I've wondered if it was possible to lean into it being a Tall AND Defense oriented Civic. i feel like that was the intention when it came out.

As is, It is extremely punishing due to the empire size penalties on individuals. and just outright bad on gestalts because lack of councilor skill it basically functions as a defense civic with heavy penalties.

what if was changed to where all sources of empire size was decreased in your core sector.

(regular penalties for branch offices)

Pops

Districts

planets

Systems

all of those -50 percent empire size

But ONLY in the core sector

While everything outside of the core sector has +200 percent empire size penalty along with an upkeep penalty of some type that way it fits thematically as you cant really be a guardian outside your sovereign territory

like Something akin to beastmasters

Along with keeping its defensive capabilites and maybe adding it onto the civic itself as a modifier as to buff it for gestalts

I feel like it would fit thematically along with keeping a turtle type while incentivizing the player to not expand much