4) Pirates, need to really raid. They also need to attack ships they run into. They also need to vary thier targets more. I have only been surprised attacked once by the AI.
Please define what you mean more clearly, and with less use of "buzzwords" that you assume the rest of us know what you mean -- if only because some people might assume the destruction of all orbital structures in orbit then moving on fits the category of "raid" pretty well.
And given that on most maps, I've seen the pirates go after both of the probable approaches to their raidee (as in, the only ones that make any real sense, and a few that didn't) I'd say their doing fairly well.
6) I would like to see an advanced combat AI that would make use of the dual core. For once in a game I would like to see ships make an intercept course, instead of a follow him course.
Devs have "locked in" that they aren't going to support dual cores (alas) but the simple change to intercept rather than following would be really nice.
7) defending Ships do not do a very good job of prioritizing targets. Nor do they do a very good job of protecting the core of the system when structures or the planet are under attack.
How so? They prioritize siege frigates and colony ships, then run down anything else. That works for me
As far as "protecting the core of the system", thats what your gauss cannon and repair centers are for.
