How I beat bugged ground combat

Just figured it out. Y'know them planets what get bugged ground combat goin', and you can't reinforce yer men or burn the planet down? Ev'ry turn the same combat that never resolves either way...

First off, this won't work if the enemy empire's still big. Get 'em whittled down first. Then use intel & sabotage to get the job done.

First do enough intel to make sure they don't have any defense 'in the bank'. Then hammer away with heavy planet sabotage until they crack.

It's so simple I should've seen it long ago. Intel's just a small part of the game for me - I guess that'll be my excuse.