Are pirates going up in shields and weapons as I go up?

[Gzian]

This is probably a dumb question,but it seems that the better shielding that I get and the bigger the ship that I get, the bigger the pirate ship gets too. There seems to be an emulation. Am I imagining this? Is there any way to stop this so we can eventually stay at least a little ahead of the technology curve?

[Phoenix-D]

As you level the ships do get better. Though not bigger, I think. This doesn't relate to money, just XP.

Not 100% sure on how to disable it..

[Suicide Junkie]

You can increase the maximum tech level that the stores sell to be a few levels higher than the currently deployed (and widely available) tech levels.

In main_stores:
Comp Max Level Ship Level Offset := 1

[Vortex]

Originally posted by Gzian:
This is probably a dumb question,but it seems that the better shielding that I get and the bigger the ship that I get, the bigger the pirate ship gets too. There seems to be an emulation. Am I imagining this? Is there any way to stop this so we can eventually stay at least a little ahead of the technology curve?

Yes the pirates get better, they also get more numerous. The curve levels out at about level 14 by which time you should be in, at least a MKIII Abidon Cruiser or a Battleship.
Only the Xiati or Amonkrie become a problem at this point and only if they mount multiple meson cannons - they simply have too fast a firing rate. The big equaliser is the Psychic flail avaialble from your friendly neighbourhood Sithrak

[Gzian]

Suicide Junkie notes:

You can increase the maximum tech level that the stores sell to be a few levels higher than the currently deployed (and widely available) tech levels.

In main_stores:
Comp Max Level Ship Level Offset := 1

_______________________________________

I don't understand, is this what you are suggesting that I change the file to or are you saying this is the file in the game? If this is the file, what should I change it to?

[dHay]

Originally posted by Gzian:
Suicide Junkie notes:

You can increase the maximum tech level that the stores sell to be a few levels higher than the currently deployed (and widely available) tech levels.

In main_stores:
Comp Max Level Ship Level Offset := 1

_______________________________________

I don't understand, is this what you are suggesting that I change the file to or are you saying this is the file in the game? If this is the file, what should I change it to?

IF you want to change behaviour, you change the file.

Currently, with:
Comp Max Level Ship Level Offset := 1

This means that the store will create items to sell that is +/- 1 from your current level.

Thus, if your level is 10, the store will have level 9, 10 and 11 items.

If you change it to:
Comp Max Level Ship Level Offset := 2

The store will have +/- 2 levels, thus 8,9,10,11,12. This means that with a little work, you can have level 12 items when the pirates, etc, will have level 10.

NOTE that the store only reloads:
1. When you quit and restart the game.
2. You leave the system, stay away for a while, then come back. Or some such trigger.

I've not quite figured out #2's behaviour yet, but I haven't been that concerned about it either.

NOTE that if you go to a Independant Space port (one in a system owned by nobody) you can get a wider variety of items. And can buy any type of ship. Terrans only have terran ships and terran components, etc.

Always remember, this is a COMPUTER game. It is not reality. Thus, it has some odd behaviours that never happen in the real world.