question about starting abilities

Yes.

They spend their points more intelligently as you crank the difficulty up, and on difficulties higher than Tough, some of their customization points limits are removed-for instance, if they have the points, they can choose a research +50% option (someone who plays Suicidal more often than me can tell me if research +50% is a valid option for them), even though it doesn't technically exist.  And at the higher difficulties, they do indeed have the points, as they have more points to spend in the first place.

The algorithm is not quite as good as it could be, however, as they're more concerned about having their points used than having them used in decent stats.  So if you spend the points for an AI in stats that don't matter, in general or for that particular game, you could actually play against a weaker AI than normal, as it generally won't reassign its points.

If customization points are listed as being exactly ZERO in my modded RC.xml file, there shouldn't be an indirect way for the code to break that limit when a game settings allow for higher than tough levels (even if by mistake on the players' part)... this is a very important figure for gameplay balance since the intended startup strengths of my opponents (again within a modded enviro) are ALSO heavily dependant on specific Parties.

A lot of careful thoughts went into designing a challenging set of races for X-Worlds or CoSH and since the new tech-tree paths & supplemental assets (PI, TG, SP, GA buildings, modules, etc) certainly have extensive influence over the 'activities', i hate knowing that some weird hidden code function (based on difficulty levels) takes great liberty onto randomizing this fragile balance.

One more reason why i **only** play test games on Tough, btw.

Since I usually don't like making new threads I'll post my related question here:

Starting as a true custom race vs altered main race: Is there any real difference in starting ability points? Does the custom race always get the short end of the stick or does it depend on which main race it's compared to?

Compared to the Arceans, you can't possibly do worse (since they have a malus to speed).

For TA, clockwise:
-Yor: 9 inherent, plus 10 miniaturization = 19 total++
-Torian: 3 inherent, plus 2 logistics = 11 total+
-Arcean: +3 but -5 so -2 inherent, plus 2 logistics = 8 total+
-Altarian: +10 but -2 so +8 inherent, minus 1 logistics = 18 total-
-Drengin: +10 but -4.5 so +5.5 inherent, plus 1 logistics = 15.5 total+
-Terran: +13 but -1 so +12 inherent = 22 total*
-Korx: +9 (trade routes) +9 (trade bonuses) but -2 so +16 = 26 total
-Drath: +13 but -3.5 so +9.5 inherent, plus 2 logistics = 19.5 total+
-Thalan: +3.3 +3 -4.3 -5 = -3 inherent = 5 total
-Iconian: +~7 +3 = +10 inherent, plus 4 logistics = 17 total+
-Korath: +2.5 +4 +2 +1 +2.5 = +12 inherent, plus 1 logistics = 22 total+
-Krynn: +3.3 +9 +1.5 +4.5 = +18.3 inherent = 27.3 total

But what these numbers really mean depends on your playstyle.  For instance, the Korx have the second highest total, at 26, but 9 of that comes from trade routes +3 (which would cost you 9) and 9 of that comes from trade income +50% (which based on how trade scales at +2 points per +10%, it should cost you 9 points if it existed), so if you aren't focused on trade, they only really have 8 points worth-and you're spending 10.

It's interesting that the Thalans are so low-even lower than the Arceans-but due to their population growth and diplomacy maluses, they'd need a lot of points to make up for it.

Did you want DA numbers as well?

-Yor get +10 miniaturization but otherwise remain the same, rating becomes 19 total+++
-Arcean: +5.5 inherent = 15.5 total+
-Altarian: +12 inherent = 22 total-
-Drengin: +8 inherent = 18 total+
-Terran: +14.5 inherent = 24.5 total
-Korx: +21.9 inherent = 31.9 total
-Drath: +11 inherent = 21 total+
-Thalan: +9.8 inherent, plus 10 miniaturization = 17.8 total++
-Krynn: +30 inherent = 39 total

Sole, you should start posting all this info you have compiled to the GalCiv2 Wiki...

Also, IMHO the best thing about custom races is picking your own tech tree without dealing with the pre-picked racials.  Drath, I'm looking at you.

Seriously, how much more useless can you get than +3 trade routes and +50% trade, especially given that trade takes a hit when your treasury is >10000BC and trade routes are capped at 12 regardless, which if you go neutral you hit anyway?

I keep waiting for someone else to do it...

I'll get it to, I suppose.

Seeing as how (as far as I can remember) custom races start out with only 15 ability points in TA.... it seems there really is no reason to play them: Find the race that fits your playstyle for the session, distribute the other points they receive and have a go...

unless of course I'm missing something. but thank you immensely for all that info

Torian, Arcean, and Thalan are all worse, while Drengin is borderline.  I'd lump Korx in with them as well, as I don't imagine trade is anyone's major playstyle, but the raw numbers keep them out of that category.

But going custom is the only way to get the super ability+tech tree you want, short of ARC (which I personally can't stand).