I wouldn't say the Ankylon needs a few levels to get going, that sounds more like the Ragnarov, Ankylon with Furious Defense and upgraded armour/hull at level 1 is still a nigh-unstoppable beast. Keeping in mind that Furious Defense also boosts it's damage (for some reason.)

For sensiblity's sake I haven't tried soloing the pirate base at level 1 with the Ragnarov yet, I know the Ankylon can and hit level 3 and a half from it.

Edit - Oh yeah, and remember that the Ankylon likes to try and broadside, leaving half of it's weapon banks and it's beams not firing, which is stupid, drive it into the centre of your enemies and watch the fireworks.

You think it unkillable on the attack, stick it in its own Culture and it can hold a system forever.  I build a dozen Broadcast towers now before I take on the loyalists or get my head handed to me. The Ragnarok can't seem to touch it if its defending, plus it can sit right between two star bases and let target up-link from the Akkan give them 1/2 the system weapon range.  Toss in a bomber fleet or torpedo fleet and they can't even sit back to pound you.

The Kol is a brick that the enemy stumbles over. The Ankylon is the wall the enemy slams into and shatters.

if you ever go against AI do you realize in late game the enemys titans are always level 5. even if its 5 minutes after its created.

oh i've never had mine destroyed so i didnt know that