Playing vs humans

[LeTharg]

I've played a bit in PBEM games and have a few thoughts on the differences. First, humans negotiate better and are more willing to do win/win deals. So trade for technology, trade populations, trade comm addresses. Trade for fleet passage or colonization rights. It is the ability to conduct complex diplomacy that most characterizes PBEM games for me.

If you are little, remember none of the large empires wants some other large empire to take you over, so take advantage and get help. Make allies.

On the other hand, if you are powerful expand forcibly and aggressively.

And all the ordinary rules of tactics apply: establish a secure base, guard the choke points, attack with overwhelming force.

And a good starting position helps a lot too.

That said, I haven't won a one of these things yet.