Baalz' good player pledge

[Gregstrom]

I think NvV's idea of alternates has a lot going for it, too.

[statttis]

once you are behind you have little chance.

I think this attitude is the real problem. Too often players will go AI after any setback when they still have an excellent chance of winning. Being behind doesn't mean as much as most people think. Get a surprise victory and a new ally and you can go from irrelevant to major player in just a few turns.