quote:
Originally posted by Marty Ward:
[b]I think this is a great idea for a race style but you have to give them planets or else create a whole new tech tree with extremely low research cost. Without it they will take forever just to research Light Crusiers much less any of the techs needed to pirate effectively[b]
Well, this could be one reason to ally with them. You could always build "export" Versions of your ships to sell to the pirates (presumably one or two tech levels below what you have, to prevent them from stabbing you in the back). Give them better ships than they can research/capture in exchange for their support (not attacking your ships, and becoming a force of marque and reprisal against the other empires).
Another possible idea:RANSOM. Especially if they capture population transports.