ANOTHER quick question from a new player (probably not the last) - [RESOLVED]

[nogwart]

Having finished the tutorial, and made some good progress in my first "real" game (over a dozen hours), I just wanted to ask if I'm understanding one of (what I believe might be) the main "stategies" of the game.

Based on my game so far, it appears that the AI Homeworlds are defended by very high level units.  Therefore, it seems that it will take high-level units of my own to "take" the AI Homeworlds.  In order to get my units up to high enough levels, I will need Knowledge so that I can upgrade my units as high as possible.  In order to gain Knowledge, I need to destroy enemy Command ships, replace them with my own Command ships, then let a Science Lab gather all Knowledge from the planet.  However, when I destroy every enemy Command ship, the AIP is increased, which soon prompts an AI invasion/retaliation.  Most recently, these retaliations have been ridiculous in size, with (seemingly) no possibility of repelling them, no matter how many turrets or defensive ships I place on my "choke points".

Apologies for the lengthy setup to my question, but here is what I'd like to ask for confirmation or correction:

Am I correct that the "trick" is to find the right balance between

1 - Upgrading ONLY your most meticulously selected units JUST ENOUGH (by destroying AI Command ships + using Science Labs) so that they stand a chance against the AI defenses at their Homeworlds, and...
2 - NOT destroying TOO MANY AI Command ships and thereby raising AIP which will cause the AI to launch the ridiculously huge retaliatory attacks that will wipe you out.

In most RTS games, I almost always try to upgrade all of my units as much as possible before making any large attacks, but it's looking like that method is not intended to be successful in this game, and will in fact lead to failure.

Could anyone please confirm or correct me on this?

[Toranth]

In most RTS games, I almost always try to upgrade all of my units as much as possible before making any large attacks, but it's looking like that method is not intended to be successful in this game, and will in fact lead to failure.

You've got it 100% correct.
The heart of the game is about balancing your growth against the AI's growth.  This means ignoring anything that doesn't help you more than the AI.

In addition to upgrading your starting units, you can also capture Core Fabricators, which will allow you to produce the Mk V variant of a single ship type, or unlock new ship types by capturing an Advanced Research Station.
Additionally, you can also do some of these upgrades through hacking.  You can gain knowledge through 'K-raid' hacking, which allows you drain the K available in a system even while the AI Command Station is still present.  You can hack Fabricators and Advanced Factories to gain their abilities without the need to capture them.  And you can perform a Backup Download hack, which unlocks a specific AI ship type for you to use.
You can gain additional Knowledge from certain systems (up to 9000) if that system has a Spire Archive in it.  Normally, there are two Spire Archives per galaxy, located close to the AI Core Worlds.

[Shrugging Khan]

Yeah, you've already got it. Capture high value assets where practicable, destroy enemy strategic assets where possible. Avoid raising AIP or wasting HaP where there is nothing of great value to gain. Analyse cost and benefit, plan ahead. You need to play for a while to get a good feeling for what it is that you actually need in any given situation, and what you can do without.

[nogwart]

Thank you both very much for confirming! 

I'm glad I've got at least this basic strategy plan right.  I'm going to have to skip back a handful of saves to progress in my game, but this gives me a solid idea on how to win.

Thanks again! 

[Elestan]

I'm going to have to skip back a handful of saves to progress in my game, but this gives me a solid idea on how to winsurvive.

Fixed that for you.