4.0
The sheer power and expense of this galaxy's mercenaries makes them an awkward inclusion that breaks a good chunk of the core game. You'll have access to bigger, badder ships far earlier than you should, and instead of adding something valuable in the way of new strategic options, their addition rewards strong economies while excluding most everything else. While it's not a complete waste, Mercenaries is a disappointment, and it left me second-guessing my allies in war.
