Species - Combine Marine

The Combine is a militaristic Human society with a motto of Vitae delenda est (Life Must Be Exterminated… that's a loose translation). Their military equipment is first rate, not too expensive and there is quite a variety of worthwhile Military and Colony Improvements to research. They are warlike!

Strengths and Weaknesses

Restricted to Oxygen atmosphere worlds with a temperate climate and standard gravity. Can tolerate a reasonable number of less than ideal planetary conditions. They compete directly with other Human races, the Myrmodi, the Cetaci and the Saurischi for real estate
Facility costs are moderate; Industrial facilities are cheap.

Click the Combine for a closeup.
Smaller Hull Types are few in number but well equipped with weapons mounts and shields. DN and SD Hull Types are excellent.
DD Shields are weak, CA Shields adequate and larger vessel Shields excellent. A Military Improvement is available in Era 7.
Propulsion systems are excellent, and two useful Military Improvements are available (Eras 4 and 6).
Astro-Navigation is good.
ECM is ordinary for DDs, good for larger vessels. A Military Improvement from Era 7 will help.
Offensive Projectiles are generally good, particularly Guided Missiles. o Defensive Projectiles are excellent, and inexpensive.
There are no Beam Weapons for DDs, CA Beams are adequate while larger vessel Beam Weapons are very good.
Military Improvements are varied; rate of fire, interception, penetration, propulsion, deflection, ECM and Planet Attack can be improved.
Colony Improvements are extensive. The increases in Industry and R&D output are particulary valuable.
SP costs for Era jumps are average.
Warlike nature may restrict diplomatic opportunities in multiplayer games.
Average trade capability makes neutrality a viable diplomatic state when more enemies exist than can conveniently be fought at the one time.
Base Rate of Fire is 65. Very good.

Default Production Queue
The first couple of times you play The Combine, I recommend you configure the default production queue as follows, especially in the early game.
I1 / R1 / I2 / R2 / D1 / I3 / R3 / D2 / S1 / I4 / R4 / D3 / S2 / M / C / D4 / S3 / S4