Do you check the graph on the Timeline tab of the Civilization Manager? You should be able to see there just how much of a tech boost the Drengin might have been getting through conquest. If you have been the research leader for a while, they could still be substantially behind you b/c all they find to steal are things you've had for ages.

Re spies and tech stealing, you have to get to a high enough espionage level (one shy of Advance, IIRC), and then it is still just a chance per turn.

And, no, there's no way of telling who placed a spy on one of your worlds. I'd still kind of like an espionage tech that gave you at least a chance of identifying the civ behind the spy.

I think this only increases the rate at which you reach the next espionage level? I'm pretty sure I've gotten stolen tech through Advanced level espionage *after* I pulled out my spies.

Be like the Swiss-armed neutrality. I've even traded weapons techs or ships to my allies in some games to keep the Drengin from conquering them (that can backfire, so be careful). Placing some of your own ships to protect an ally can stop the Drengin or Korath from going nuts, as long as you don't leave your own borders unguarded.

If you go all-out on diplomacy you can buy peace outright, but that's usually only a temporary solution and it does give the aggressor more resources...

Nooooooo, I won't think less of it. I promise, I respect it for who it is as a game...


...but you still have to leave in the morning before anyone sees you, and I can't promise I'll call you

I'm talking mostly about scoring, but also a little bit about computer players choosing goals that suit their "character" (so only a minority would be driven to conquest).

Actually I would perfer all victory types to be scored the same. I don't think the different victory types should have different score multipliers, the 2x for conquest will drive many Metaversers to go that route even if they wanted to be a peaceful race. I understand that a conquest victory takes a lot more than a tech victory. But to just be given twice the score isnt fair.

The way i see it, a conquest vicory already has inherently higher scores. You will be building a larger military and will have more planets (higher poulation and better economy) compared to a tech victory, and most likely would have done a lot of researching in either case, just up different branches. So by itself a conquest victory will give you a better score; just because you did more work in the game.

A couple of strategies you may want to consider.

* work on your diplomacy and influence and get the other races to attack the Drengin hoards. This may not necessarily mean a victory for them, but it should thin the hoards before they reach you. If you notice the Drengin becoming weak to the point where you can sweap in and win the day, it may be to your advantage.

* One tactic that I like to use is go and sell some less useful techs to the aggressive race (in this case the Drengin) for as much money as you can get. Keep on doing this until their resources are tapped out. Then any move that you make will be harder for them to (financially) counter.

* Form aliances with the other races and then attack the Drengins as a unified force. You stand a better chance that way.

* Nothing says playing neutral means you have to be without Miliary might. Build a strong enough "Defense Force" and you can still power on towards whatever other type of victory you are looking for.