I've never played this game against a human and I'm sure I'd get my butt beat a few times before I learned the ropes.
In other games where I've played pbem it always amazes me how different humans play as opposed to the AI.
In my latest game I think I'll drag it out so the computer gets bigger and more powerful fleets to give some of my tactics a serious try.
One problem I have tho is unless I choose a warlike race my people are always getting unhappy when I defeat an invading fleet. Even with religous facilities or urban pacification centers.
Stupid ingrates!
