[Rathar]

Ok esoteric stuff I have leaned in a year of this..

Mines do not stop a fleet from moving if they have sufficient sweeping capabilities. They do stop fleets without such but this may be merely due to engine damage.

Even if you have class 4 sensors of any type in a given system and your enemy warps into said system onto a planet of yours (Assuming it met no interference), that planet will not fire upon the ships (although it will suffer blockade) until it has at least 1 unit in space above it.

Please do note that in no way am I implying that mines are skippable with cloaking. They are the best sensor that exists.

If fighting a crystalline opponent, pay extra special attention to how crstalline armor works. (page 1 or 2 of this thread) All I can suggest is to use REALLY REALLY BIG guns. Shield depleters followed by the largest thing you can muster seem to work the best. Toss in engine destructors and battle warpers and you have a chance.

This advice is also oddly useful for fighting races with the talisman. Your ships are likely not to get second shots anyways, hope to blow them up instantly.

If they have both abilities, you are in trouble, follow same advice but...