Hi all,
Something I've been trying to figure out is how one would play the game as a merchant empire which refuses to get their hands dirty with things like actually building stuff. However, as far as I can tell, at least in the early game, this seems impossible, or at least highly impractical as it seems much cheaper to simply put the production into manufacturing and build stuff than it is to buy things. It doesn't help that I cant figure out how or why certain things are priced as they are. Is there a set conversion between manufacturing and credits when looking at the cost of an item (module, hull, planetary improvement)? Are there things that affect that conversion rate such as approval, or base production of a planet?
All I can find on the topic is in the gamepedia where it claims that "With money being so important to your economy" but it fails to explain exactly how it is important. Obviously you need it for upkeep but you can't really just buy things can you? It's not so much a separate method of galactic domination as it is more of a staple in the pantry or maybe your taxes. If that's the case then that's fine, but not very exciting.
I could just be doing things wrong and missing out on how to make mad lootz, if anyone has any strategy tips feel free to let me know.
Thanks.