First base is always crowded with scientists, still the advance it's substantially slower than the advance at genius level.
I never take down very large ships, they're the main source of elerium, at least the first ones without the damned ethereals (getting tired of saying this). What's more annoying in these is that they start appearing when I don't have a fast transporter yet, and the skyranger just makes me throw the computer through the window, by the time it arrives at the location, the ufo already landed and lifted off a few hundred times.
Never got crafts damaged (mainly cause I don't take down very large ships)
I'll think about the lasers, but I think I'll give it a try at the hardest level again using plasmas. It's been quite some years since I played this one (exception made this last week, but playing in 4th level), maybe other strategy games sharpened some areas
On a personal note, I expect nothing else but to be humilliated, any other result will be a victory, such as managing to build and mantain a 3rd base for the very first time :bleh: