Do you build explorers?

[Alice]

I on't think I've ever built a single explorer. I don't even consider building them, since I usually have more important things to build. but now that you mention them, they might be useful with bad terrain, I'll try to build a couple in my next game.

 

[funxus]

i never used to build explorers but now i do. but arnt partisians explorers with good defense and attack

Pretty much I think,but they have certain special abilities.
They have a much higher attack against settlers/engineers, something over 30 in attack.
They don't trigger diplomatic meetings at contact with AI. There might be some more, but these were the ones I could think of now.