Typical game
 

This is how my typical game seems to go...

Medium Galaxy, high tech cost, many opponents, hard opponents, computer bonus high and 5000 racial points.

1. I start colonize all green planets. Few escort with capital missiles (beats **** out even computers light cruiser by over moving it) I never make domed colonies.

2. I focus on research everywhere
3. I make 'gift class' escort with no weapons to trade with computers.

4. Expand, expand, expand. Finally i die because of micromanagement. I refuse use moron ministers

Points: I don't need fleets, bases, mines or any other military. Computer just loves me. Finally i'm with partnership with everybody except those 'always war' races. I got double of tech levels than everyone else. Universe is full of 'enemy' ships

Conclusion: Game is great but...too many planets to fight with hard computer. Computer colonizes all it can, and i must too but...too many colonies to build, to protect, to optimize

------------------
Suomi on paras!

Re: Typical game
 

Agree with you that the basic AI is weak, but, there are a couple of things you can do, including not taking advantage of the AI in diplomacy.

Try this for a change. Modify your SystemType file so that systems only have between 2 and 5 planets each. Make point defence available at game start. Then see what sort of game you get. Some of mine have been quite challenging.
Also, are you playing with Mephistos mod and the modified AI files? If not, check out the mods archive section....
Happy gaming.