So I was tired of getting my ass handed to me again and again, and figured I might just lower the difficulty a little bit. So I started a new game, with two homeworlds against two lvl 5 AIs, one Shield Ninny (wow, easy) and The Tank. No wave warnings and CPA type waves. All minor factions and shiptypes enabled.
Let me tell you that two homeworlds really made a world (sorry for the pun) of difference. The initial resource boost is a huge boon, and the doubled ship caps aren't bad either. I never came across any heavy resistance, and I must honestly say that the lack of waves from the Ninny coupled with the pitiful waves from the Tank never ever threatened me. I captured three mark IV factories and four ARS after finally slamming the last homeworld with over 7700 ships. Let me tell you...that lagged. Big time
Almost 8000 ships going through a wormhole and calculating collisions weren't pretty. The Ninny didn't even put up a fight when 3000 ships swarmed his homeworld. He just rolled over and died. The Tank actually put up a fight and managed to kill some 1500 infiltrators before dieing.
Pretty unexciting game, and I think I went way below my skill level here, because nowhere in this game were I challenged at any points. I've only ran single homeworld, no handicap games versus easy/medium lvl 7 up to 7.6 AIs before, and those are just a tad too hard for me. Won one, though.