This looks interesting...

[steelwing]

Check this out:

The system to the right (Dyoken, highlighted) is my next near term goal.  It's got an A-Prime CSG in it, which means I have to capture it and destroy that CSG sometime.  Before that, though, I'm thinking to deal with at least two of the three systems to the left.  The leftmost of the three, with a 69 under it, has the SuperTerminal in it, along with a Broken Armored Golem.  The one with a 29 has nothing of special value, other than that taking it would be helpful for getting to the other two.  The remaining system has a Data Center and a Distribution Node.
How soon does one go after a SuperTerminal?  Would it typically be more of a midgame target?

[Captain Jack]

More of a midgame desperation move if you really piss the AI off. Superterminals raise the AIP floor the longer they're active, so you risk locking yourself at point where regular AIP reducers aren't as effective as they might be. Put that planet off for later or destroy the ST.

[Aklyon]

Superterminal also tends to eat up all your HaP, so I leave it alone if i can until I run out of doable useful hacks.

[steelwing]

Good advice.  Considering what I just triggered simply attacking the ST host system, no way I could have handled a hacking response falling on me.  The AI hit me with reprisal waves on two systems at once.   

[steelwing]

Woohoo!
I have an armored golem now!  Just finished repairing it.
Really glad I took that system first instead of the one with a Data Center.  Turns out it's got a Mk III Ion Cannon parked in it too.    That golem's about to earn its keep.

[Pumpkin]

I don't seek to bring your fun down, but... Shouldn't this thread be in the strategy subforum?

[Aklyon]

I don't seek to bring your fun down, but... Shouldn't this thread be in the strategy subforum?

Works just as well here.

[Pumpkin]

I don't seek to bring your fun down, but... Shouldn't this thread be in the strategy subforum?

Works just as well here.

No problem. I'm not a moderator.

[steelwing]

Woohoo!
I have an armored golem now!  Just finished repairing it.
Really glad I took that system first instead of the one with a Data Center.  Turns out it's got a Mk III Ion Cannon parked in it too.    That golem's about to earn its keep.

Just out of curiosity, can you capture an AI-owned Ion Cannon installation when you take over its planet?  I can't imagine it would be worth the pain, given the damage the cannon does and how fast it can insta-kill so much of your fleet.  I certainly don't intend to try it in a game where I have a golem and a bunch of raid starships to tear that cannon apart!

[Captain Jack]

Woohoo!
I have an armored golem now!  Just finished repairing it.
Really glad I took that system first instead of the one with a Data Center.  Turns out it's got a Mk III Ion Cannon parked in it too.    That golem's about to earn its keep.

Just out of curiosity, can you capture an AI-owned Ion Cannon installation when you take over its planet?  I can't imagine it would be worth the pain, given the damage the cannon does and how fast it can insta-kill so much of your fleet.  I certainly don't intend to try it in a game where I have a golem and a bunch of raid starships to tear that cannon apart!

Yeah you can. Makes for a useful defense for a whipping boy. Makes taking the planet a bit harder, but it's possible with enough knowledge/starships.

[Aklyon]

Woohoo!
I have an armored golem now!  Just finished repairing it.
Really glad I took that system first instead of the one with a Data Center.  Turns out it's got a Mk III Ion Cannon parked in it too.    That golem's about to earn its keep.

Just out of curiosity, can you capture an AI-owned Ion Cannon installation when you take over its planet?  I can't imagine it would be worth the pain, given the damage the cannon does and how fast it can insta-kill so much of your fleet.  I certainly don't intend to try it in a game where I have a golem and a bunch of raid starships to tear that cannon apart!

MkIIIs are probably worth taking. Lower ones its debatable if the cost is worth the effort, considering how soon the AI moves up to mkII minimum for ships.