When i was playing the board game they where the Borg of their time in a way.
It took a small fleet to take one on. I kind of liked it that way,its more realistic its pretty ludicrous and vain to assume we are going to always be even or on par with every species we meet.
The same goes when i hear people talking about a balanced or fair fight, I have served in the military foe 20 years and i can tell you from personal experience and history ,that war is inherently unfair.
Thats why you use your brain and good tactics. Example? The Vietnamese could not match our science or weapons and they where more than a match for us in their environment.
please do not take me the wrong way, I'm not cutting anybody down
Its just personal preference. I really like a challenge