Hello, I've made similar experiences with Auto Resolve. Sometimes really strange things happens. I remember one battle of a Star Base against a space monster. The space monster killed my Star Base and I've built a new one in 4 turns. This take, no signifcant development in armor, weapons etc. later, I won easily in manual combat.
Just a one to one battle. If the result would have been different in a many to many, I totally agree that the result can be different.
But I could not figure it out or reproduce it. Anyone made a similar experience?
Not really the topic Starling raised, but it just popped out of my mind.