[Puke]

i like it better without research. its still fairly easy, since you can adapt to the technology and the AI cant, but it is a whole new approach to the game. i find that you need at least two escorts to shoot down one drone.

also, i never use anti-planet drones. i use a single anti ship drone to trip any planetary defenses, then i use drone carriers to screen my troop ships when invading planets.

you are right about the difficulty level though, once you have about 1/4th of the map, its just a big mop up operation. perhaps the AI bonus should be higher, or perhaps the AI should get level 2 or level 3 technology instead of level 1. of course you could then trade with them for it, making it a moot point. maybe the game should be set to team mode, so that its MEE from the start. the second half would be the same, but the beginning would be tougher.