Which game is best for a n00b? SEIV or SEV?

[Phoenix-D]

A little of both actually.

[Suicide Junkie]

Carrier Battles mod has quite effective AIs, thanks to Rollo. They give even me a decent challenge even on the "No Bonus" settings.
The best part of "No Bonus" settings is that you could have done whatever they just did, if only you had had that starting position and that racial setup.

Low bonus AIs will steamroll over all but the most crafty and lucky of humans.