its hard to balance a game so that the stronger players ARE stronger and the newer players CAN grow.
As it is, the game is reasonable at the present time, however most new players don't give a 'reasonable' effort to learn how to play properly, nor have the consistency to do so.
the phalanx is not all powerful, if there is a moon involved in the mission then the phalanx does not see it. 95% of players would tell you if asked 'how can i protect my fleet?'.
That moon DOESN'T have to be your own, it can be an inactive's moon, also if you want a moon, leave a moonshot on your planet and let the resoruces build up, someone will take you up on the offer sooner or later.
As for the few that won't, those are the silent people, usually even jerky players will give reasonable advice if they are given a little respect.
If you are rude to a larger player, their response will not be to back off, it will be to crush you ... i think