Techromancer: About the only shield enhancement I ever use is "Hard Shields," though that's mostly if I figure on running into Transporters. It's rather handy inside a Nebula as well.

For the most part, the specials I tend to use are basic ones - Battle Pods, ECM, Reinforced Hull, Battle Scanners (for beam ships and scouts), Augmented Engines. I'll make use of Warp Dissipaters if I can get them (I always research Planetary Radiation Shields) - those go either on Titans or on dedicated destroyers which are otherwise equipped only with defensive systems and PD guns.

I seem to use different things for different jobs.Most of my ships Battleship and larger start with Battle Pods, ECM Jammer and Reinforced Hull. When I get more room, I add some specialties. On the Gyro battleship, I will add Augumented engines and sometimes Heavy Armor if I have it.

I use a titan for the heavy beam ship with my best beam weapon (HV). I add to the basic three the Rangemaster and the Structural Analyzer (if I have it) Later in the game, I sometimes add the high energy focus, but I don't research it.

If I am luck enough to get the Black Hole from Orion, I will add to the basic three a Subspace teleporter, Augmented engines and Heavy Armor

Techromancer: About the only shield enhancement I ever use is "Hard Shields," though that's mostly if I figure on running into Transporters. It's rather handy inside a Nebula as well.

For the most part, the specials I tend to use are basic ones - Battle Pods, ECM, Reinforced Hull, Battle Scanners (for beam ships and scouts), Augmented Engines. I'll make use of Warp Dissipaters if I can get them (I always research Planetary Radiation Shields) - those go either on Titans or on dedicated destroyers which are otherwise equipped only with defensive systems and PD guns.

Les229: My first battleship usually has a battle pod, ECM Jammer and Reinforced Hull. Like you, I rarely do anything to enhance the shields, but was wondering if anyone had a defense they were proud of.

crazy_dave: I forgotten, can you turn warp dissipator off on a ship that has one? or do you just have to retreat the ship? Sometimes I want the enemy to withdraw rather than fight to the bitter end.

Techromancer: I've never tried turning it off; it's possible retreating the WD-equipped ship might be the only option.

Les229: How do you configure your close attacking ships for late in the game?

Avogadro6: Usually I don't difference them too much. If the enemy civilizations do not have good shields then I just keep on using the same weapons I beat the Guardian with. Otherwise I just refit everything with Hv Death Rays and the best PD weapons available. If there's a particular tech that I want to recover from enemy ships I also equip my fleet with Tractor Beams and heavy armor, Death Rays kill marines so I don't even have to bother with much resistance.