Heavy Confusion Tactic UPDATED: CIH Chernobyl, then Sasser. These 2 strong viruses could pack quite a punch as the enemy's defenses are confused. Best used in a line where you have already removed their Line Overload defense.
@nau987 That's the purpose of dynamite, also you can get cheat ships with higher than maximum stats by buying the upgrades at the end of the upgrading tree.
The reason your turrets get stronger from just gold is that inside each coin contains a variable percent pure of Nithilium...Next time, try scratching a coin to see if it contains Nh.
I wish there was a ground/air based attacks mechanism, where air based attacks would do well on flying foes, but not on ground foes, and vice versa for ground based.
Last one: Scanning an unknown enemy then running away then fighting again can maximize your available turns. Repeat until there are no more unknown enemies.