Hello, Stardock Team!! I'm a first-time poster here, and I have an idea I'd like to run up the proverbial flagpole. 

First, I have to say that I like this game quite a bit. It has nicely filled the hole in my gaming library where Master of Magic used to be. I'll stick by you folks however the game turns out.

OK, now that I've got that out of the way, here's my idea: Shard Guardian Boss units. I can only explain this in terms of other games I've played, so please bear with me here...

I remember in Master of Orion, when you found the Game-changing Orion system, it was protected by an incredibly advanced Boss unit called the Guardian. I figured this was to protect the technology you got as a reward for colonizing it from unbalancing the game too early. Right now I find that gaining control of the various Shards is a relatively simple task. Find shard, start city, build shrine, presto!

The mana nodes in Master of Magic were always guarded by some pretty tough units, making their acquisition no simple task. The rewards you gain for having those shards should be tied to a little more risk, I feel. Perhaps specific elemental guardians? Shard beasts? They could be made of crystal, I don't know. Something moderately challenging and unique to the shard you are trying to win.

Anyway, that's my idea. Let's see if anyone salutes. Thanks!!