Play balance issues in GC RT

I`d like to invite ppl to discuss play balance issues in an attempt to improve the game. One issue I would like to raise is the inability of kho shields to "stack", to become stronger with multiple applications. Granted, if Kho shields were able to "stack" then there should be an artifact designed specifically to reduce Kho shield strength (and then to eliminate the shield). Also, Kho shields should not deactivate positive uses, only negative ones. The game would be more interesting if this added dimension were added to play. As it is now, artifacts are useless in the attack unless one is very lucky, yet most artifacts are negative. As a result ( I may be wrong) artifacts are only used to make minor gordo`s (to enhance the size of planets). While useful that`s pretty much one dimensional play for a concept that was obviously intended for more. If Kho shields were allowed to stack, deadlier artifacts could be used to attack population, ore etc. All one needed to do to avoid a deadly bombardment would be to stack kho shields. As a final note, artifacts used to make kho shields should be stronger than any hypothetical artifact used to take them out.