Does it make sense to swap planetary exploitations during the game? For example, if I built Alien Grafting on a Terran planet and now all my system population slots are full, is it better to keep it or swap it out for Exoscience Stations?



I think in some systems with the right mix of planet types it might make sense, but not on others. Anyone tried this and can report on the results?

As far it's said in the game, some of the other planetary exploitations have better bonuses for certain planet types. What I usually do after the planets in a system are full, I change each planet's exploitation to that that best suits its type. For instance, Lavas are very good for science exploitations. For planets that don't fall into either of the science and dust groups I go with either industry if this system is a military production zone or with science/dust depending on which of them I need more.



I'm still learning to play the game but for now my gameplay style is to go with food until the system is full and then switch as I described above.



I hope this helps.

Only been at the game a couple of weeks myself, so am learning as I go. Thx for the info and I'll give it a try.

It makes sense to do what is best for the planet type you are exploiting, unless you need something more. Just make sure that regardless of the exploitations that you have enough food to go around. Some buildable improvements can help mitigate the food issue.

i swap exploitations out whenever i feel the need to. for example i will usually use food exploitation to grow a planet from when i first colonize it to get some population on the planet and once its full or almost full swap it for whatever the greatest benefits i get out of the planet or whatever i need from it, so if i was short on dust i would switch to dust exploitation or science exploitation on an arctic if I've finished getting its pop up.

I used to simply go with whatever was best for the planet type. However, after reading through the forums, I was convinced that food is more important early in order to grow the system as quickly as possible. Then when full, I definitely switch to what is best for the planet type. If it's best at food, then and only then, will I switch it to what I need most.

at higher tiers the "Food-Planets" also yield an extra Point or two with the appropriate Industry/Dust/Science exploitation. If there is no imminent Need for a specific resource and you're not using the Foodto industry building It's best to swap to Jungle-industry; Terran-Dust; Ocean-Science.

Switching exploits is extremely common in mid and late-game. It's only 40 industry per planet, which by then should be only a fraction of a turns production.

Most of the time I switch between Food and whatever has the highest bonus for a given planet type. In rare cases I also switch to dust, so I can keep my taxes where they are. But that only makes sense if the tax-rate is >=20% since otherwise simply going for industry and then converting it into Dust is more effective anyways.



This imho is a weakness in the design. When you can afford higher tax-rates later in the game due to the many approval-buildings, you'll swim in dust anyways.



If you activate the system-governor (in the empire view, since for some reason there's no button for that in the system view), it will also use food exploit as long as the planets aint full and whatever gives the highest bonus when it is. With the exception of the Sowers, where the AI seems to always make industry exploit, which also kinda makes sense for them as it is food and industry in one.