Let me say up front: This is not meant to be a discussion on whether pirating is good or bad. If you don't like pirating, please refrain from commenting on this thread.
This is a question I wanted to ask pirates. I asked it in another thread, but it seems more appropriate to make it its own.
I am a trader and always play in open mode. I very much like the fact that other players are pirates and still others are pirate hunters (not that those are the only 3 valid roles or anything.)
I've read a sentiment a few times offered by pirates which is along the lines of "Don't kill the golden goose" when it comes to the players they pirate. That is, it is better for profits if you can let people live so you can prey on them again. Repeat customers and all that.
I very much like and appreciate this sentiment. As a trader, I'd much rather be given the option to drop some/all cargo and it makes for more entertaining gameplay.
But I am not sure I follow the logic of it.
Blowing away a 'customer' doesn't remove them as a future customer since no one ever dies. At most, you might get on their ignore list, but that would happen regardless of whether your pirating succeeds. I understand that some of their cargo might be destroyed in their ship's destruction, but there is a good chance that you cannot carry all they had, anyway. Finally, IF they throw some cargo at you to appease you, there is a good chance it isn't their most valuable cargo.
I am really not trying to encourage the "destroy all and pick through the rubble" approach to pirating. If you play a more realistic pirate because you enjoy it or for a sense of honor, I honestly think that is a great reason. And I think it makes the game more fun for all of us. Just wondering if there is a more logical reason for it.
This is a question I wanted to ask pirates. I asked it in another thread, but it seems more appropriate to make it its own.
I am a trader and always play in open mode. I very much like the fact that other players are pirates and still others are pirate hunters (not that those are the only 3 valid roles or anything.)
I've read a sentiment a few times offered by pirates which is along the lines of "Don't kill the golden goose" when it comes to the players they pirate. That is, it is better for profits if you can let people live so you can prey on them again. Repeat customers and all that.
I very much like and appreciate this sentiment. As a trader, I'd much rather be given the option to drop some/all cargo and it makes for more entertaining gameplay.
But I am not sure I follow the logic of it.
Blowing away a 'customer' doesn't remove them as a future customer since no one ever dies. At most, you might get on their ignore list, but that would happen regardless of whether your pirating succeeds. I understand that some of their cargo might be destroyed in their ship's destruction, but there is a good chance that you cannot carry all they had, anyway. Finally, IF they throw some cargo at you to appease you, there is a good chance it isn't their most valuable cargo.
I am really not trying to encourage the "destroy all and pick through the rubble" approach to pirating. If you play a more realistic pirate because you enjoy it or for a sense of honor, I honestly think that is a great reason. And I think it makes the game more fun for all of us. Just wondering if there is a more logical reason for it.
