[HAL]

So over the weekend I started a new game. To
add a bit to the challenge, I set my homeworld up as Ice/Methane. Medium number of players in a large universe. Bought organic tech since I had never tried it.

No major problems, but the lack of good planets forces me to expand into quickly. My position rises to 3rd and then tumbles to 7th. I then stumble into the 2nd place computer player who hates me. My meager empire falls farther behind the leaders, but I manage to claw my way into 5th. I fighting continual warp point battles with the 2nd place player who is now 4X my size. Luckily, I share only one contact point. I tried to break into his system; however, I hit a heavy mine field. I fall back, but he is sending waves of ships. In desperation, I start using missile dance tactics, but the force advantage is too much. He manages to find another WP on the other side of my empire. It was looking very grim.

I decided to go for mines. I have never used mines before, but I don't see any other way. I develop mines and build my first mine layer. I spend numerous turns trying to deploy mines. I remember from SE III that I need to build them, but I can't figure it out. I become frantic, then slap myself in the head realizing that I have to design the mines. Duh!

I am still playing the game. I am out numbered and trapped in a corner. The computer is sweeping my minefields and pushing through with bigger ships. I now have gas giant colonization, but I don't know if I have enough time to reach paraity with the computer.

I believe people who complain about the AI are taking all the advantages against it. It will be interesting to see if I can turn it around.


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I'm sorry Dave, I'm afraid I can't do that.