So I’ve started a new campaign recently, and when I first sent scouts out to the three planets around the homeworld, I noticed they were all alliance-held. I didn’t think this unusual, so I went on and captured two other planets. Sent scouts again. Both neighboring systems were alliance once more. Okay, I’m guessing that was a coincidence. Captured those planets, wash rinse repeat, both neighbors are alliance AGAIN. Am I just having a stroke of bad luck or something?
Normally, you experience a wide variety of opponents in the campaign. So I’d say this is just the luck of the draw. Although I guess I would ask: do you have all of the extra races loaded? Because if you don’t, that will reduce your number of potential opponents and increase the odds of a straight flush.