In light of the recent discussion about a piracy operation which resulted in the death of a trader (and the associated salt):
https://forums.frontier.co.uk/showthread.php?t=201616
I thought I would put together a guide on the ways you can stay safe from The Code. There exist 3 modes of playing Elite, Open, Solo and Private groups.
Solo: You are 100% safe, but like solitary confinement, you will go space crazy after a few months of talking to yourself.
Private Groups: Speaking of the larger, you have protections from PvP outside of Combat Zones only. I also think it is possible to Pirate inside of this group and not break the rules...more on this much later on when I give it a go.
Open: Elite dangerous is a free for all, as long as the same player is not targeted over and over again (the true meaning of Griefing), and no hacking occurs (Combat logging is hacking the game to your advantage). However The Code is more civilized than the rest of the galaxy, they have engagement rules.
If you are a trader, you are fair game, if you attempt to run when pulled be aware that your hull can often reach 0% before your drives. If you want to be safe, follow the instructions to drop the requested amount of cargo, if you do that then you will not be killed. If you are asked for 50 Tons of xyz, and you drop 50 tons of something else, or if asked to abandon and you just drop as Illegal, then you put yourself at risk. If you charge FSD, it will put you at risk. Sitting there not doing anything for an extended amount of time, will put you at risk (most people have report crimes on, Pirates are not wanting to deal with the 4 NPC who jump in). If you combat log, you will be reported for hacking, and your name will go on a Kill on Sight list within Code.
If you are a bounty hunter, with interdictor and KWS, that makes you a pirate hunter, Code is a pirate group, you can expect some action. Not want the action?, drop the bounty hunting. That means if there is a Community goal to hunt pirates, do not be surprised if The Code is there in force opposing that goal. There is an exception to this, if you are in a Sidewider or similar non-combat ship (cobras and vipers can be fitted as capable combat ships though), or have a ranking Harmless or weaker, you will not be targeted.
Finally the best way to be safe from The Code, is to join The Code (but you need more than a T6 to join). The number #1 rule is we do not kill our own, so you will be safe, live a life as one of the chosen few.
You forgot...
Stop your ship and type in Text Chat, "Wow! Don't shoot! Just tell me what I need to do!" And then immediately go to your menu and exit to menu... 15 seconds later you've "warped" safetly away.
No doubt you'll be put on a list of theirs... But hey ho...
Don't get me wrong, I like the idea of Code, but as the game stands at the moment, with such simplistic (non-existent) game mechanics and ineffectual crime and punishment system, CODE is all but synonymous with "an excuse to gank" (IMHO)!
So until such time as the game actually allows you to achieve what you state you're trying to do, and/or protects players in OPEN from inane pointless ganking, I can't really go along with it... I'll do quite literally whatever I need to do to ensure gankers don't get rewarded... My only personal experience of CODE is one of their members repeatedly ramming ships (to destruction) next to a platform, obviously relishing making the most of an exploit, and causing grief to other gamers. Hardly earns any respect for the group does it, and of course instead just promotes their "gankness".
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