SBFMadDjinn

Doesn't someone have to meet all factions in the game before UP is started?

*technically there are multi-hex weapons out there. Starbases give 'boosts' to ships in their zone (when upgraded). an ideology choice gives a free escort fighter to any freighter in your influence zone. ... as examples. I get the annoyance wrt single transports wandering around looking for an undefended planet to snipe. The AI does seem to like doing that, though never tries to protect them. </p

https://youtu.be/JZoc5oqQobo?list=PLIn-J5vZXOJMKfcRLIYa8EbC81ANUR5SZ Playlist of Beta 5 play as a Custom Race.

making the AI boost influence would be good. Plus reducing the Inf boosts (%) from Benevolent would be good. My two closest neighbours are fully covered in my influence area at the moment, and there's that wonderful choice to force flip everything available.