The Yor.

I really like their background lore and general attitude. "Sure, we'll make an alliance with you, but you are still dead meat once you're no longer of use to us. Nothing personal."

Their Collectives have the highest output of all factories, and they've got the best farms in GalCiv 2 (Charging Stalks). Their economy is also unique. Instead of spamming Stock Markets, like the other races, you need to spam Charging Stalks.

Overall, I love how their playstyle is so differently compared to the other races.

The only downside of playing the Yor is, that their economy, while unique, is also pretty weak. Which isn't exactly helped by the high maintenance costs of their manufacturing improvements. You really need to micro them a lot, in order to get the most out of the Yor. Which suits me fine. I like to micro.

I always play custom Civs but I gotta say I think I like the Yor best too. `OMG we are surrounded by meat based civilizations, WHY!! '

I ought the make a pure Yor game next, instead of my usual custom civs.

I generally play the altarians, or a custom race that shares many aspects of the altarian species. 

I'm very partial to the Drath. The population growth penalty was their only real drawback and their super ability was incredibly powerful and satisfying. Pulling the strings while you prepare yourself for domination? Who doesn't like that. Sad to see them (presumably) gone, but I don't see how their ability can translate between single and multiplayer. Super Diplomat and Super Organizer have the same issue.

Second to that, the Arceans are interesting. Many racial tech trees change how you develop, but the combination of their tech tree, their super ability, and their movement/speed system makes them fundamentally different. It promotes a different design philosophy than you might take and it further rewards planetary specialization. Being inherently neutral is a major boost as well, since Neutrality Learning Centers are so outstanding. They have weak inherent bonuses though, so I almost never see them successful on my maps.

It's always Torian, Krynn, Thalan domination.

I like the Korx too!

In my last game they ended up being my Best evil buddy forever. Game long trade partner and ally while the rest of the galaxy wanted to obliterate us.

   I like them all, and have played them all, at one time or another, but the Humans are my favorites. They are the most well balanced of them all, in my opinion. The others are great in their own way, but being human myself (for the most part), I have a certain loyalty, and seem to do better when playing them.

Custom using either the Torian's or Thalan tech tree from twilight.    I will miss the Torian's in Galciv III I'm sure it will be fine though as long as Custom race is still an option.

Hears an idea how about aggresive muppets in space as a major race. I think gonzo goes fight the drengin.

I almost always go for a custom race, my favorite being the mostly passive Spathi with an aim for cultural victory.  I say mostly passive, as they do arm their starbases with defenses.  I love pumping out huge amounts of culture, and seeing an invading fleet split and blow themselves up.

I'm going to miss the Torians. This was most for customization for me. I like their tech tree the most. Sometimes I played the populists. I also think Et looks really good, and this is Stardock's idea of Et. I would like to see Torian stuff in the customized civ unless you are using their stuff with some else. Is there anyway you can use the old and new Zandar in the customization screen. I do like the old picture of what looks like a Ferangi.

Iconians for the tech boost, and huge galaxy. Spread them out like a plague

-Dennis

Can you describe your favorite custom settings.