Playing as a Pirate...how...

[TheGunslinger]

i was trying that wonderful P&N-Mod as a Pirate, but i cant seem to win or at least defend against a Nomad or Neutral...usually i start getting loads of Ships with RoboMiners etc, researching up to Destroyer Chassis or something, but i cant get better tech, its impossible to invade planets due to the high ressearch cost for Troops...im really dissapointed, thought a pirates life would be fun....

btw. i choosed all those low-perks such as living-ships and so on, +15% ship attack and of course a lower maintance, must be ~ 10-15%

what am i doing wrong ?

[Skulky]

i haven't had much success but basically you need to find the enemy before they find you and start jackign thier ships and such, make friends with everyone except a few zenophones. once SJ gets to this thread he will make me look like a .

[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