Actually, Advent has that distinction.  If you complete the phase missile upgrade line, that's another matter entirely, hence why Vasari is most feared late game.

Defenses can be useful, but if a big fleet slams into them, they're just going to get torched.  Fleet is the only counter to fleet, period.  Defenses exist to support fleet, they are not stand-alone.

Obviously because you need ships to actually travel through the phase stabilizers to defend. 

Starbases don't count to command limits, and are vastly superior to your usual turrets and hangers.  When you have a repair bay around, they can ward off some pretty substantial enemy assault forces.

Assailants+PM Upgrades+Ruiners+Subs+Overseers+Missile Pact+FS Pact=BOOOOM!!!!!

And yes, I have to say that as far as cool factors, go, the Kortul has to win  

I agree wiht the author. And they are so nice looking! I would like to have a Vasari wife, instead of my current one)

EDIT: Ugh, some weird lag glitch...post wouldn't show up after submitting the first.

...

Also, Vasari starbase kinda pisses me off because their starbase IS their anti-structure/starbase ship. That's building another starbase every time you reach a developed enemy system with its own starbase, and that's damn expensive. Not to mention in order to make the starbase viable for combat against another starbase (+possible defending fleet) you NEED to research its first weapon upgrade to get the anti-structure weapon, and then you need MORE upgrades to ensure the starbase survives past initial system capture.

Its well know this is what they are running from:

i vasari

As a regular TEC player, I'd say that your military and defence tech tiers deserve some appreciation:

Tier 2 PJIs (tier 5! for TEC)

Tier 2 Starbase, and it doesn't even need a special cruiser to build.

Seconded, if only because of its voiceovers.

I gotta say..  While that was funny... The Diplo Pirates aren't that hard to kill.  They can easily be defeated if you know what you are doing.  My first game, I figured I'd turn them on, and soon discovered how powerful they were.  My response?  Increase military might and start paying them to go elsewhere.  Pirates really are stupid when you think about it.  More credits>less credits.  That's all they really care about, so if you think they are slaughtering you, pay them off so they go kill someone else.  And even if they do come after you, who cares?  They aren't that bad (though in their original form, the Diplo Pirates were excessive due to their ability to create far larger fleets than you with far better ships...) but did get OP due to an issue with their power/research caps.