[rbyrd]

Once I start a game I hate to not use every means at my disposal to win. What I find helps some is to use a 2K empire file for yourself, but give the computer players 5K. There are a couple in the 1.6 mod where the computer is a little more tough, (I noticed they took away political points for other areas). Even the missile AI for some of the races in the mod is getting better.

I also use the only colonize home planet type option. Without this the first thing I would do is find a races with the other types so that I could quickly colonize all three types of worlds without spending the time on the research.

I'm still unhappy with the tactical combat. It is a problem with the move shot move system, so I am tempted to start my next game and use only strategic combat to make things a little tougher.