Slynky -vs- Gandalph: 2407.9
(standard KOTH start with exception of GOOD starting homeworld)
Well, Gandalph, I posted my score if you have any curiosity. And, of course, I'll give my take on the game.
I think we both got adequate planets/systems near our home worlds. But after expansion to systems 2 or 3 away, your selection deteriorated. Also, I tried to "lock" you in on the right side and limit your ability to roam and colonize. Somewhat successful as we shared some systems in that area and each allocated some warships to guard/defend/attack those shared areas. But I was more able to colonize to the north (and on around the "center") without worry. Ultimately, that made the difference, I think, because you led the game for many many turns. Also, you had LCs when I was building DEs. So, I defended, mostly, while I expanded and, as I see it, you had to fight a bit to expand.
Luck plays an important part in games sometimes. Over all, I think my homeworld location was better and I was lucky that you attacked my planet with your fleet of sweepers and warships when you were expanding to the west at the bottom of the map. Losing your colony escorts left you with 9 (or so) colony ships that couldn't move without safety. Capturing one of yours with a full cargo of breathers was lucky. Lucky I had a huge rich mineral planet to convert to your breathers.
And sometimes, you help make your own luck. I had 2 stealth ships watching your moves in strategic areas that you never seemed to notice.
Looking forward to meeting me again? I always welcome a good game with a good player. And given a more even map layout, I think I would probably lose. I think I said it somewhere before: I'm not "KOTH" material and I'll never get there unless I have a lucky planet start. (So, I wouldn't necessarily abandon your expansion idea just yet).
Thanks for a good game. As I have also said, KOTH thrills me the most!
PS: My colony count is 88 because I sneaked Ice tech in there several turns back and 21 top-of-the-line cruisers would come off the line in the upcoming turn)