[Rollo]

Playing 20/20/berzerker is not the only way to go in one-on-one games. But it is a tried and true strategy.
I disagree that taking religious is not worth it. I have played a few one-on-one games in the past. The two times that I took religious I was able to get the talisman in time and both times it gave me the win.
If both players agree, there are ways to force hard choices and make empires different.
a) play with 0 race points
b) play with 2000 race points, players must take one racial tech
c) play with 3000 race points, players must take two racial techs

jm2c,
Rollo