My observations playing on Suicidal with Large or Smaller maps as a good/neutral race, tech trading enabled.
Some races are certainly better than others. But at one time or another I've seen every race making a serious bid for galactic domination (Except for the Terrans).
Dregin: Very dangerous. They pick a fight early on. Often they lose the first war and its game over, but usually they win at which point they have double the power of anyone else on the map and keep expanding. Fortunately, as one person put it, the "Super Happy Justice League", myself included generally band together to take them out when things get ugly. If allowed to grow large they are serious trouble as they are more effective than any other AI at actually conquering planets.
Yor: Much like the Drengin early on. They always have top notch tech and nasty fleets, but they seem less capable at executing a ground war than the Drengin so they don't expand quickly enough and are eventually overcome or marginalized by the Super Happy Justice League.
Korx: Pathetic. Once the Drengin and Yor are out of the picture most races nibble away at their empire without much fear.
Thalian: Small, friendly neighbors generally. Stab me in the back less frequently than most races. That's why they're often the only ones left alive >
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Drath: Not usually strong in and of themselves, but not weak either. Usually have friends that they can bring in if attacked. Their unusually strong influence is often more of a pain for me than their military.
Iconian: Don't usually amount to much, but for reasons I don't fully understand will be very dominant on some maps. No glaring weaknesses, but no obvious strengths either.
Torians: Another middle of the road race, but can exploit a lucky planet break like no other. Frickin rabbits these fellas.
Arceans: One of the best races long term. They rarely get steam-rolled and they don't pick so many fights at once that they can't possible win. They're trouble if they are bigger than me and close by, but they're usually my best ally if our sizes are roughly equal.
Altarians: Usually much more powerful than the size of their empire would seem to indicate. And a bit zealous at times. Despite their good alignment I often find myself at war with them for various reasons like "genocide" of other races.
Terrans: I'm generally playing as the terrans, but the few times I actually see them play...... well...... I suppose some race has to be worse than the Korx. Their game plan seems to consist of being eaten early and surrendering to the Altarians.
