Started a new game a few weeks ago. Made sure to delete the 1899 campaign to help with performance, makes a big difference.
I generally stay in my home system for 20-25 years, just setting up mines, infrastructure, research, etc. Then, start exploring enmasse.
Robots like to blow up my scouts, but clearing them out isn't too difficult with decent tech.
NPR's dont seem to be as much of a threat as they used to be, I think they run out of critical minerals and just stagnate. They are always so far behind. The biggest threat they pose is launching massive waves of AMM salvoes. They only thing they ever seem to send out of their home system is survey ships.
Keeping the economy going with near constant mineral shortages is a problem. Fuel is not a problem with a decent sorium source in the home system. Just build more harvesters. Mostly having fun with different ship designs. Playing with different size missiles and reload rates, etc. The missile engine dynamic makes missile design much more tedious, but it is flexible which is nice.
So far, Ive conquered two NPR homeworlds, now looking for others to absorb into the Empire.