Setup that I use

[David Floyd]

The difficulty level I am currently on is Thinker, and I have found this strategy to be effective throughout every level (played a full or almost full game on every previous level): Huge Map with the University, expand quickly to dominate your continent. Your government should be Democracy/Free Market/Wealth, and you should contact every faction ASAP and get elected Planetary Governor. Do not go to war, just go defensive until the late middle game. Don't expand off of your continent, unless it is very small. I have even pulled this off with only 8 or so cities on a tiny island. Soon, your income will exceed 1000 credits a turn, and with your research bonuses you should be able to research every Project technology and buy each project in 1-2 turns. Cloning Vats are a must, as are all anti-mind worms and anti-drone techs. Build a large navy and a large air force. Send the navy out to conquer every sea base that your enemies own (oh, by the way, make sure the Morganites are your ally, the Gaians are nice to have too). Miriam and Yang usually have a ton. That will give you control of the seas, and you can conquer the enemy continents one by one using your unlimited range drop pods and aircraft carriers.

[The Odor]

Contradiction in terms

Don't expand off of your continent, unless it is very small. I have even pulled this off with only 8 or so cities on a tiny island.

Build a large navy and a large air force.

If you have few cities, how do build a large navy and a large air force?
Yes, you have clean reactors, you can rush-build them every turn, but how do you that quickly?
I mean, if you have few cities, you can only produce few units, even if you use the tactics above...
Or there is something that I do not grasp in your strategy?

[Dinner]

You sure do like bumping old threads.

[The Odor]

Not exactly, i just joined and started reading them... Sorry if so late, but not intentional.
So even if for many of you here all these threads are old, for me they are new...