[raynor]

I think the most important thing to keep in mind about the AI is that it doesn't have the capability to seek out and destroy your forces and systems wherever they may be--as is present in a game, for example, such as StarCraft.

Instead, the AI slowly expands, and if you happen to get in its way, then it tries to swat you like a fly. But it is extremely easy to halt the AI's expansion into your part of the galaxy. Then, you can build up your forces at your leisure and crush the enemy if you so desire.

If you play a high bonus game and start right next to one or more AI's, then the AI is going to immediately start expanding into your home system. In that case, you are going to have a very tough time of it. On the other hand, if you start at least a couple of systems away from the enemy, your probability of success is much, much better as you might be able to prevent the AI from trying to expand into your part of the galaxy. If they don't claim one of your systems, then they won't fight over it.