Playing as a Pirate...how...

[Suicide Junkie]

Skulky has got it.

Only research what you can't steal. Explore quickly, so you can pilfer light cruiser tech and decent weaponry before the AIs start putting shields and self-destruct devices on their ships.

Also, use Tactical combat all the time, if you're not already. You need every advantage you can get, and tactical allows you to capture ships after picking off the SDD with short bursts of fire.

Trading ships with an AI can also be very rewarding.

Some minor tips:
- value trade alliances highly. You'd be very surprised what a subsidy can do for your profitability.
- build the chop shop: 99% return on scrapped ships is very nice.
- build outPosts in storm sectors and systems. Use them to refuel fleets, and to scrap captured ships before you have to pay too much maintenance getting them home.
- pick your fights. ambush colony ships for slaves.
- before you build slave labour camps, be sure you will have enough to make it worth more than your $1000 welfare check. Building SLC's in a system without a spaceport can be very useful; only build the spaceport and give up your welfare once it becomes profitable.


In other words, think like a Ferengi
Ferengi Rules of Acquisition
All good, but some are hard to apply to SE4, at least vs AIs. Many more would be useful on PBW