Star Wars: Empire at War/Pirate units

The "Pirates" in space across the galaxy and also on land are a united force of all different unimportant, not famous, minor mercenary individuals who fight for themselves against both rebels and empire, or if one of their Merchant Space docks, cantinas or mercenary outfiters are captured by either forces, they'll help that side by preparing production for tanks or vessels for battle help. You can do this in various skirmish maps.

Pirate soldier
These aren't really "soldiers", but are fighting in groups for the pirate force. Yes, you may find out that they'll debark from their mercenary outfitters and outposts, whether outfitters captured by rebels or empire or not occupied, they'll attack your guarding troops and enemy forces guarding as well. They pretty much fight for the pirates rather than help your, or the enemy's guys.

One squadron of these are 3, although they normally travel in large groups.

Pirate Missile Soldier
The same characteristics and principle as the pirate troop described above, this time with PLEX rockets. Effective against tanks.

A squadron is of 3 Pirate Missile Troops, just like PLEX Soldiers.

Armored Units
When a Cantina is captured in skirmish, it will produce the following vehicles for either faction.

Pirate Skiff
Light, fast, repulsor lift vehicle for patrol and garrison duties. They're exactly the same skiffs Jabba The Hutt used in Return of the Jedi. The skiffs are the same use as AT-STs and T-2Bs but a little bit lighter. Use against infantry, speeder bikes and one on one Tie-maulers. Not for heavy combat. Use against rebel soldier infantry if your playing as Empire.

These can guard chokepoints on the map as well as reinforcement point landing zones and mining buildings, etc. while you're busy dealing with other things in the battle. Armed with a hidden laser cannon at the front just below the front hull, firing fast, green shots like that of the speeder bike, but more effective.

Swamp Speeder
Again, light vehicle with similar uses as the skiff, but a bit lighter. It's weak against T2-Bs, AT-STs, and heavier units. Good against Infantry. It is same scout vehicle used by Clone Troopers in the late Clone Wars on Kashyyyk. The pirates captured the left overs of this mass-produced vehicle and claimed it as servicable, effective scrap.

A squadron of these are 3 vehicles.

Pod Walker
Also known as AT-AP (All Terrain Armoured Pod) from the Clone Wars. Older than the classic AT-ST, this is another light vehicle but armed with 1 projectile nozzle cannon and a projectile cannon turret. Again, captured by the pirates just like the Swamp Speeder and with same uses as the skiff with similar combat abilities.

A squadron is of 2 walkers. Use against Infantry for both factions and is very effective with speeder bikes as well for rebels. Also can walk over Infantry like AT-ST and all other walkers and tracked vehicles.

Starships
When a Merchant Space Dock is captured, they'll produce the following ships for either faction.

Pirate Assault Fighter
This is the strongest fighter after the A-Wing. It is armed with repeating red rebel laser cannons. This fighter has no special ability, but has great weapons, good shielding, and good armour.

5 fighters per squadron. A-Wings are superior in a one on one "fresh" squadron battle. Best against bombers and fighters. Most vulnerable when facing corvettes.

IPV-1 Patrol Craft
Although in the official game description it says, "It can handle most pirate and corvette threats", this ship is really just an anti-fighter corvette with ability to transfer power from shields to weapons.

It is very effective against fighters and bombers, especially since a glitch causes its transfer power ability to run indefinitely. The ability can be toggled on and off at will. But if you're not careful, this can leave its shields turned down indefinitely, too.

Pirate Interceptor Frigate
The frigate, having only 2 turbolasers and 1 torpedo launcher, has the least hard points out of any capitol ship in the game, making it rather weak. However, it is strong against corvettes and the triple torpedo launcher is effective against shielded hard points. Weak against heavy frigates, all bombers and Capital Ships.

A glitch with this ship is that when a hard point is destroyed, you will see the chunk of the ship fall off, but the hard point will remain on the ship at the same time, although it won't be useable. This doesn't affect gameplay other then that you might forget that the ship is damaged due to lack of burning holes in the hull.

Bounty Hunter
Minor hero with same use as Boba Fett in Galactic Maps to Neutralise heroes. They usually cost 1000 credits to hire, and can only be hired on any planets including Hutt Palaces, but can obviously be sent anywhere across the Galactic Map.

Smuggler
Just as minor as bounty hunter, but has same use as Han Solo in Galactic Map. Can be nuetralised very easily by bounty hunter in Galactic Map. Able to take credits from hostile planets for your substantial income like Han Solo.