Well, I have been very entertained by some of the other AARs that people have posted (HydroAC really stands out in my mind) and I have been debating doing one myself. I'm not sure how well I will do at weaving a story around the game that I play. Also, it is one thing for me to post pieces of my strategy here and there, another thing entirely for people to be able to track what I do step by step.

But, like most experienced players, I actually have quite a few play styles. And really, its not like it makes me a better person to keep my secrets to myself. The biggest worry is that Frogboy will take notice and decide to try and stop a new set of strategies (he did a good job of countering the first set of suicidal strategies I posted). But, I have faith that I can adjust. So, enjoy this little window into how I play.

First off, I need to decide what kind of game I'm going to play. I decide to set everything to Random, leave tech trading on, and disable everything but a military victory. The other three victory types are way too easy, and I don't want to accidentally win when there is more game left to play. This will be an official metaverse game. I turned mega events on, because who knows? I don't have that long to devote to this AAR, so truth be told if I get a huge or gigantic map I will probably Ctrl-N my way to a new scenario.

Now, it is time to choose a race. I have a different strategy with each one, which one do I want to use? Ultimately, I decide to take the Altarians because Super Organizer has been getting a bad rap on these boards, and it is very exploitable. If the situation is right. Hopefully I can use this Super Ability to win the game for me in whatever map I choose. I decide to keep a journal every time I take screenshots, so that I remember what I've been up to.

Now that I've chosen Altarians, I need to choose their bonuses. This usually takes me the most thought, because it is here that I decide how I want to win the game. I'll be playing on suicidal, so the AI will have significant bonuses to economy, research, manufacturing, diplomacy AND will get bonus race points to use. A tall order. I decide to overkill on research, putting all four points into research and taking the technologist party. Early on I like that sensor boost. With a +65% to my research ability, I will have a good chance of staying level or exceeding the AI in research. I plan on going for a tech win, that is beating the AI with a technology edge, although I will still get a military victory. I also put all of the points I can into economy for a +60%. It isn't as good as what the AI will get, but I will take it. I finish up with a point in luck (I'll need it) and a point in morale. In the end, my bonuses are:
Economics +60%
Morale +30%
Research +45% (+65% with technologist political party)
Luck +25%
Logistics +5% (ug)

Not a large spread of abilities, but the few bonuses I have are reasonably large. I select 9 random suicidal opponents and let the game begin....