SEIV AI - has it improved?

[grahamd]

I was wondering whether anyone can give an opinion about the ability of the AI with the latest patches.

I started playing SEIV in June Last year and found the AI to be just too easy to beat, not agressive enough and had a bad case of aneasia - it would keep sending fleets into the same situation over and over again when it should have realised that they wouldn't stand a chance.

I'd like to play again but would like to hear whether it gives a good game and which mods are likely to be the best.

Thanks