I do pretty much the same thing Mumblefratz... although I like to keep a few troop transports handy just in case the odds aren't in my favor  but overall it seems that the "eyes wide shut" method yields more positive results than actually trying to time my mouse click.

In huge galaxies... I started to use mass drivers on low quality planets to reduce the amount of habitable planets in the game.

The AI takes ahuge hit from that. If I want the planet, I use mini-soldiers, and if I want to cripple their economy, I use the tidal wave attack to cleanse the planet.

On my computer the numbers on the planet invasion advantage spin by so fast there is NO way to try and click on the best ratio...maybe a slower computer would be better ??

On my computer the numbers on the planet invasion advantage spin by so fast there is NO way to try and click on the best ratio...maybe a slower computer would be better ??

Actually my computer is probably as slow as they get, it's a 900Mhz Celeron and you can see the numbers go by fairly easily. However, I think the frames per second you get out of your video card may have more to do with this than computer speed (my GeForce 5500 video card is also probably one of the slowest capable of supporting the game).

With that said perhaps the setup that I have would probably be the best to attempt this on.

If we were to post something that gives us the best attack odds in ground attack, somebody from Stardock will disable our spacebar while blowing raspberry at our hard work on the exploit.

There is a large element of truth in what you say. But it did seem to me that it was set up so that anyone actually trying to time it ends up getting worse odds then just trying to make it random. What I was looking for by asking the question was basically confirmation that random was the best way to go.

Randomly hitting it probably as good as anything, and there's a decent chance you are getting slightly better odds, averaged out. Those numbers move fast, and if you're waiting for one you like, you're actually going to get one or two numbers after that one, 'coz you just ain't that fast.

Now if we assume the odds are somewhat evenly spread out (with some variations, of course), we can expect the pattern to be some sort of high-low-high-low wave. If you consistantly miss the high number, you're then (slightly) more likely to hit a low one. If you're just closing your eyes and hitting the button, you've got a pretty even chance one way or the other. Now, I'm sure the odds generator isn't quite that cleanly predictable, but I'm guessing it at least leans that way (remember, the point of most computerized randomizers is to convey the appearance of randomization, rather than to be truly random).

But I'm with Wheeloffire -- I just research all the soldiering techs, so I can hit that button any time I please.

Randomly hitting it probably as good as anything, and there's a decent chance you are getting slightly better odds, averaged out. Those numbers move fast, and if you're waiting for one you like, you're actually going to get one or two numbers after that one, 'coz you just ain't that fast.

This is essentially the conclusion that I came to myself that I was looking for other folks opinion to confirm. At this point I consider it confirmed. Thanks.

If you're trying to time it to hit the high ones, and you constantly hit the low ones, it stands to reason that if you reverse the process you're much better off.

So my suggestion would be to try and get as low an advantage as possible and you'll end up with a high advantage.... makes sense doesn't it??

So my suggestion would be to try and get as low an advantage as possible and you'll end up with a high advantage.... makes sense doesn't it??

It seems like a reasonable assumption but I have tried this and it doesn't seem to help. The best I've come up with is close my eyes and hope for random.

Hehe, the results sometimes cause colorful expletives on my part. I try to nail the high numbers, but it's pretty impossible to do it with any regularity. Although, I seem to do better if I try than if I don't.

if you get your soldiering all the way up, there's very little chance you'll lose with 4 advanced troop modules

And whats all this 10:5, 40:5 and 20:5 talk? The comp only gets that low a number in my games when I use mini-soldiers or the like. Otherwise the bad guy usually gets between 5 and 15(-ish).

Actually I almost always use mini-soldiers. It gives me better odds which allows me to invade using less troops without the possibility of damaging the planets PQ. However, I won't use them if the planet has a trade good or wonder that could be destroyed.

If I'm evil and get the wonder that allows free invasion tactics, then I will use it almost every time even if I don't need the better odds so that I preserve my troops and have a higher starting pop once I do capture the planet. If I actually have to pay 500 bc to use the tactic, then I only use it to ensure that I get sufficient odds to capture the planet using a single 2B troop transport, but this is still more often than not.

if you get your soldiering all the way up, there's very little chance you'll lose with 4 advanced troop modules

I use a troop transport with 2 advanced troop modules. It gives me enough troops to take out the AI's 5B planets with a single ship without too much wastage. It also leaves room for a lot of engines, my mid-game transports usually have a speed of 29 and my end-game transports will have a speed of 59. I will sometimes use two transports at a planet and if the troops from the 2nd transport aren't needed you don't lose the ship. But, I usually try to take at least 5 and generally closer to 10 planets (or more) per turn. Even though I start most wars with 100 transports on hand (I play gigantic abundant all galaxies), I often don't have enough transports to dedicate two per planet.

It seems there's a mix of methods in use here. I think there is some opportunity to do better than random by trying to time when you hit the button, but you can as easily get a bit out of sync and do more damage than the possible benefit is worth. For me it’s just too much pressure knowing the lives of your troops are dependent on the outcome.   

"Uneasy lies the head that wears a crown" W. Shakespeare

That was a little OT, sorry about that...