I wish they would make fleets first-class objects like planets, and ships added to them are always part of that fleet. Fleet maintenance is also still a garbage fire. It made a beeline to occupy one of my systems, so I just sent big armies to take over all its planets.

Pretty sure I got lucky with the fallen empire because it melted my fleets while taking very little damage itself. Taking it out not only gave me enough points to push me into first place, but it also eliminated one of my competitors. I ended up shifting my ethics, but that proved unnecessary by accident when my neighbor declared total war on me right after I finished taking care of the fallen empire and about twenty five years before the end of the game. Even though I had a fair bit of territory, subjugated empires are worth more points for victory.

That proved problematic because it meant the AI empires could consolidate into a few blocs with lots of vassals while I was basically stuck on my own. The AI really likes subjugation wars, so of course my empire was generated as a fanatic pacifist. Played through a game on 3.4.2 with Overlord.

How to play stellaris pacifist