I only play the gravship start, it's the Rimworld experience I've always wanted. When I try for a more difficult run than Strive to Survive (custom setup, threat scale at 115% and research at 80%), I have almost always wiped right as I transition into Hi-tech Research Bench technologies. Every time this has been an "early" raid within 24 hours of landing on a new tile. My first priority upon landing is walling in the gravship and creating rudimentary kill boxes. If I have enough time to complete this, usually a bit over 24 hours, I'm fine. But, if I get a nasty raid before then, I often lose everyone.
For example, the last run ended right as I unlocked Hi-tech Research Bench. I had 7 pawns,

