me_myrmidon

Well I think, with more than a bit of help from my forum homies, have blown off the rust. Using the previous settings, I started in the middle of a huge map...and was comfortable the entire time: Turn 91: I had highest score at 218. I was 1st in population with 212. AI population was 83/85/112/161. I was 1st in planets owned with 27. AI had 10/12/19/24. I built 57 ships. AI had 16/63/69/72 and was highest on military power graph most o

For colony rush, I spent myself down to 700 credits in the first few turns getting colonizers and a few factories on homeworld...I guess I'll spend every dime next time and see if that helps. Sigh, I guess I will have to wean myself off "get ion drive before really getting serious about weapons". ______ Took the advice regarding "speed 3 combat ships is fine for early game" and "get some ships built asap" Got a much better result on this next

I don't think "huge" map is that big really. I use "common" star frequency so there is a lot of space between systems. I reach "ion drive" tech and my default constructor has 10 speed and jets across the map in just a few turns. I don't see how graphs will help...I have a much more basic issue if other players are having no trouble with higher difficulty and not being crushed in every category by turn 100. But what the heck I will start looking at graphs (

(before I go on: I know this game has a long way to go...but I'm lovin' it as it is) TLDR summary: is a "huge" galaxy too small for "challenging" difficulty setting for a casual player? I'm really tired of seeing "you are weak" in the diplomacy summary and having 1/2 to 1/3 of leading AI empire score even before I've researched a decent weapon. Howdy, I'm a casual galciv1 & 2 player from the way back machin