JoeTheGuy

I agree with Nilix. Small maps (with pirates) and take your time. Send the pirates after your opponent whenever you can afford it. Utilize choke point planets to build up your fleet and use the other planets to build up your empires infrastructure (economy and research). With the pirates pounding the enemy, they should be softened up enough for you to easily deal with them. Doing a few maps like this will help you get a feel for whatever race you're fond of playing and you'll start to learn

In the very early stages (100 supply) I usually go Kol, 6 Cobalts and then fill out with LRMs as fast as I can research them. I'll get a colony ship too but only one scout. This line up changes after the first fleet upgrades but it's fine for killing off early neutrals. The capital ship with colonizing ability (forget the name at the moment) is also viable early game.

Are you upgrading the logistical slots of the planets you colonize? Each planet starts with a set number but these can be upgraded. If you still find you are lacking in logistical slots, you need to colonize more planets or look at the planets you already have and see if there aren't any redundant structures (not every planet needs a frigate/capital ship yard, beacon, etc) and if you can scuttle something you don't really need to make room for those research stations.

Allow more "control" over the pirates. Bribing them to attack other empires is fine but I'd like to pick what they attack. They could have accounts for military, industrial or civilian strikes. Military strikes would focus on static defenses, ships and frigate/capital ship builders, etc. Industrial strikes would target trade ports/ships, refineries, etc. Civilian strikes would target planets themselves, beacons, research stations, etc. I think this would really make the pirates come alive

So far, I've only played small size 1vs1 maps so I can learn the basics. I've been focusing on TEC and with the income they can generate, pirates have been instant win. I can bribe them every time and they just crush the AI which nets me the win but feels kind of cheap. Gonna try a non-pirate map and see how I fair. Anyway, I read this thread awhile ago and after playing last night I have an idea: Allow more "control" over the pirates. Bribing them to attack other empires i

Wow. This has been one of most interesting threads I've read on these boards. Can't help but throw myself onto the fire here. This has probably already been said (can't remember with sooo many posts) but I think that fleet cap should be based on population size. Obviously a larger empire with a larger population to call on to would be able to field a larger army. I believe I saw a previous post with a similiar idea of having each planet type adding a number to your fleet supply. I

Your logistics capacity is specific to each planet. So, if your maxed out at one, you need to either demo an existing logistics structure or yes, conquer another planet. i don't know of any research that increases this.