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Why were these removed from the game, and is there any intention of replacing them? Might come in handy

Even replacing them with an Orbital Defense Platform, which auto-fires on incoming FTRs and Missile Fleets would be awesome.

I think they decided it was too much, but increasing the number of fighters per planet size will help defensively.

The fighter mines were removed last game due to the fact that you have no counter to them. They were left over from all the other mines that could be deployed in the game. There were mines in planetary orbits, System space, and even in Subsector space. However the minesweepers were never developed. Plus there was no way to detect the fighter mines or any mines for that matter, which is kind of the point of mines I suppose. But a fighter strike on a planet that was suddenly met with 32000 fighter mines left no survivors and the resulting call to Randy at 2am.

There is no way to counter Pirate attacks either, but they remain in the game....

Easy...easy...let's not start beating up on the Pirates!

Besides, a fleet in planetary or system orbit has a chance to engage the Corsair or Volsair fleet. I know....I've had several fleets wiped out on raiding runs. They aren't the most durable boats in the game, after all. Rift Corsairs and Rift Volsairs have made it easier, but you still have to run the final gauntlet through system space.

I could be wrong, Blackwill, but I think at higher Tech Levels, Pirates can attack planets from subsector space. I know of nothing that stops those attacks...

Oohh...that would be sweet I hope you are right. Can't wait to try that out!