quote:
The scan / cloak levels only come into play when two races with the same racial tech mix it up.
That is, two players with the EXACT same choice of racial techs. If one player has two of 'em, then he'll be able to see the enemy ships with even his most basic scanner, and hide from the enemy with advanced cloaks.
I really think you should have some cloak options available for regular shmoe races.
EG. Master Computer: Psychic cloak since there are no minds aboard.
Stealth armor: Good against Passive EM, OK against Active EM
It is also required that a schmoe race have some sort of sensor tech, otherwise they will be totally unable to defend their empire.