[As usual, this was originally posted on my blog. See: http://gaming.powerblogs.com/posts/1199668185.shtml.]

I'm not just playing Race, I'm pondering it. So, let's think out loud on production versus windfall.

How much worse is a windfall world? If you are a producer/consumer, the first windfall is free. (Equivalent). It still produces. Windfall worlds tend to be cheaper than production worlds, and you get the good out one cycle faster to trade/consume. (Settle --> Trade, which is 1 or 2 turns, vs Settle-->Produce-->Trade, which is 2 or 3). If you are "pioneering" produce, dropping a windfall first make sense. The card (and time) you save will help your engine. You'll likely have 1 less VP from the card (and lose out 1-2 VP from the appropriate 6-development, should you play it), but time probably outweighs and earns you back the point.

If you are "leeching" produce the windfall world becomes a one-shot trade/consume power. You probably recoup your card investment, although trading means that you are also spend time. (Conquering a windfall means a generous return on your windfall).

Production worlds, on the other hand, are slower but better leeches, assuming you have consume powers. (For New Sparta, that's a serious issue. Of all the military worlds, only Outlaw World has a general consume power. The others have to be bought or developed).

And while a production "pioneer" gets the first windfall free, others don't produce. Are there still reasons for dropping them (for either the pioneer or leech)? So far I see:

* It's your first goods world, and you aren't sure if you are a pioneer or a leech yet. Early on, the windfall/trade route is a nice burst of cards. That alone is reason to do it. If you are looking like the production pioneer, it's especially tempting.

* Timing -- A militarist and leechers want to time the game out before the consumers really start cranking out the VPs. Windfalls, being cheaper, help the timing. This is probably the primary reason that leeches drop windfalls, beside the "burst of income."

* Conversion -- You expect to play a card that allows production on windfalls. This can be a nasty shock when production is called. Suddenly you can leech again.

* You've got a big development that will earn a bonus, making them very VP efficient. Pan Galactic League, in particular, gets a 2 VP and card bonus, making those conquered Gene windfall worlds pay off nicely.

My thoughts on this are still under flux, but that's a good starting point for discussion.