[Phoenix-D]

"And what's with poisoning the population? Maybe this seems horrific to a human player -- but does it really dent production? Ditto for destroying one facility or damageing conditions or planet value."

Yes, it does. It also makes planets easier to invade/kill off. Knocking out one facility can be critical if that facility is, say, a Robotroid Factory. Conditions doesn't do a whole lot, but the hurt from planet value drops should be obvious- less of that resource can be produced there.

Phoenix-D