I'm playing at 'normal' level as the Terrans (my third game) and have run into the Iconians - being a nice fellow with no desire for war I chose to try and use influence to win their border planets over. In two places we shared a system and there I laid down three influence starbases each, fully loaded with 200+ influence points. On each world I put two embassies. Yet still their influence zone is expanding and it's my planets who are in danger of defecting. What could these guys have going for them that is that strong?
pnich of the hapless newbie Terrans