High self-esteem.

The only must-have weapon technology in engineering is turrets for destroying missiles, torpedoes, and fighters. Lasers can't be used to shoot down such turrets. And you're looking at lasers, not energy spears.

No, it's a bad way to win, although it does work in general - you attack an enemy empire, but instead of demanding that they give you their planets, you demand that they liberate them, you win, the liberated planets create a state that is completely loyal to you, you make them your vassals, and then you integrate them into your empire. American-style democracy.

The war in the game turned out to be somewhat boring overall.