[thejeff]

I've never played with it, but I think what llamabeast was saying, is that you can start with Impossible AIs but use map commands to change both the scales and the actual pretender.

Thus they still get the Impossible AI bonuses and intelligent design.

I've never tried, because I agree that impossible AIs provide sufficient challenge in the early/mid game and the micromanagement makes me give up before the late game anyway.