striq said:yes, the pirates are beatable, especialy when you have powerful units. As far as the techs... ****below is a spoiler****
It is still proceeding very slow, and very bloody. I am still in the ancient age and even with triremes I have difficulties killing the pirate ships. There is a problem that needs to be fixed: all such wonders and improvements that allow 2nd level cities MAY NOT be build in cities on lake or river...!!! That is: Sea Epic!!! and Oyster farm... Also the Sea Epic and Lighthouse effects on movement are not commulative... Otherwise good idea, though a smaller map would be nice