Yeah, I'd noticed the easier logistic option on the previous update as well. It almost made me pull the trigger right then.
Any tips or other useful bits you'd offer to the rest of us newbies? I've read that playing on one of the more habitable planet types (such as the new Hydra class) helps, along with playing on a lower difficulty, of course.
Meh, I'm still learning. Haven't had a real go on anything but the most habitable planet. My usual 4x tactics work well enough with the minors....expand rapidly, make peace with my flanks, pick a target and take them out, then go after a second minor. Usually when I'm at three cities overall (my starting one and two minor conquests) I stabilize my borders and work aggressively on my infrastructure. I generally work on diplomacy with the majors about that same time. I haven't gotten far enough in any single game to go to war with the big boys because updates keep bringing new and shiny things. I will say the easing of logistics makes this a much, much more approachable game while keeping more "realism" than games which minimize supply. And filling leadership positions is starting to gell with my brain. In my current game, I fired a skilled governor who hated me, but then promoted her to a Cabinet position. Now she's become one of my most ardent fans. My Air Force chief is outstanding at his job but barely tolerates me (didn't send me a Christmas card even!!!) but I keep him on because of his skills. First political assassination I make though....that bullet may have his name on it