Proportions and Facilities

[oleg]

Originally posted by PvK:
So, the standard set tactic of sprawl and conquer still pays off, but the rate of payoff is a couple of orders of magnitude (or more) slower, and there are less efficient alternatives in intensive development, so a small isolationist or neutral can continue to develop as well. Also, of course, a larger empire is more difficult to protect, etc.

PvK

Yes, indeed. In Last game I over expanded myself and got into war with two AIs on medium bonus. Both fronts were 2-3 systems away from homeworld and I simply could not pay maintanance for two big fleets. Fortunately (well, unfortunately in fact) AI can not defend effectively against swarms of fighters or I would have to abandom few planets.