[Arkcon]

Originally posted by capnq:
Neutrals also always spend 0 racial points, regardless of what starting points new players get from the Game Set-Up, so all their characteristics are Average, and they never have Advanced Traits.

Someting worthwhile IMHO is giving them a racial tech. For example, the Nutolh (sp?) Group's description says their eyes can see a wide spectrum. Maybe they could start the game with a racial tech only sensor that can see everything. Then they'd be a partner you'd want to keep alive as a buffer zone.

How to keep the AI on friendly terms is difficult though. But at least now you have a reason to try.

I can't think of one for each neutral race. The Zynarra Holdings having some sort of freeze ray, I dunno that's kinda dumb, and you couldn't really profit from that.

The Tetrak Hedgemony( those Oxy Ice herd sapients) might have some extra tough troops maybe, and you could try to trade for a transport full of them.

I suppose if trading with the AI were more reliable, keeping them alive would be more useful. As it stands now, if they like you they'll trade colonization tech for DUC 5, but if the don't they won't even accept a tribute of 2 colonization techs, a planet, star charts, 100000 resources.