Gandalph -vs- Slynky 2405.1
(I figured a map might make it more interesting, so...)
Orange is Slynky and green is Gandalph.
Starting fairly close to each other, I tried to cut his exploration and colonizing off down through points
1 and
2. This was unsuccessful as shared points
1 and
2 early in the game.
With significant events ocurring around turn 40 (or so), I took control of point
1 while he took control of point
2.
But not without harmful effects. Gandalph lost a significant part of his fleet in his bid to take control (and glass planets) at point
1. I was able to take good control of that system by doubling back my fleet and killing the rest of his fleet.
Meanwhile, he wiped me like a raw booger at point
2. I had to scramble to prevent any further incursions northward from that point.
While all this was going on, I kept up my exploration/colonizing efforts. This gave me a good share of the galaxy (you can see by the map).
Not sure Gandalph's frame of mine but he seemed to let the areas we fought in stay the way they were and make an effort to expand to the west (toward point
3). We shared some systems there (2) and he had a fleet with several warships and "full mine-sweeping" capabilities moving with his MANY colony ships. But I was already entrenched enough to defend the first planet he attacked (point
3). His warships were killed attacking a planet with 5 platforms. (I think he had bad luck in movement as his ships moved into range of MY platforms but not in range of his weapons AND, I hit 100%). This left about 8 colony ships and 5 sweepers without a guard...so they are huddling over a planet of his (that I assume have mines).
In another area, I captured a colony ship of his and moved his breathers to a juicy planet of mine that was converted from 6 facs to 30 facs (142% minerals!).
In the most recent turns, I have begun an assualt on his planets into point
2.
For the first time in the game, I have become more relaxed and feel more confident. With over 100k research and 70 (superior, I think) ships, I think a victory might be waiting for me. Of course, ANY good player should be wary of a "killer" fleet that could show up at any turn.
The whole game, BTW, has only had DUCs (and a few missiles) for ship weapons. In fact, I just now upgraded to DUC 5s! (A much different game than I played with Mark the Merciful).