I gotta say, when I loaded up my newest game last night (erry faction, plus nex, plus SS+, max systems/planets/stations, wheeee it's busy in here) and rolled with Hiigarans, I *** my pants when I realised that the planet next to mine - like, throw a rock and you're there - is occupired by the Templars. So, initially, everytime I would go home or do something around my homebase, I had to rely on the Hiigaran's superior burn speeds to avoid the ever-salty Templars.
Then they started attacking my mining and convoy fleets, so I started hopping in to assist.
It's funny. The resilience and speed of the Hiigarans combined with their relative short-range kinetic and HE heavy projectile weapons deals with the Templars rather well. At first I felt like I was the fodder placed next to the predator, but now I am starting to appreciate the constant source of XP, gear and credits. Clarents hurt, and I usually need to eat that alpha and vent, but as soon as the Clarents are out of the way, ganging up on them one by one works dandy. Since their captains lean towards aggressive, they like to come to get their beating, too, which makes it easier to deal with them.
That being said, they are probably among the most intimidating factions, which I find great. They are very flavourful and enjoyable to fight with, and even more so, against. Good job, Cycerin.
Spoiler
Now expand their fleet.
[ don't remember the name of that ].
Ah, mon ami, c'est la Joyeuse Fractal Laser!