You have to build some colony ships for planets who can possibly be scanned by others players. Ok the spore cloud cost twice less than the standard ship, but remember 15 planets is sufficient for some years, so the waste of ressources is minimal. Your colony ships weight more than others too. Perhaps if you have superior scanners than others you can intercept enemies scout before they orbit your planet. AR is anyway a special kind of HE, but stronger at the start, and weaker than him at the end.
Super stealth is despised often by players.
So as a SS you need time, time to have a fair production, time to get the ultra-cloak. First avoid roaming near others players if you think they can possibly see you. Ask him to move cloaked transport loaded with minerals with your freigthers. Congratulation, you're now an inner strength.