This is an inexpensive and crucial early-game project
with no downside. Unlike many of the secret projects, it's equally useful in development-based
and conquest-based games. Regardless of your faction, social engineering choices
or any other factors, you definately want this project ( the only exception is
Yang, who already has its main benefit as
a faction power ). Peaceful factions want it because it provides a defense against
enemy aggression, while freeing up most of the faction's bases to pursue other
development when they'd otherwise be building perimeter defenses. Warlike factions
like it because it protects against determined counter-strikes by annoyed rivals,
while freeing up the rest of the bases to concentrate on offense.
If you're playing on a small world, or if native life
levels are abundant, build this project as soon as possible. In the first case,
you're likely to run into an annoyed opponent, and in the second you can use the
help against wild mind worms. Also, the more bases you build, the more value you
get out of this project.
The Citizen's Defense Force is least useful if your faction
is isolated and confined to a few concentrated bases, but if you're stuck in that
situation, you're probably going to have a rough time coming out on top no matter
what you do.
