Help please

I'm having the same problem. I can't invade because of their enormous Tech advantage, and eventually they get a ship out destroying everything around. I can't seem to fight them.

Any help from others would be appreciated.

There is plenty of help if you know how to search for it in the forums.
https://forums.galciv2.com/?search=dread%20lords

Basically, the dread lords have the quality addvantage. Their ships will always beat you one on one. You have the quanity addvantage. Build fleets of 5 or more tiny ships with weapons and zero defense.

yep, haven't played that since 1.0x but that advice should still apply. make sure to take plenty of spare ships before you go looking for trouble tho. defenses will be overwhelmed anyhow, that's why zero defenses were recommended. you just need to make sure they only live long enough to get off one shot. if you loose a whole fleet you need more logistics tech, and perhaps wait for one level higher weapon before you try again. and concider a fast raider (cargo hull with lots of engines and 1 weapon) to pick off troop transports. even if your fleets get destroyed raiders can protect you from loosing your planet, and the game. and eyes of the universe wonder is a must, need sensor4 to build it. gh

thanks guys you guys were right bout the small ships. It takes them a long time to make their ships and when you start destroying them the difference really shows.

Edit: I played on normal and didnt really do much work. My allies did most of it in the second half. How much tougher is apocalypse?

apocalypse is tougher generally

Thanks. I tried doing that, but it didn't work... but I think I had waited too long to start. Their ships already had a little bit of armour. Guess I'll have to reset the scenario...