Awakened Empire in 2306. Is it game over? Thralldom?

[Technotopia]

Actually, they demand thralldom. Is it an offer I can't refuse?

They are xenophobic AE and next door to me.
Difficulty level hard. I'm having 35 planets, researching synths, my combined fleet power is ~35k. I have a blueprint of tachyon lance as a next research, but in case of war, this will come far too late. Besides that my weapon tech is not shining, railguns - 4, plasma - 2, autocannons - 2, shields - 4, reactors - 4, armor - 3. It seems, I haven't any chance to win a war against or at least get the white peace? Is it correct?

What will happen if I accept thralldom? Besides crippling -25% to energy and minerals. I have a good number of planets, some of them recently colonized, so for a while I can stick to building things and hopefully teching. Is it possible to defeat them later, or will they start assimilating?

 

[Cooling Machine]

Accept the offer.IIRC Battle Thralls can do their own wars so you can expand and maybe later overthrow your overlord.

 

[Secret Master]

I'd take the offer for now.

Continue conquering in your master's name while plotting their downfall quietly in your labs.

 

[Agamemnic]

They won't assimilate you. But if they declare war, your planets will be cleansed. Id say take the thralldom, bide you time and when the moment vomes, sneak attack

 

[Technotopia]

Okay, if they don't assimilate thralls, this looks promising.
One more question: they are reclaimers, does it mean they'll be bent on conquering everybody, an thus becoming even stronger? Should I race against them trying to conquer more planets to prevent them from taking more land?

 

[Cooling Machine]

I don't know the xenophobe AE behavior but i guess they will try to conquer everyone who isn't their thrall.
You need start conquering like crazy before the AE becomes unstoppable.
The Awakened Empires can conquer a large amount of planets in single wars and their power can quickly skyrocket.

 

[Alectron]

Thralls are practically the least terrible type of AE vassal. By that time you usually have enough planets colonised, and in need of expansion you can still wage wars. Xenophobe AE are the worst to fight back, they conquer/colonise/build ships like crazy and can easily incinerate everything on their way.

 

[Agamemnic]

Okay, if they don't assimilate thralls, this looks promising.
One more question: they are reclaimers, does it mean they'll be bent on conquering everybody, an thus becoming even stronger? Should I race against them trying to conquer more planets to prevent them from taking more land?

Yes, this AE tries expands at ridiculous levels. Do your best to out-expand or put a stop to them

 

[LordMagus]

I've seen a screenshot posted on reddit that put the fleet power of the xenophobe AE around 400k. Not too sure on the chances of defeating them at that strength. I suppose you could hypothetically build 200k fleet strength, and by using 90% armour battleships and or 75% armour cruisers (with some repeatables to give you more shields) and best weapon loadout, you might be able to defeat them outright.

 

[NeverHelm]

Battle Thralls can fight amongst each other, so you can eat up your fellow thralls before the inevitable confrontation.