[Baalz]

This is why I like guides like this, even when you're experienced with a race it's eye opening to see how other people play them well. Just like I haven't yet really worked an effective big army land game yet(never thought to use darkness and really big buffs for the lobo guards) I think you'd be surprised with how effective a teleportation offensive can be, I've deployed it very effectively against some good opponents. The thing you have to keep in mind is you're not trying to drop an overwhelming force on a well prepared opponent, you're waiting on an opportunity to hit somebody when they'll have a hard time responding effectively (I really like the submarine analogy). The beauty of it is you can drop on absolutely anybody at their weakest moment. Don't get me wrong, it's certainly better if your opportunity comes along your long coast but there is almost always (on large games) a war going on somewhere which will be quickly decided if you jump into the fray and if you play your cards right you not only gain several lightly defended territories, you also make an ally who goes on to finish your mutual enemy and make sure he never does take those territories back. Teleportation and Gateway I find are surprisingly economical, you shouldn't have a problem dropping 10-20 starspawn for an initial attack (2-3 per province, make sure you target just PD), then several (plus an army or two gatewaying) every turn thereafter. I find astral pearls are seldom the limiting factor when I do this unless I'm also trying to aggressively Mind Hunt at the same time.