Warning: I haven't read every post in every subforum, so I might be suggesting things that already have been proposed.
- Fighters. Not like the tiny and small hull sizes, but rather as a fourth weapon type. For attack there'd be bombers, and for defense interceptors. Offensive techs would be better bombs/torpedoes, defensive techs some kind of fighter-based weapon (possibly advancing with normal weapon techs, so your highest level weapon tech would actually determine the effectiveness of your fighter defense; so there'd be laser fighter bays, missile fighter bays and gun fighter bays).
- If there's going to be bombers, there should be proper planetary bombardment as well. Do away with the current attack choices for ground combat, and make the player choose between no/light/medium/heavy bombardment, resulting in a bigger advantage for higher collateral damage.
- Icons for capitals (as in manufacturing capital, not capital ships), for identifying them on the map.
That's all I can think of right now. Feel free to discuss any of this (in a civilized manner, of course).
