I have played Dark Avatar mostly, just bought the expansion packs. I would also play the military win angle - won all but higest setting.
Tax set to 55%, research max, mil max, social prod about 20-30.
1) Research minimize 3 levels, then engines, then sensor so I could build survey ships 3-8(get the goods), engines up to but not warp yet. Customizing ships as I minimize and dev engines(faster san and colony vessels). Research "Scaners" to level 3 allowing nano recorders (10% boost in research). Research(2) , mfg tree(2) , banks (2).
Next morale so as to keep happy and tax more and Goverment as they give 10, 20 then 30% increase in funds.
Watching funds so I can still "buy" even if it drives me in debt I research good/evil, chose Evil, research to end. This gives mind control center that when built gives 100% increase in money(gets us out of debt quickly). This will also give the buildings for increaseing mil production(slave center), no mercy invasion (0 invasion costs), temple of evil(taking part of trade from other evil races).
Trade for shilds, armor, wepons, etc when possible - do not research till later.
Research habitat improvement - build/buy aphrodisiac - 50% increase in pop growth.
Research hulls and customize atack ships as hulls increase in size. 30% hit points is good to start building to keep them from attacking.
Put some money to spying so you can see what their ships have for wepons/defense and build to their weakness - ie shields/lasers mean build shilds/missles or guns.
Research chaff tree - at end is another research bonus hyper computers.
Build/buy correctly and you will be able to have a small fast fleet (3-5) that takes out 6-9. Transports of 100 pc to get them there fast.
GALACTOPEDIA allows look at tec tree and gives info on abilities/bonus/costs.
Note: In the new combined game the $ increase with mind control went away!!!!