Master of Orion II: Battle at Antares/Managing your economy

Apart from blitzes, MOO II games are usually won by the most technologically advanced race, because a few advanced ships will usually slaughter a much larger but less advanced fleet. But building up your technology requires: increasingly advanced research buildings, which cost more to build and to maintain; usually more scientists, which requires that you grow your population. So you need to increase your construction capacity, cash income, and food supply (even Lithovores need to think about food once they start conquering).

This section of the guide covers building an economy that's capable of researching and using high technology. The next major section will help you to plan and manage research.