I don't know if this is a bug but, the Dread Lords appear to be cheaped out.  My custom race is the strongest race in the Galaxy and tech wise I should be the only race capable of producing a threat towards the Dread Lords. 

They appeared on the opposite quadrant of the galaxy and not wanting to go to war with the other races in the game I figured I leave the Dread Lords tear the other races apart.  After a few turns I saw that they were indeed progressing as you would expect and had taken over 5 planets in almost no time.  I thought good my plan is going well, I'll keep let them growing, my ships were beating the Dread Lords ships when they attacked my random very powerful survey vessals I created.  I will take them on once they eliminate or weaken greatly my other apponants.

Then it happened, The Dread Lords lost all the planets they took, were trapped back in their origional planet and were being defeated by swarms of other races ships that should in theory pose no threat.  the strongest fleet attacking was an 50, 0, 0 attack and 0, 30, 0 defense against their monster ships 0,0,400 attack and minimal defenses.  Now I know the math pulls that it is possible they take the 50 damage from the fleet, however, in all reality this should be no compitition.

I thought the Dread Lords were supose to be feared, this is not feared this is a little more threat than any other minor race but, with a punch.  I think they should be stronger to defeat that and all there planets are stuck at 20 mil which means almost any invading force has no problem taking them on.

Thanks for your thoughts and if it is a bug making The Dread Lords strong again.