1. Target planet is selected among the top 30% richest planets from the top 3 richest empires (complementing the Marauder mechanic which is aimed to target new/young colonies)
2. Attacks start only when at least 2 empires have met each other for over 50 Turns (complementing again Marauder mechanic which is aimed as an early game threat). This would also thematically be correct as it is strange to see well-armed pirate fleets when some empires would still sturggle to put together a similar fleet, and would also autoamtically mean that it does not stack much with Marauder raids and cripple early empires
3. Pirate fleet would utilize the avaialble technology of the empire that has the highest tech score: This way they do not seem like an unreasonably advanced force and capturing their ships does not give an unreasonably big advantage. Countering them is also more realistic unless they are sponsored
:4. All Human factions on the map get a Diplomatic message from the leader of the Pirate fleet (unless they are the ones being targeted) offering the chance to sponsor their "enterprise" via options:
A: Do not sponsor: Small reputation degredation towards attacked empire - but still some which is important
B: Sponsor with small amount of coin: Medium reputation penatly towards attacked empire. Pirate fleet grows double in size and can host Cruiser. If succesfull, sponsoring empire gets medium amount of coin and) metal
C: Sponsor with large amount of coin (if has enough funds): High relationship penalty. Pirate fleet grows tripple in size and can host Battleship. If succesfull, sponsoring empire gets large amount of coin, metal and reasearch
The last point is important as it:
1. Gives an acutal reason ffor other empires to dislike the Humans and say: "Pirates attacked us"
2. Woudl have the same effect on human player: Now the player would rightfull be warry of Human factions on the map as these can visibly strenghten and profit from raids agaisnt them. Disliking Human facitons and trying to take them out would be a natural player reaction which would be mostly correct when playing other races and serve the fluff withouth actual descriptions explaining it. The player can organically see if the fleet has been sponsored witohuth any text explaining it and taking out the Human faciton(s) would reduce the pwoer of these attacks
2. Gives a much needed bonus to the currently underpowered Human faction withouth changing their difficult starting position for those who like it. Human pops are clearly the least usefull pops as they lack any sot of bonus except for Moral bonus when City building but this way Human empires can keep up with runaway Yoral, Ashdar or Tinker empires by weakening them withouth direct confrontation and profiting of their defeats
3. Would spice up the mid and late game consdierably: creating new conflict dimension which would directly effect alliances set up during the early game
4. Would give an interesting and unique mechanic to the Humans withouth any major change to the existing mechanic
5. Only Humans supporting the pirates makes sense from fluff side as they would probably supply the most privateer personnel for these adventures and due to their history, upper command chain can still have ties to the privateer captains
6. Would explain where the Pirates get their ships, personnel and weapons