Ahh, ok i can well see that point and whould like that as well.
(perhaps exept for the part of computers getting smart in the true meaning of the word at all...
let alone smarter.)
Still i think Kael and Team already deliver an outstanding job about this so im not all that pessimistic in that regard.
Back on topic: Please add Playing Sheaim, getting adepts (some with combat 5, extension 1, death one) ---> killing nearby neighbors with tons of skellies ---> getting Sorcery for Spectres and kill some more AI ----> beelining Strength of Will + Pass trough the Aether (via ToD + Grimoire) ---> wiping the map via: Take city, port Eater of dreams, Summon Tier 3 with cities pop, Swarm next city, rinse, repeat, when you have done the techs / after building the Nexus (raising the AC while you can. The civics Take care of Maintenance + WW. Building Portals if opportunity presents of course. Perhaps via orc-slaves from the barbs) to the list.
That works rather solidly in many games as well (provided its played well and you don't get totally gimped at start.) without the limitations of warrior-rushing.
Might have been lost on above very long post but it fits the topic i reckon.
From a testgame of 0.31 i have experienced that skellies / spectres are enough to trash even up to early tier 3 units (Rangers and Religious Tier 2.).
Here is another one which works under certain circumstances (most of the world has to be good / neutral alignment you and other AI can make that happen via religion...), i did so during a regular sidar creation.py game (ecofarm challenge) but might work for any civ if you are determined enough:
Make friends with neighbors and cut off part of the map for you if possible (no open borders if possible while still remaining friendly. Only works on some maps).
Found or join Overcouncil and get as many as possible to join (via gifting / trading away honor).
Get Worldwide liberty passed (after that its no problem to lose majority. So let any AI reign. its not of importance).
Found CoE or trade for deception + spread it.
Convert CoE (no religious tensions +4 or +6? with anyone thanks to fellow councilor. That will make it downright hard for you to get anything less than friendly with anyone even if you try. Save perhaps via War.).
Unite World under Overcouncil and hug everybody in a fluffy dance of friendship.
Go cultural victory while everyone loves anyone (fill any demands save converting).
Do a fluffy peace dance or universal harmony for a few hundred turns (if you wan't to backstab someone go and use some CoE Recon.).
Very close to what a diplomatic victory is (and very counterthematic for FFH2. Given.).
Should someone be dumb enough to adopt Veil in that game and summon Hyborem to gate-crash the party: Watch someone summon Basium and those 2 Evil beeing squashed in one gigantic map-encompassing dogpile. (didn't happen in my game but whould have...
)
If the conditions are met (at least for most nearby civs.) that works no matter how andvanced you are (and you'll even get some free techs along the line... Here is a little something for you... Rage
Can i have tech xyz once in a while...? Sure you can, here you are, have fun...
)
You don't have to really care for tech race or military in those conditions (they even won't come knocking very often under those circumstances). Just make sure the AI doesn't win another type of victory. (going for shadows / investigating suspective civs/cities and watching the victory-screen closely is very advisable.
And a small war taking a city close to completition of tower or altar is no problem and is fast ended afterwards by the council + your units are not ejected on declaration thanks to CoE religious perk and they will still be friendly afterwards.
Sooooo CoE
)
Edit: Oh, and if possible establish the eyes and ears network in such a game. Its invaluable under those conditions. Then Culture Slider 100% is nothing of a problem anymore while still getting very solid tech.
Thats one strategy which should set FFH2 high-level play completely apart from vanilla in that it should be undoable there.
Another advantage whould be that in those circumstances an early rush is not a necessity.