Maybe limit Mine warhead to One per mine, make the damage low-moderate the first level to Moderate-heavy to the Last level, as I think this is what could happen:
"Add more antimatter into the warhead!"
"But it only takes up 20 Grams!"
From here:
A mistake can be made that somehow develops more efficient mines, or
A Mistake can be made that blows up the entier lab.
So only a small increment in damage should be made per level.
Mine warheads could also have price increase with increased volatility: hazard pay ya know.
Also: maybe add a little mini space yard per mine for that self-replicating ability?
Also: On the Corsair/Mercenary idea: maybe make it that only neutrals can make them, a special race attribute/ability.
This way, You can give Corsair/Mercenaries tremendous bonuses with a price, that you won't be able to abuse.
I'm sure there is a flaw in that Corsair idea I just made but I'm not sure what...
[ May 23, 2002, 23:00: Message edited by: TerranC ]