One thing I've noticed is that everyone seems to start wars much earlier, especially if there's a Super Manipulater race in the game. That ability is being used alot more now.

It depends which AI... In my recent game the Korath were obbsessed with building huge weapon figates and battleships and out of date but cheap (if not cost effective) defenders.

The differences between the AI's are quite large now they all have strengths and weaknesses. Some of the AI's are donkeys imo opinion like the iconians (not war orientated at all) and the terrans for example would do well if they were better at colonising but rarely get enough planets.

That needs further investigating. I wonder if good diplomatic relations w/ Drath will keep you safe, and actually let them start the wars w/ each other for you.

The AI was building quite a few capital ships in the games I've played.




Yeah but it's rare, it's happened a couple of times, but generally they'll leave them if there's other targets like starbases and planets anywhere.




dunno, I never really paid attention to it before the patch.



It's a mix, but having lower tech ships doesn't seem to increase your military rating by much anyway.

I've noticed that they're developing their colonies much better now. There's still the odd Factory on a Research tile etc. but there has been an improvement.

I don't know how you guys do it, I'm having a hard time just getting anywhere on Challenging. I've been trying out so many strategies to get my empire up and running, but there always seems to be at least one AI who's just one or two steps ahead of me, and who eventually leaves me in the dust. I'm getting better though I have to admit. It sure has taken me awhile though, especially have this latest patch. I'm having to relearn the game all over again!

Yeah, I agree. (I know, I know, this is going to sound like cheese) Typically, I try to have all AIs at war with all other AIs once they start wars on me. With nine opponents thats like 70 some wars going on at once. I do this because I noticed that when the AI is at war with multiple civs, it just keeps cranking out ships to fight, and doesn't build transports. You kind of "freeze" all the AIs in wars with each other, and just go around mopping up the stragglers.

Yes, this means you are at war with 6 or more people at once. And there is no trading for anybody. But really, with the new rules, it is much less intense to just send the whole galaxy up in flames fighting each other than to have to face 3 or more opponents on your own. If you can keep one civ not at war with you, you can trade peace treaties with other civs to them to control who you are even at war with.



I agree they don't defend planets they have just taken, so keep a transport in range of planets that have had the defenders destroyed. Rush buy transports with good speed and launch them if you think you will be conquered, this can be a good way to keep the planet and maybe even get a free tech off the offender.

I also continue to rape the tie rule when attacking planets that don't have an orbital fleet manager. In my last game (large galaxy, common settings all) I couldn't take out my enemies defenses when they were in fleets. So I went around and took all the AI planets without an OFM and tried to culture flip the ones with it, so I never had to waste fleets facing all that firepower. Especially bad were the arceans, who somehow managed medium hull frigates with 300 attack power. I just didn't want to fight a fleet with an attack power near 2k. But, one at a time, I only needed enough offense to take out the defense and 35 some hps that one ship carried in one round. Cake.