I think the ship count info gives to much away. Can we remove the count, and just leave the points?

For an extreme example, if a system with no beholders in it says 400 points but 1 ship, I'll play considerably differently than I would if it said 400 points and 8 ships. Thus this extra information is affecting strategic and tactical play when it probably shouldn't.

Good point. And one made some time ago as well. Back when things like jumping weren't working

yes... it gives the 2nd and 3rd person jumping in an edge where they already have 1. the 2nd person can always jump in with a bigger force to start off with, they don't need to know what to expect as well.

--on another note, the lockdown drone says it locks everyone else out for 2 turns or so, and then everyone including the person who fired it is locked out...

please tell me this is just an error in the text, because if it isn't, there is a seriously wrong strategic point here... in that you could jump in, fire lockdown drone, then get in as many ships as possible and no one could do anything about it... should be other way around. if person wants to lock it down, there needs to be a risk that they do this same thing to them.

oh, and this has to do with this thread because it all involves points... if I know the enemy has 1 ship, I know just what to bring in and lock it down before they even know what's happening.

Yes an error in the text. It locks you from jumping in more for 2 turns, and then everyone else.