Well, im not able to write such lengthy posts due to my virtually non-existing english language skills, so ill try to be shorter. Looks like i need to clarify what im fully agree what Alkary sux, i thought it was pretty obvious tho. The point is what Mrrashans sux in comparison to any other race. You point what Mrrasshans can do some early war is correct. The only point you miss is what its the only thing they can do at all. Alkary is simply better in development, becuse they dont have theyr economy hurt by bad construction and by having an exellent fuel tech.
2. If you engage in early warfare all Propulsion research beyond Sub-Light Drives (or Fusion Drives if you don't have access to the former) is virtually irrelevant. - is so deeply wrong, so im not even sure if i really got your point, or its language barrier. Calling propulsion "irrelevant" for early war is simply absurd, as unless you play small - you could easily got a good time researching range 5 fuel simply to colonize, contrary to "Say you need range 6 to make it to your second colony. Sure, then Alkari are better. But this is uncommon." You compare 2 slighly different things here. Cats doesnt need a targeting comp, so they skip research. Alkari need drives as much as others, but they research them faster than others, thus speeding theyr colonization and grow more pop to grab the comp much later, when it actually have some use. And they do it without being hurt by bad construction. So at the beginning both races skip comps, just alkary build coloniships faster due to ok construction, they move further and pop move faster to to more early drives techs. So in result they would have more prod than cats, and would be able to build more ships than they can, even if those ships individually will be weaker.
About 3. - what is wrong with gatling laser without miniaturisation? Its very cheap teach, very powerful and work with comp1 very good.
In summation: If you want to play a strict builders game, yes Alkari are better at that than Mrrshans. - yes, thats exactly i was talked about, as its statistically make a difference. Alkari is not good in economy, but not bad also. Mrasshans can do only early war, but unlike moo2 its not optimal strategy in moo1, due to different combat and eco mechanics, you cant just build one ship and win all AI on any map size here. Alkari will simply outbuild more weaker races, thus will have more poupulation and more research. You ideas about some exploiting of early captured techs from AI's from early war is fine, but its extensive way, simply less reliable than eco development. I hope is more clear now.
2. If you engage in early warfare all Propulsion research beyond Sub-Light Drives (or Fusion Drives if you don't have access to the former) is virtually irrelevant. - is so deeply wrong, so im not even sure if i really got your point, or its language barrier. Calling propulsion "irrelevant" for early war is simply absurd, as unless you play small - you could easily got a good time researching range 5 fuel simply to colonize, contrary to "Say you need range 6 to make it to your second colony. Sure, then Alkari are better. But this is uncommon." You compare 2 slighly different things here. Cats doesnt need a targeting comp, so they skip research. Alkari need drives as much as others, but they research them faster than others, thus speeding theyr colonization and grow more pop to grab the comp much later, when it actually have some use. And they do it without being hurt by bad construction. So at the beginning both races skip comps, just alkary build coloniships faster due to ok construction, they move further and pop move faster to to more early drives techs. So in result they would have more prod than cats, and would be able to build more ships than they can, even if those ships individually will be weaker.
About 3. - what is wrong with gatling laser without miniaturisation? Its very cheap teach, very powerful and work with comp1 very good.
In summation: If you want to play a strict builders game, yes Alkari are better at that than Mrrshans. - yes, thats exactly i was talked about, as its statistically make a difference. Alkari is not good in economy, but not bad also. Mrasshans can do only early war, but unlike moo2 its not optimal strategy in moo1, due to different combat and eco mechanics, you cant just build one ship and win all AI on any map size here. Alkari will simply outbuild more weaker races, thus will have more poupulation and more research. You ideas about some exploiting of early captured techs from AI's from early war is fine, but its extensive way, simply less reliable than eco development. I hope is more clear now.