Setting up a Balanced Game Start

Below are my optimal galaxy generation settings for this modpack.

The main limiting factor in any game is the performance in the late game. And the AI in this modpack have been buffed to a large degree, so you will have the potential to see thousands of pops in an empire by 2400 if you don't limit them. So, as a rule, I would recommend that you play on a medium sized galaxy (600 stars) with 50% habitable planets to limit the amount of potential pops in one galaxy. Also limited habitable planets creates an interesting gameplay loop that far increases the value of important systems, which ties into the more limited starbase capacity and more valuable terraforming tech.

Remember that the AI is also Starnet AI, meaning that Grand Admiral will really kick your ♥♥♥ if you aren't ready to suffer. To put it in perspective, an average Grand Admiral AI will have around 10k-20k fleet power before 2240, while your average Commodore AI will have about 5-6k, and your average Ensign AI will have about 1k. I would recommend Commodore AI with difficulty scaling, but if you really want to suffer, choose something higher.

There are loads more technology in the tree, so I would recommend around x1.5 tech scaling

This pack also plays on increasing the difficulty to manage large empires without increasing the annoying micro, so instability/crime matters a whole lot more. Appeasing factions and pop happiness actually matters for normal empires now, as a crime-ridden/unhappy populace can very easily rebel and fracture your empire. Rival empires will also actively encourage rebellion in your territories, whether its through espionage, propaganda, or mass religious conversion. To make this even more fun, I would recommend you set Potent Rebellions into Hard Mode in your policies once the game loads up.

Beyond that, all other settings such as dates for mid/late/victory years, number of wormholes/hyperlanes and all other things are your personal preference.