Here follow the dome placements, as I see them best.
Please note 2 things.
1) You might find me saying "Manyshots" a few times. With this I mean colonies that can make at least 5 Solar shots per burst, but most of the time I'll only consider 7 or more shots. Colonies that can make this are Mountains, Rockies and Arctics (these last ones almost only on Classic Homeworlds, though). Colonies with Strip Mining would qualify as Manyshots as well, but seeing you can't predict research, I wouldn't take the risk.
2) You'll see green and yellow dots/lines in a few of the pictures. Green stands for Laser Cannons, while yellow dots represent Cluster Mines.
1. The Winding Road
I don't think there's much to comment on here. Anywhere else would be just silly.
2. The Wheel
This placement is only slightly better than anywhere else, 'cause the invader would need to remove a few more cannons. Other than that there's not many placements that you can go wrong with here, save for the exits of the warp corridors.
3. The Pierced Heart
Ewl. I really don't like this layout. It doesn't matter much where you'll place the dome, but unless you're going to place it right next to the Landing Zone, the invader will need to take out all turrets. The Solar here is pretty useless, only when you place the dome at the top will it do some damage, but rarely enough to pose a threat.
4. Layers
Another layout I'm not too fond of. It's rather easy to invade, however the invader has to make a relatively lot of turns, which is good for multiple Solar shots. The blue spot is quite dangerous with 9/10-shot, though, but it's easily distracted with a second invader. Still not easy to take, I've noticed.
5. 3-way Maze
This is one of the better layouts, in my opinion. No thanks to the Landing Zone, but due to the corridors that pass very close to the dome.
I wouldn't doubt for a second about this placement.
6. Chambers
Not much to say here. Lot of distance for the Solar to fire away, and a lot of cannons in front of dome. Easy choice.
7. Smiley!
This layout is so-so, it has a ring which will kill off most 'newbies' but rings are easy for the experienced invaders. I'd say the only good placement would be at the red space, so that you can cramp that 'corner' with lasers/mines.
Alternatively, as with all Ring-types, you can build the dome into the ring.
8. Curvy Passages
If it's a many-shot, I'd place it at red. Even if it's only an Earthlike I'd probably do that, but I can see why people would place it at blue...
9. Cloverleaf
Only thing against this placement is that it's easily distracted. Otherwise it's pure pwnage.
10. More Chambers
Oi, another lame one! Can't go wrong here (or should I say "can't go right"?)
Go for the top placement if it's a manyshot, otherwise I'd go with the red one.
11. Peace Maze
Go for the red one if it's a manyshot, otherwise go for blue.
Not a great layout...
12. Plenty of Room
Hmmm... Manyshots go red, lowshots go blue.
A thing to keep in mind though, is that invaders will be able to warp out from both placements, as the Solar cannon's range won't make the bottom left of this layout.
13. Vulture Head
I'd always go red with Manyshots, but some might also go for blue with those, red is so easily distracted.
Blue is good for building the dome into the ring, though.
14. The Worm
Ah the Worm. I very much like this layout for Manyshots, but with lowshots they're also quite good, because the invader is pretty much forced to use 200-250 nukes on this.
15. The Spiral Maze
Definitely in my top3. If you place the dome correctly, you can fit 2 cannons next to it so those two cannons will distract for the cannons in the corridor.
If you want to make sure you're placing the dome right, bring 2 mines and place them at the corners before placing the dome.
16. Headphones
I myself prefer the red placement, but as this is easily distracted I can also imagine people placing it at blue. It's even a little harder to nuke the last few cannons, and it's harder to go for the dome at full speed.
17. Loops
A recent discovery of mine, red is a VERY nice placement for 7+ Solar shots, simply because they have to pass the Solar cannon real close before even firing a nuke.
Place alot of C-Mines (but I don't recommend more than 50%) in the 1-square-wide corridors for extra fun!
If the colony isn't a Manyshot, however, blue is a better choice. The layout's value decreases significantly in that case, though.
18. Islands
I remember liking this layout in the past, though nowadays, mostly after I learned to 'domeslide' it's lost it's value. Just place the dome at red, and make sure you have C-Mines available.
19. Maze of Bigness
Ooooh the Treasure of the Classic Homeworlds... I learned how good this layout is on that server. If the colony can maintain 5 Solar shots or more, place it a red. If you don't, please tell me and I'll come slap you in the face.
If it's less than 5, you can still place it there and it's still not bad, but building the dome into the ring (like #13) would be better, I think.
20. Telltale Heart
Meh. Place it at red. Or blue. Nah, just don't build it at all.
Seriously though, red is your best bet, in my opinion.
21. Superwide
The famous Superwide!
Red can be very effective, as you can then cramp all the lasers around the Landing Zone, however if you've invaded as much as me, taking out lasers around the dome is easier than stealing candy from NPCs.
That's why I believe either of the blue placements is quite good as well, but -ONLY- do that if it's a Manyshot. I'd go for the left one.
22. Diamond Passages
Oh no, no no no! Only go there if there's no threat in the area, meaning there's noone around with 200 or more nukes. Even if that's the case, I wouldn't keep my Weapons Factory on here.
If I had to choose, I'd pick the bottom-left one, but that could also be because my very first colony (ever) was placed there.
23. Long Island
Not my favourite layout, to put it nicely. An upside is that it'll take at least 300 nukes (if you place turrets correctly) but other than that it's an easy layout to invade.
Go for the middle one if you can't choose, or for the left one on Manyshots.
24. Beehive
Not a great layout, but it's a ringtype so what did you expect?
Go for red, no question asked.
25. Antennae
Go for blue if it's a low Solar colony, otherwise consider taking red.
26. Diamond Maze
See #22, Diamond Passages.
27. Three Way
This one I like. Not too much, just a little.
It's very good that the Solar is shooting at point blank right away. In other words, can't go wrong with red.
28. Coral Island
Don't like this one much either... Go for blue, or build it into the ring....
29. Shrimp
I almost always go for red, but if it's a Manyshot, consider blue as well, as it puts more distance between the Landing Zone and the dome.
30. EerieBear
Uhm, where to place the dome here... Downleft uses alot of nukes, as does downright. And the top3 are pretty much the same.
I'd go for the top one or the downright one with Manyshots, and for the rest; that's up to you.
DONE! for now, at least... I'ma go walk my dogs and get some sleep.. Read ya later!
