Common pitfalls

Alien Oort Cloud Refinery world and System Diversity / Largest Industry goal

Both goals can only be awarded at the end of phase III (settle). So attaining System Diversity or Largest Industry by using the ability of Alien Oort Cloud Refinery to change its type directly before game end does not work. (Note the III in the top left corner of the goal.)

Victory point pool reaching zero when playing with prestige

The victory points for prestige lead are distributed at the beginning of the round. That is after the check for game end (via depleted VP pool) at the end of the round. Thus it is even possible for the VP pool to be negative during phase choice.