[Commander G2]

You really must look at the file HAPPINES.TXT to see what the modifiers are for a neutral race. Only two diplimatic changes help a neutral: Breaking a treating or non intercourse. All other status give you a negative hit. A neutral player should always establish non intercourse before something like Trade and Research. What ever you do, do not increment your status one stage at a time: Trade, Trade & REs, Mil Alliance, Partnership.

Neutrals have a natural recovery rate higher than other races. The are as someone said, Xenophobic when you look at what you should not do. Even winning battles makes Neutrals unhappy while it makes peaceful races happy. Neutral is better in a game with very vew players. Large games (many races), favor the other two heavily.

If you play neutral, you should consider researching troops and psychology right away to get some positive modifers.