Also, if you manage to con one of the AIs into a trage alliance treaty, you will be rolling in the resources.
If you can capture a resource colony intact, even better, but be sure to scrap the facilities (loot&plunder) before the AI's Fleets come to take it back
Building a spaceyard base in a storm with cloaking ability is highly reccommended. And tactical combat is a must.
I also reccommend building a few Pirate Hoards, so you can stash your treasure until you need to spend it
[ February 12, 2003, 14:25: Message edited by: Suicide Junkie ]