from anybody you can trust. Remember that the milking/pushing rule applies to moon shots, so whatever you do make sure that any coordinated moonshots are even between both parties, I give you 5, you give me 5 kinda thing so knowbody gets extra resources from the deal.

There are a lot of scenarios about moon shots, this is just basic enough to get you where you need without you getting in trouble.

BTW, the max chance for a moon is now 18%, which means you only need 1.8 million total debris (Metal = Crystal) in teh debris field. Debris is calculated as Ship Structure pts x 0.60. Structure points are the combined metal and crystal needed to create any certain ship. For value, try to use ships that are heavy in metal, low in Crystal and NO deuturium such as BS or HF.

A very helpful response... thank you so much!

I didn't realize that moons, unlike planets, can be destroyed. Not having one yet, I don't know what options one has on building on moons... can you build defenses? If so, are they worth building, and which ones? Again, TIA.

You can build:

Robotics: to speed up building time of other buildings

Shipyard:defenses/fleet can be built but slow compared to a planet with a nanite ( not accessable on the moon)

metal/crysta/deuturuim tanks (Useless) I dont really even know why this is an option to build. They serve no purpose.

Alliance depot (one on the moon or the planet works for both). Currently you need only build level 1 for it to work, no matter how many ships are sent to defend.

Lunar Base( needed to create additional fields for building) This must be teh first thing you build. You recieve 1 slot to build. This builds 4 slots and takes 1.

Sensor Phalanx (Used to detect movement. Range is dependent on level. Range= Level squared -1, so if you have a level 5 phalanx, 5x5-1=24 systems

Jumpgate (used to transport ships from one moon to another. Both moons must have a gate. One hour cool down after use on those two JG. NO RESOURCES can be moved thru a Jump Gate)