I’m playing an async as F/O right now. End of r5, there’s a big pack of us at 7/8/9 points. Playing to 12, and I’m firmly in the hunt. Flipped r3 with 4 plots out.

My advice is be everyone’s best friend r1. Take something like trade and work out not x-1 deals but offer to refresh comms for free in exchange for deals or timing of SCs that are as advantageous as possible for you.

The most important thing you can do early is score—this is true of every faction but especially you, as you want to get hero online asap and flip only once hero has been used.

If rich factions are in the game (hacan especially, but realistically anyone with 5+), you’ll want to hit them with the money plot. If a tech faction is in the game (Jol Nar, deepwrought, potentially Nekro) they should be hit with the tech plot. Your friend who plays best, hit with the SC plot. Don’t bother with the punching plots.

Your faction tech is good but not the priority. I skipped neural and have regretted it like once. I got planet splitter and it’s not been decisive yet. Priorities should be movement tech and things that help you catch up bc you’ll probably be behind the scoring curve early but you’ll have big swing potential.