Each race now has a special ability that fit its style. For example, the Korath have an Annihilation ability that lets them wipe a planet clean of all life. These abilities add yet more strategy to the game, forcing you to vary how you deal with each race.
Mega Events are another element that will require strategy changes. These elements, like revolutions, affect the entire galaxy and can really throw everything out of whack.
Dread Lords was great when it came to customization, and Dark Avatar doesn’t disappoint either. Among the new customization options is the ability to set how the opposing A.I. will play against you. You can adjust nearly every aspect of the A.I. including how long it has to make decisions.
Another useful addition are new espionage units that you can send to infiltrate the galaxy. You can also keep a few agents on your own planets to help stem any espionage tactics your opponent might try. Once you have an agent in place, you can learn about your opponent’s condition, including the number of ships they control, government actions and how its people view the government. As these units grow, they can relay better information.