I rarely take Ancient race in Koth games. I agree it is a quite useful trait, but I can easily find many better uses for the 1000 points. It's almost always the Last decision I make when creating my empire, whether or not to take it, but I usually decide not to. In a 3K or 5K game I will almost always take it though. Sometimes with 3 or 5 good planets I will take it in a 2K game as well because I can lower my production a bit more and raise my construction a bit less to get the points.
I find the value of the Ancient race in a 2-man game is in a fairly narrow window. I tend to prepare enough to deal with a very close enemy even without ancient race, and if we are far enough apart I have enough time to build my empire that the ancient race loses much of it's value. Only in a small range of medium distances does it cause me a problem. Where the enemy has time to prepare a heavy frigate and destroyer force that he can send against me with very little warning. Even then though it's a close thing because they have to allow for ships running out of fuel or hitting my mines.
I have beaten many opponents that have taken ancient race. I have lost to a few as well. But I have never lost to someone and felt like the reason I lost was because they took the trait. They still have to do a lot of things right, and an opponent that does that will be dangerous with or without it.
All that being said, I am certainly happy when my opponent doesn't take it, especially since I don't normally. So I am more then happy to agree to no ancient race and will suggest it myself often.
[ January 04, 2004, 01:31: Message edited by: geoschmo ]