exotics

You can build a factory with the right techs. You can also uncover exotics on your planets if you invest in them (I always go the research route to get the factory because it's predictable).

Keep in mind this is a Tech Preview. The point is to make sure the new engine works on people's computers. We also want to start getting some feedback on some of the new mechanics (like orbiting planets).

Outside of that disclaimer I know the team has been talking about what to do if you lose your initial free capital ship. At the very least I know we need a warning "Your capital ship is taking heavy damage" so that you can have an opportunity to pull it out of battle before it died if you rushed into somewhere dangerous and weren't paying attention.

Beyond that, I'm not sure what the solution for an early capital ship loss will be. At the current balance levels it feels (to me) like its basically game over. In my opinion (note I am not a designers on this game, it's Ironclad's call) being able to rebuild an expensive but not blocked new capital ship ONLY if you don't currently have one seems fair. How expensive is the problem, to cheap and people will just cannonball their capital ship to start the next one, to expensive and its the same problem we have now.

Or maybe it will force the player into a divergent strategy which is also workable, like getting all those logistics back allows them to build a mass of smaller ships which are almost as effective?

Either way, it is definitely something we want to iterate on as we move forward.

if you click on exotics tab you can buy them, also if you click escavations on your planets it gives you exotics

i haven't found the way to buy it, thanks for all replies

... you know this is an RTS, right?

The gameplay loop is use your initial army to increase your economy to increase your army to destroy your opponent.

When a player destroys another's army, they should be advantaged and rewarded for that action. There absolutely should not be a mechanic that ameliorates the destroy opponent part of the gameplay loop, or else the match will stagnate and be pointless.

The solution to the PIBKAC "problem" of Early Capital Ship loss is play better.

Another thing I have noticed since I have played this now twice all the way to win, one on easy and one on hard.  The higher the level you start the game (Easy, Medium, Hard, Unfair, Nightmare) the more change you will find random exotics, be offered exotics by the neutral players or find them in the loot.  

As far as losing your free CAP, all I can say is watch those Javelins, they are WAY more powerful this go around which is why you need more research to get them.  They can easily take out a lone CAP if you are not escorted by Garda's that can now shoot down those missiles.  I personally think this is a great change to this system and gives both the Javelins and Garda's new life and mission in how I use them.