I believe calling the AI sucks is a little to harsh, especially compared to some other games that have been out for a while. The AI has some good starting points. I have noticed that it does adapt to weapons decently on Int., and it expands throughout the galaxy in the beginning of the game effectively. Could be improved on utilizing planets, but not that bad. Here is a list that I feel the AI could improve.
1. Scouting. In the biggining of the game the Ai scouts planets in a effective way. But later on in the game a smart the AI does noy effectively scout opponents, because the scouting ships are only good in at exploring planets. While a human would fill a cargo hull full of sensors and make it so fast that the Ai would have a hard time attacking it.
2. With the use of cargo sensor ships it is easy to counter troop ships that are trying to invade our planets, I feel that the computer should value his transport ships as much or more than his planets, because they are going into enemy ter. and they don't have any defenses, were a planet you still have to kill the habitants.
3. Computer makes to may uber weak units in the game in the beg.
4.computer doesn't utilize speed enough, which is important on bigger maps. Speed usually lets you avoid the enemy or strike first. it is also important in far away operations, because if you need them back in a hurry tou can do so quickly.
5. Computer should be more aggressive. Try to attack first unless the odds are way to against them then they should avoid and try creat a flleet.
I hope this helps.
P.S. Great Game
