[jim]

I have tried intel with some success against the weaker AIs. However, keep in mind that it is a High Bonus - High Difficulty game.

So, IIRC, that means that the AIs intel quantity gets multiplied by 5!

I have about 500K in intel while the #1 AI has 131K - but since it is X5, the AI actually has ~650K! So, I have to keep feeding 150 - 200K into C3 projects simply to fend them off me! There is simply no chance of EVER touching them with intel in this game! I literally went heavy into intel in self-defense, as the #1 AI was started to hammer me in intel FIRST! Meanwhile a 120 ship fleet just showed up on my doorstep and appears to be sitting on a world probably converted to training. I could REALLY use a stellar torpedo for THAT system's star!

Tonight, I finished off the religious AI, and have one more about to collapse - this AI is Organic and is down to 2 systems and I've been stealing its ships as fast as they are built. I kept it alive longer than necessary because I was low on minerals, and was running 6 steal resources and a mutiny ship (to salvage) each turn!

The #3 AI and I treatied early and I have not disturbed them. I needed to expand through and past them.

The #2 AI is the one I am starting to shift intel to, as it also seems to be ahead of me in Stellar Manipulation. However, it is clear that the AI must have stockpiled a ton of CI points. This one is generating 20K per turn (so w/X 5 it is 100K). I have been throwing 200K at it every turn for the Last five turns with no result so far.

Anyway, the situatuion is desperate, so it's a great game! Top 4 scores:

- 9M (psychic)
- 4M (me)
- 2M
- 1M (Trade and research treaty) (Crystal)