I saw a discussion earlier about the role of Pirate Bases.
Why not make one of them part of a fun combat oriented community goal?
If they make neighboring systems unsafe, those systems would have a vested interest in removing the base. Likewise pirates in the area would have a vested interest in defending them.
Two mutually exclusive community goals (and teams) could be set up:
i) Bounty hunters are invited to come into the system (and maybe immediate neighbors) and whack as many pirates siding with that faction as possible, including players.
ii) Pirate players or sympathisers could have a similar goal for whacking both BHs and traders and maybe bringing stolen cargo to the pirate base.
If the BHs are able to take out a certain number of pirates, they get to witness a cap ship called in to nuke the pirate base, removing it from the game forever and get permanent favourable treatment from neighboring systems (maybe 5% extra on bounties etc).
If the Pirate faction hits its target first however, the station gets a permanent boost in influence, facilities etc and they get a permanent discount for trading stolen goods there etc. Maybe even a second pirate outpost could appear in the vicinity.
Someone mentioned 'reavers' in the other thread - why not consider this medium-longer term as a new game mechanic / group of factions, where pirates get a serious foothold in a number of systems and become a force in their own right that is a thorn in the side of the other three major powers and independents? Could be lots of fun to had, especially in the RP stakes.
Why not make one of them part of a fun combat oriented community goal?
If they make neighboring systems unsafe, those systems would have a vested interest in removing the base. Likewise pirates in the area would have a vested interest in defending them.
Two mutually exclusive community goals (and teams) could be set up:
i) Bounty hunters are invited to come into the system (and maybe immediate neighbors) and whack as many pirates siding with that faction as possible, including players.
ii) Pirate players or sympathisers could have a similar goal for whacking both BHs and traders and maybe bringing stolen cargo to the pirate base.
If the BHs are able to take out a certain number of pirates, they get to witness a cap ship called in to nuke the pirate base, removing it from the game forever and get permanent favourable treatment from neighboring systems (maybe 5% extra on bounties etc).
If the Pirate faction hits its target first however, the station gets a permanent boost in influence, facilities etc and they get a permanent discount for trading stolen goods there etc. Maybe even a second pirate outpost could appear in the vicinity.
Someone mentioned 'reavers' in the other thread - why not consider this medium-longer term as a new game mechanic / group of factions, where pirates get a serious foothold in a number of systems and become a force in their own right that is a thorn in the side of the other three major powers and independents? Could be lots of fun to had, especially in the RP stakes.