[DirectorTsaarx]

puke - ah, you're partially right. And I was only partially right. The propblem isn't facility abilities, it's point generation abilities (like Intelligence and Research). Ship components can't generate Intelligence or Research points (although obviously mining components can be used to generate resource points...). I'm not certain about system-wide bonuses to point generation. Might be worth a shot if you have time to test it.

Interesting feature on how a third race can join battle with two others - I thought MM wasn't allowing that... although it may be a loophole that it works... hmmmm... anyone see an instance where this has happened in freespace rather than around a planet?