Lately I have been trying to change starting conditions to make the game more challenging but still fun.

Many people have advocated rare everything as the hardest, but I am not sure with one 1.2. Also habitabl planets are so rare the game takes ages.

I have started playing like this: Uncommon Habitable planets, Rare Planets, Rare Stars. Gigantic Map (It gives the best feeling of deep space imo).
Also. Random star spacing. No Minors. Unknown AI start positions. Play against 2 AI on Genius, no other AI.
My relations with both set to Unknown.
Slow research and plenty anomolies (makes the game a bit easier but keeps it fun for me in early game).
Trading Disabled. Additional AI algorithms = ON.

When Starting the game I control+N. IF:

I am start in a corner somewhere I dont like.

I get a precursor sqaure on my home planet (too big a starting advantage).

I get no bonus sqaures at all (too boring).

The goal here is to be able to have 2 AI who get a fair share of the Galaxy each.
However 1 AI often tends to be much stronger anyway....


So far, I went for economic power with ECO + 30 and PQ + 1 starting bonus.
Any suggestions from those who have tried similar setups especially in 1.2?
EG. It may be a good Idea to enable tech trading if Allied AI trade with each other more often, but I doubt it!
3 Allied or teamed AI and some more planets might be harder. etc. But I cannot see how to configure this from the UI menus??
Not tried: Starting game already at WAR. Doesnt sound like fun with trading disabled but....?

What have you tried? The more suggestions the better!!