Do pirates only spawn on uncolonized systems? Thus far I have been able to build empires without any pirate activity except in those systems next to uncolonized areas and once I got swamped by swarms of pirates because I had a few uncolonized systems connected to the heart of my empire.



This means that if every system is colonized the pirates cease to exist. Hopefully there will be a small change of pirates spawning in your systems in the final release so you actually would have to have a small garrison of ships outside the frontlines. (Though much smaller change than in uncolonized ones)

I think they disappear because it has been a while that i'm quiet^^ (and all star system are colonized)

I had every system in my half of the galaxy colonised and still had pirates show up from one corner for a while - I think they may spawn on outposts but not full colonies as they stopped showing up after a while.

If they indeed can spawn within an outpost then perhaps they can only spawn in systems outside a zone of influence (forgot what it is called), thus spawning in outposts but not colonies?

Pirates are dumb. Just like barbarians. I turn 'em off and don't worry! Maybe if they gave treasure or resources for defeating 'em, I'd leave 'em in.