So, I just started, sent requests to a couple of legions and and hoping I get accepted.

But, I have to say that I don't know much about the game. I want to get on the leaderboard for something. Don't know what though.

So what is a good strategy, and what is a good leaderboard to hit?

Kills board isn't too hard to hit as long as you have a good legion with a good base production.

If you do decide to go kills:

• Rank slowly, without too much energy, then unleash a series of energy refills at once to get on there.
• Get good weapons, hull, defense and energy tech. I know I said rank slowly, but 1 efficient reactor is better than 3 poor reactors.
• Build around hull. 5 hulls are a priority, but you should also ensure you have plenty of attack and defense.
• JOIN A GOOD LEGION! This goes without saying. Right now I get 30k research 5/7 days a week, but that is right at the top end.

~StrmAvenger, ranked 38 on kills, Crimson Corporation.

Didn't expect to actually get any feedback from someone actually ON the leaderboards.

But I'm a Vygoid Spy, will that help me get to the leaderboards?

If you see any planets owned by a legion called the Dysonians and there's no attack or defense on them, feel free to help yourself. that's their way of giving new players a hand.

Well I'm 46 on the leaderboard and I'm quickly catching up to strm and his refills. The key is to just build a great ship and the kills will come naturally. You do not need refills to get on, but it does take a while. I recommend that you just go for the 512 red badges needed for the four Dominion Cannon MK IIIs unless you want to feed your ego like I do. If you do decide to go for it, follow these basic rules and you should be fine:

Research hull, weapons, energy and def in that order. By level 80 you should have overcharged q-phased, heavy quantum devastators and zero point energy at the very least. Aim for at least 15 attack per rank you have (this isn't possible for the first 50 levels, but is possible at around rank 80ish with some decent research). Buy the Dominion cannon MK Is if you do plan to go for the leaderboards, since you will have tons of reds to spare anyway. Use all your energy to PvP, and only kill the rares and blade harvesters that pop up on your NPC tab. In the first few levels, defence isn't necessary because you can tank damage with your damage cap and hull anyway. Find a good legion who is willing to help you out with your research, and you should be good to go.

When you get to about rank 100 or so, follow BinaryMan's rule: Does it take more decks to double your defence or to double your hull. Do the one that costs the least decks. Generally, you will want to have all five hulls installed at all times, and drop weapons for defence whenever you feel that you have too much attack (for example at rank 100, 2000 attack is about the same as 1700 attack because you hit for nearly max on anyone anyway with either attack).

If you get a high AP production up (i.e past 2k AP per hour) you can drop all relays and two cores to install more weapons, hull or defence. This is because you'll be using artifacts to make up for the decks you aren't getting from rank ups, thus getting a stronger ship for your level, making everyone else easier to kill.

EDIT: Pick konqul fixer, it gives you a large advantage over other people.

or its our way of being lazy... up to you how you want to look at it.