I have a VERY tough time in AIC game (low AI bonus, no warp points) against Ukra-Tal. At turn ~150, My empire (two systems) can support no more than 20 destroyers. Ukra-Tal regulary sends fleet of 15-20 ships to my system. They have better tech, and with all hidden AI bonuses, I can barely fight back. Ukra-Tal builds a lot of ships with seeking parasites and use them en mass. Whatever I do, I lose ships in every battle and can not build them as fast as AI
I swithed to fighters (i use "tactical fighters only" option)- no goog, AI has to-hit bonuses and pulverize my fighters.
True war of attrition
In desperation I decided to use drones. Normal drones with warheads proved to be a disaster - to kill 20 ships I need to use 30+ drones due to PDC fire.
And now I use old trick - instead of warheads, I put seeking parasites ot them ! The idea is that my drones will buzz around Ukra-Tall ships and overpower PD fire ! Since drones can not be targeted by missiles, the dreaded Ukra-Tall' SP will be useless
And yes, indeed !! Next battle and 3 small trasports with 5 drones each completely annihilated an enemy fleet with 18 ships
They even have enough fuel to attack second, smaller fleet before expire. It turned the war around - I can afford a lot non-maintatence drones ! Hurra ! But all was well till I was abushed by a fleet with Carriers. Those pesky fighters makes a short work of my drones
Still, they managed to cripple enemy. Now I researche medium drones and put point defence beams to shoot fightrs.
Drones practically saved my empire. I now love them !!
And now the bug : First I used "maximum weapons range" for drones with missiles. It works fine in simulator, but in the real battles, drones fire only ONCE and then run away !
I switched to "optimal firing range" and drones behaved nicely. Apparently, once drones get into "do not get hurt" movement - secondary movement in "max. range", they get stucked and do not go back despite having missiles recharged. Very odd.