Quoting Sakhari, reply 6to throw down a couple of culture centers in that 20+ minute span before planets start dropping...
Like I said, the "potential". But a "couple" culture centers won't cut it either! If they're used correctly, you'll need more. But I'm not going to argue anymore. Test it for yourself.
I am sorry, but I have bad news for you.
Situation in a game 4 weeks ago:
I was TEC Loyalists.... lost all my planets but one.... that was only accessable via one phase lane. Had it fully fortified and upgraded. They attacked me with full force and took heavy losses. As they had more people to worry about they tried to use Deliverance engine on me....
FOUR OF THEM
Guess what? I scuttled 3 trade ports and built culture centers..... problem permanently solved. The Vasari was many times more dangerous.... he could jump in from another vector, avoiding the starbases. Although not for ever... thanks to Auxilary Goverment...
Funny enough, I did actually end up in the winning team.... as it was an FFA and nobody felt rich enough to loose half its fleet simple for killing me. So when I generously offered them an alliance, they accepted^^.