It's still pretty recent:
https://forums.galciv3.com/478191/page/1/#3640435
Thalan tech tree gives you a very fast economic and technological development at the start (I think I like the hyperion matrix branch even more than the hive branch).
Iconian is probably the next strongest.
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If you are looking for something different: Play Torian.
The Torian techtree is weaker then terran in tech development, a little stronger in population and has some amazing military techs:
+15% hp -> +20% jamming -> +20% damage reduction vs. all weapons.
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Drengin is also pretty good due to its slave hubs.
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If you want something entirely different: Try the Yor. See if you can figure them out. Though a little warning: turn down the difficulty a setting or two.