Here's something to rile up the posters…

What is the better tactic with using up starting ship points? Buy a cheaper hull (like a transport) but buy expensive components for it, or buy a more expensive hull (like a frigate) and buy cheaper components?

Honestly, it depends on how you want to play. My first group bought a Raider and stuffed it to the brim with thing that make our ship fast and manouverable. Basically, the Raider has become an amazing hit and run/boarding ship and can get away if needed. The next group bought a Frigate, and gave it some decent componants, that allows it to remain undetected for extended periods of time, so it has surprise quite often.

At the end of the day, it really depends on the group and what they envision their ship doing

first thing to do, is add a warpsbane hull. best 2sp you can spend long-term, regardless of the ships role. after that, one of the faster warp engines such as the miloslav can be a good choice.

how you spend points depends in part on how many points you have. If you focus on getting higher quality parts, then you can fit more components into the hull, which in turn costs more points- which means using a more cost-effective hull. But if you want to build a ship of a larger class, then you end up needing more points just for the hull and weapons.

basically. if i have 70sp i can either build a really impressive frigate, or a more standard light cruiser/cruiser. the former will have a ton of interesting bonuses, but the later has access to a whole different level of weaponry. which is better depends on your style of play. if your heavy combat, you take the cruiser with multiple void shields and broadsides. if your more focused on endeavor bonuses to trade, then you grab a frigate or transport and start stacking bonuses. both styles of ship can be fun to play, but they work for different types of endeavors.

Orion, Orion, Orion. It's the super-ship, if you outfit it right… and it is VERY cheap, so you definitely can outfit it right!