need culture assistance

from GalCiv2 Forums
Ok, so after a long hietas, I'm playing galciv again, slowly ratcheting up the difficulty.  Last game, however, I decided to mix things up and, rather than go for my accustomed alliance victory, try for a cultural.  However, things did not go smoothly.  As it turned out, I rapidly maxed out my number of starbases taking up space in 'unclaimed' sectors to increase my influence sphere, and was unable to start focusing on the more challenging influence areas without sacrificing these free gains (yes, by this point I did have max-level logistics).  Then, just when I had decided that all I could do was try to culture-flip other civs' border worlds to expand my sphere of influence, and began to do so, I got the event that accuses your culture of 'culturally attacking' their neighbors, or some such, and causes all native influence to increase.  This knocked my total % of galactic influence down about 8%, to 27%, at which point I threw up my hands and went for a tech victory.  This game was on 'challenging', large galaxy, standard frequency/star/etc. settings, btw.  Can anyone give me some solid basic strats on how to run a culture game?  Because, apparently, I have an inadequate understanding of the mechanics involved =/.
strategies
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Reply #1 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
If I understand you correctly, you are building influence starbases in "unclaimed" space, does that mean empty space? You need to have SBs near enemy planets, not empty space. And max-level logistics isn't something you need (other than at the very end to save cash for extra starbases). Research the yellow techs instead, and don't forget your government techs, they give influence as well.

If you see minor races, conquer them. Those PQ 15 planets exert a good amount of influence flip other planets nearby.

Build just enough military to keep the AI off your back and/or defend yourself. If you do get in a war, target the high PQ planets. When you conquer those, the smaller planets around it will flip over to you.
Reply #2 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
well, in that case, what does '75% of total galactic influence' entail? I thought it meant that your sphere of influence had to encompass 75% of the map, but is that inaccurate?
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Reply #3 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
It is incorrect. Area control has almost no effect on your 75% goal. What you need is to control 75% of all income generated. Enemy planets within your territory still generate influence for their empire, even though the area is "owned" by you.

Influence bases in empty space only add the amount of influence they generate themselves. Their true value is in flipping other people's planets.
Reply #4 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Exactly! Research some diplomatic techs to keep the AI's from getting too annoyed with your influence SB right next to their capitals. Research down the yellow influence branch and build all 25% and better influence improvements on your SB.

Once you see the crossbones appear on their capital, all you need to do is keep them away from declaring war on you, and wait until the capital flips. Then it's pretty much a domino effect.
In addition, as of ToA version 1.95 the Mind control center has been fixed so planets with crossbones flip near-instantly.