i have an average i want to defend. im leaving 9 spaces open for this and use 36 for research. i dont know weather to cloak/ solider outpost/ attack / or city shield to help protect it. it seems as though there is no real defense for planets because if you put enough to make it a meaningful defense you wont be producing all that much. im leaning towards cloak because if a high level players wants i dont see any way to actually keep it. i would appreciate it. and i want to thank all for your helpful answers and dan for this entertaining game. i just wish it had a bigger following and more active board.

I would say heavily depends on the value of the planet. If it ain't high. Don't waste 9 space on an average just for cloak. Put some into research instead.

exotic 4x mega research. small but an exotic and even giving up 9 spaces it will produce 115.2 research at my level of planetary production.

Seems like 9 space for defenses is rational in that case. Get more defenders on that planet also

what would you do with those 9 spaces?

2x size 3 cloak + 3 chassis? Depends on your level and the other stats (for chassis usage)

are chassis artifacts or something available from the planet tier of research. im only at +3 production

Chassis is only available from artifact shipments. I doubt it has anything to do with research.

would you put a solider outpost on it?

I have no idea how effective invasion defense 90 is. Does it reduces invasion defence same like 90 defence or more? Another question unanswered. Hardly see anyone using soldier outpost. Effectiveness, unknown.

thanks if anyone could answer how effective soldier out post are it would help. im just so lost on what to actually do to TRY to gain some measure of protection for my planets, and im not trying to make them impervious to attack just so you cant take it easily. from what i have said before i dont think its possible to really defend planets from powerful players as it stands now.