My strategy for the Federation is to advance up the techtree as fast as I can, and build ships with large crews for troop transports, while guarding them with a fleet of Exelsior2's and Defiants and Ventures. I then take over enemy construction ships and use the technological gain from them to build enemy superweapons and obliterate their bases.   The reason I use the Feds for this strategy is 1 reason: Descent Classes. It's pretty much a mobile Starbase. If anyone can help me with this strategy, do so.