Even at Tough (full AI smarts), they aren't very good at placing influence bases. Or at least not consistently so. I've seen things that definitely look like a deliberate influence attack, and stuff that might pass as influence defense if you're feeling generous. But I've also seen *plenty* of infuence bases in spots that just make no sense.

Re 'strong' and 'weak' civs, I think that a lot depends on your play style and map settings. Outside the scoremonster arguments about what civ to play as, anyway.

I think I use the highest AI, I still have a 10% economic bonus, but this should not influence it.

Yeah, many Influence bases are being build, even in the right places, but not upgraded at all.

Perhaps they are bulding some Influence bases just for tourism income or range? That would explain some strange locations.

While military, economic and mining bases are relatively well upgraded, this really sticks out.

This is strange, since it would be quite easy to programm them into doing it right, they would just have to upgrade regularily.

I just recently switched to the Super Abilities, but I myself always had Trouble with a high population, sending my aproval rates to hell. But lets see what these Torians can do when you let em mate.

The Arceans of course, have this 10% Speed loss. But only in TA I remember, and I played DA most of the time. Perhaps just Chance.