Have you ever been beat by the AI?

[Stone Mill]

Master Belisarius hit the nail on the head.

Play with his suggestions, the critical factor being small galaxy , and if you get poor positioning, and bad luck, oh yes, you will lose, no matter who you are.

As you send your first scout/colony through the first warp point, you bump into some 5000 point souped-up warlike race (even the Krill will do this consistently), they will immediately proceed to scorch your single planet homeworld... and there is little you can do.

With the High AI bunus they will be pumping out LCs before you get to Mines or Ship Construction 2.

It's all about the settings... I often used to handicap myself as much as possible, and surprisingly enough, I've pulled out victories. But I would venture to say that people who have not lost have not set a real handicap for themselves.

I will admit, however, that my losses to the AI are in the opening stages and are due to poor starting position. In the long run, I agree, the AI can't compete.

While we are on the AI thing, I find that the Romulan race continues to be a VERY tough competitor in Team mode... it beats the heck out of its neighbors and expands quickly. By the time I meet them they give a surprisingly tough fight. Kudos to their creator.