What should I research next? Everything is 0/3 except Deep Extraction, which has the +4 buildings for both mining and research. Thus, I'm planning to go on a scan blitz soon to take care of my low research / hour. I'm also planning to hold off Advanced Armor and Shield Systems due to obtaining a Protean Armory. Same with advanced Sensors and Stealth Systems due to Stryll Transponders, Decryption Quad-Frame, and CipherBots, the latter two of which I can quickly get more via blue badging. I don't have very much space for weapons, and I'm close to the Psionic Amplifier anyway, so I was planning to just put more points into Advanced Power Systems.

The only concern is defending my planets, but I don't know if a couple levels of Shield Systems will help that much against high level invaders anyway (if they're even interested in my planets!)

What do you guys think? Thanks in advance!

Also, I'm sitting at 361 MP / 39 AP / 387 RP per hour with 12 planets occupied.

Don't worry so much about defending your planets, it's kinda rare to lose one, and there will always be more out there. Also, if you're having no problems badging, power systems, and planetary construction, get those +5 buildings. and more artifact planets.