Ok, this game is slightly strange to me.
This is because I`m doing fine economically (on normal settings), built a really large economy and financial base. Diplomatically getting on well with every one.
Then the Iconians cooked up some ruse that my diplomatic insulted them so it was time for war. OK. They want a fight, they got it. I hadn`t been lazy in my technological military research, so started putting together the best type fighters and battleships that I could. Sent them out to fight the Iconians who`ve already destroyed a couple of my economic and influence satellites.
1st battle:
My ships are slaughtered. Back to the drawing board. Better armour, different weapons. I try Photon Torpedoes with a sort of gauss rifle thing.
2nd battle:
My ships are devastated.
3rd, 4th, 5th battle:
Devastated again.
20+ battles.
Not one battle won!
I now have my one planet left: Earth. I still have plenty of cash, although the iconians are busy destroying all my trade lanes, but I just can`t seem to fight militarily.
The strange thing is, in most strategy games, i`m rubbish economically , but always do well in battles. Anyway, the AI is just rubbing my nose in it and laughing. There`s so many of their fleets now, that I doubt I can beat them even if I make the Ultimate ship. And why can`t I get the other nations to attack the iconians? I can`t even ally with them now, as I did with the Terrans before.
I know I`m doing lots wrong, but what?