Are there any gameplay changes that make it more rewarding for turtle/conservative players like me?
Heh, you really need to do some research on the micro-expansion. Read some of the front page previews from Gamespot and IGN. Entrenchment is all about its namesake and giving options to those who want to defend precious planets.
There are epic starbases that can be upgraded to accomplish a variety of tasks and apparently grant bonuses depending on where they're built. Plus, hangars' construction sites are now actually important so no more just planting them in direct orbit of the planet like I always do. They can be upgraded with flak defenses so you'll want to use them to protect your other structures and fleet from strikecraft. Gauss defense cannons can be upgraded with a sniping laser that lowers some attribute of enemy ships, most likely armor. They also get short-range missile launchers that can target multiple enemies at once. The two other races will have similar upgrades for their defenses, but surely different methodologies regarding defense.
The last thing I can recall is the addition of mines, which I anticipate greatly. There's just something that fills your heart with warmth and glee imagining an all-powerful fleet of juggernaughts jumping into your system only to be pummeled by a wash of explosives.
