In some of my latest games I have chosen a minor - like akillians - and gave them a few planets. If I could reach the homeplanet i would start taking that lovely q15 planet first and give them a few planets in my backyard as a peaceoffer.
After a few techs and lot of the TRADE-routes its soon forgotten and we are friends ever after.
Now they are usefull - allthough they are not able to colonize, they can easily take worlds by force and as my ally, they will help me until the day they die. I give them techs so they can defend and invade, and i have seen them take the minor quality worlds i left behind in my war because i didnt have enough soldiers, AND they are my guarddog as they will see and intercept the small fleets i dont get killed before they are past my frontline. They dont produce influence to make a treat and i am sure to have 1 -2 good trading partners through the game.
In my next game I will try to keep them all. After all when i have 100 - 150 planets midgame , its easy to give them access to 10-30 planets or more without notice, and i think its more fun.
