[raynor]

...what Daynarr said. You can easily conquer the neutrals and typically get a free colonization tech. Plus, you get colonists who breathe a different atmosphere. Both of these are tremendous aids to early expansion.

I don't use missile weapons at all but I do use Phased Energy Weapons. I've found that the Phased Plasma V beam does similar damage to the Anti Proton Beam XII (against Phased Shields) but only costs 1/10th as much to research. I am inclined to voluntarily restrict myself from using this tech when I want a challenging game.

In the beginning of the game, I use a lot of fighters. Fighters are great because they don't effect your score. This means you can build up an extremely formidable armada without triggering MEE. I'm thinking of altering my strategy away from using fighters to increase the challenge.

Of course, don't use mines. Also, don't use Stellar Manipulation ships at all. Also, don't use Ship Capture.

Do you remember how you had to defend your colonies in MOO2 or the AI would sense your weakness, declare war and send its fleet over to attack? Well, in SEIV, the AI absolutely ignores you until you become MEE.
This means you can essentially ignore defence until you accidentally (and rarely) infuriate the AI and earn its wrath.

Most of the time, it is extremely easy to maintain peaceful relations with every empire in the galaxy right up until you become MEE. I'm trying to get the AI gurus to help me modifiy the AI files so they declare war when your score is less than half theirs.

You might bite the bullet and play all your battles in strategic, and see if that makes it more challenging. I haven't tried that yet.

Have you seen the option that says: All computer players vs. all human players? I have been afraid to try that one. Maybe try playing a game and not accepting any treaties from any of the AI players?