[Nitram Draw]

The only way to force the computer to act like a priate is to build the tech tree in such a way that all the items you do not want the pirate to have are not researchable. I think this would require creating the standard tech tree as an option. This would probably screw up all the other AI's or at leastrequire additional prorgaming for each one.
Role playing is the easiest way to get around this although it would be great if it could be made a game function.
I can see tractor/repulser beams being very useful to a pirate espescially if you only want to capture certain ships in a fleet battle. You pull the one you want to capture in close while you push the others away.
I have not used these features much, only tried the tractor beam and I am not sure if it worked. I am going to try the repulser beam on fighters, I don't know if it will work on them though or on sat either. It would be nice to push some of those Groups away when they are circling like sharks!