I've noticed after a few games that the AI doesn't seem to defend their planets. I thought this was because of the difficulty level. So I started a game on challenging. Still, in all of the AI planets I clicked on, their star ports are almost entirely empty except for a few non-combat ships.

Now I know they've got the money and resources to raise armed fleets. So how come they don't do it? I suppose that should be a good thing, because it makes it easier for me to conquer them But if you take the time and trouble to raise a large navy expecting exciting space battles, its a let down.

I do remember one game where at least a couple of the civs had some decent armed forces, and I actually had an interesting conflict with them. But that was just one occassion I can think of. The only other explanation I can think of is that I didn't click on the Force AI to use CPU button in the options screen. Isn't that supposed to make them smarter or something.

Anyone have any advice on this?