Once, long ago, I did not believe in scorched earth. But in a recent string of games, I seem to get continually rushed, usually by newer players. In my last 3 games I have been attacked before turn 10. It is always bad for me, and so far it has generally turned out bad for the attacker. What I don't understand is the initial gains are usually far offset by the later losses, not to mention the fact that attackers are missing out on having a pretty good neighbor - willing to trade, never break a NAP, etc. But I cannot seem to convince the aggressors to leave my people alone early on despite the fact that these early wars are hard for either side to recover from.
So anyway, my policy now is to do everything I can to make rushers regret it and using every means to hurt the enemy including slaying pretenders, burning down labs, poisoning the water, selling off gems, calling in allies, and anything else I can think of.
Hopefully some day people will choose someone else to rush and leave me alone to research and trade in peace.
