Mass purchasing of shipyard-type buildings vs "Shipyard worlds"

from Stardock Forums
Do you find its better to simply make shipyards and shipyard-style buildings in every colony that you have, or is it better to have a core group of ship producing colonies?

I would think the latter would be more efficient- or at least I used to, but after playing the game for some time I strongly suspect it is the former, especially in the light of the whole "if you don't build anything in that colony, the production is wasted" thing.
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Reply #1 from Stardock Forums Top
I guess I compromise. Usually I have my top several colonies make combat ships (how many varies by map size, the PQ distribution of the colonies, and a host of other factors, but this can be over half) and these colonies get shipyard improvements. The rest of my colonies build constructors or maybe transports which shouldn't ever see combat.
Reply #2 from Stardock Forums Top
Yeah, I always set planets I dont need cranking out warships to constructors. Constructors have relatively long build times, which is great since if you suddenly have a need for a quick battle axe or whatnot, you just change production and it usually pops out in the next month or so. Additionally, they have no upkeep and you really cant have too many constructors. ;)

In my mind at least, that helps offset the otherwise wasted production.

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Multiplicity - Control multiple PCs using one keyboard and mouse
Reply #3 from Stardock Forums Top
I always set aside a few, a very small number of colonies dedicated to simple transports, constructors, scouts, sensors, etc.

The vast majority I build shipyards etc. because when you do go to war, you really need to turn on the ship production.

and the ships that pop out are high quality, so yeah for me the I follow rule #1 with a few systems as exceptions, (the ones in the corner of the map on large or larger.

Oh, yeah and my style doesn't really allow me to build many of the more expensive buildings so I forgo them until much later.
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Reply #4 from Stardock Forums Top
Maybe that's because I play on higher difficulties and with my style where it's necessary to be an excellent war machine, I usually dominate in military power.

If you are playing a peaceful style then build one colony per fifteen colonies where you crank out the units, save your construction cost for something else more productive in the other fourteen.
Reply #5 from Stardock Forums Top
I concur with all of you, just wanted to spot check myself to see if anything was wrong.

Thanks, everyone.

Oh and btw, for whatever reason, I seldom invade anyone, and when I DO invade, its to take back one of my planets. Its just too much of a hassle for me to be bothered ;P.
Reply #6 from Stardock Forums Top
I actually don't make any shipyards anymore unless war is imminent (which I can usually avoid now). I produce enough military power so the AI won't attack because I'm too weak. And then I take over the universe culturally, 1 planet at a time.

If I play lower levels though, I'll just have a good old war with my high PQ planets pumping out the warships with the shipyards.