I'm rather new to this game. I have the Alterian Expansion kit, also. I was wondering, what does the planet quality bonus (when setting up a new civ game) do for you? I've tried with none and the two bonus options and I don't see a difference. Can someone explain how that bonus helps? Is it worth getting? and why/why not? Does planet quality improve over time even without the upgrades (soil enhancement/habitat improvement)?
Yeah, I agree with Walldorf2000 - it's good bonus, altough on higher difficulty levels free research and production points + additional speed for your ships are imo better options.
Still, you can boost your PQ by planetary improvements like soil enhancement, habitat improvement or terraforming - there's also one powerful Galactic Wonder that boosts up PQ of your every planet by AT LEAST 1 CLASS - The Terraformer, but it's avaible usually at the end of the game, after researching Evolution Control ( altough on the higher difficulty levels AI may get it before you - on the lower, you should be always first ).