[DavidG]

The problem, if there is one, is that the racial setup #'s make a much bigger difference than you'd think. ie +10% maintanence value makes you much more than %10 better than average. Also +25% agressive can make you much more that 25% better than average. Those that don't understand this (like me not so long ago) will be easy prey.

They other problem is that you very quickly get the max in all combat techs. (ie ECMIII, SensorsIII, PPB V, PD V) if there were say 10 levels of ECM it would give a big boost to a science race. This is the way I used to play MOO2. Your ships can't hit as well be you overcome that by them being technically more advanced. If you get this advantage in SE4 it is very short lived.

OF course the beauty of SE4 is all this stuff is moddable.