By the time I usually encounter the AI, they never seem use any size below Cruiser. They also use a whole lot of Carriers. Is there any way I can force them to use smaller ships?
In the AI file settings.txt (found in the default AI directory or individual race directories) there is settings for the maximum ship size from the beginning of a game. You can change the values to whatever you want...
Just research boarding parties instead. Capture a few AI ships in tactical combat, then you can analyse them and have that cruiser / carrier tech for yourself=-)
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"Pinky, are you pondering what I'm pondering?"
"Uh, I think so, Brain, but balancing a family and a career ... oooh, it's all too much for me. "