[dogscoff]

The Question is what mod to play? I want to play the most advanced mod with the best ai. Which one would you mod veterans say I should try?

I would also say Proportions, but you should bear in mind that me, Aloofi and Oleg make up the unnofficial Proportions Promotion Council.

Simply put, it transforms the gameplay completely. Instead of racing to colonise as many bland and identical worlds as possible, build up a massive economy and mechanically steamroll the opposition, you colonise sparsely and strategically, developping unique and interesting colonies. The non-military aspect of empire-building is enhanced, and so there is all the more motivation to defend your empire when war breaks out.