Hi,

Very new players here, just finished all tutorials a few minutes ago.

I was thinking about fighting all the decisive battles (for expansion, important attacks, etc.) myself ( fleet) and only leaving AI for things like routine border defense etc.

But everywhere online people are saying that not being there (so that the outcome of the battle is simulated based on stats rather than actually played out I imagine) gives better outcomes in favourable fights because the actual combat AI is terrible.

I don't at all mind not being a one-ship-army or anything (some games give big bonuses for player intervention to encourage not playing spreadsheet simulator for example), but is the best way to do combat actually to not be there at all?