Inconsistent Pirate Lord Mission Targets

[Johnny Cyclops]

I've only recently started taking these missions again, after a year or two, because in the earlier stages of the game it was impossible to actually locate the pirate lord.

What I now find is a wild range of 'pirate lords' that seems to bear no relationship to the mission fee attached. Around 80% seem to be Harmless or Mostly Harmless and often in smaller ships (Cobra Mk III is typical). These are almost disappointingly easy and don't merit 'lord' status. Tonight I've been landed with an Expert in a Federal Corvette! Because there's zero indication on the mission job what level or ship the pirate's in, it's almost impossible to know whether the job's even do-able. Goodness knows how a newish CMDR in a weak ship copes.

First time out I went equipped with my Viper MkIV (A-grade) and had the Corvette down to around 40% when he toasted me. So I went back in my strongest ship, a Federal Dropship (again A-grade) and this time had him down to just 2% when my ship was shot out from under me. I'm not the greatest fighter in the galaxy, but do ok, and I'm sure others here have roasted Corvettes in Sideys but that's not the point I'm making.

There needs to be more mission-side information, even if just in the language... "a new pirate on the scene in [system x]", might indicate a low-ranked one. "a 20-year veteran pirate in [system-x]", might indicate a high-ranked one. Right now I'd even accept some differential in the mission credit value, so smaller ship, lower rankings got fewer credits, and larger ships, higher rankings got more credits. An Expect Covette takedown should not be worth then same as a Harmless Cobra.

I'll give it one last go again in the Federal Dropship, but each death costs me 3m cr in insurance. It's all about pride now!

 

[Faded Glory]

I've only recently started taking these missions again, after a year or two, because in the earlier stages of the game it was impossible to actually locate the pirate lord.

What I now find is a wild range of 'pirate lords' that seems to bear no relationship to the mission fee attached. Around 80% seem to be Harmless or Mostly Harmless and often in smaller ships (Cobra Mk III is typical). These are almost disappointingly easy and don't merit 'lord' status. Tonight I've been landed with an Expert in a Federal Corvette! Because there's zero indication on the mission job what level or ship the pirate's in, it's almost impossible to know whether the job's even do-able. Goodness knows how a newish CMDR in a weak ship copes.

First time out I went equipped with my Viper MkIV (A-grade) and had the Corvette down to around 40% when he toasted me. So I went back in my strongest ship, a Federal Dropship (again A-grade) and this time had him down to just 2% when my ship was shot out from under me. I'm not the greatest fighter in the galaxy, but do ok, and I'm sure others here have roasted Corvettes in Sideys but that's not the point I'm making.

There needs to be more mission-side information, even if just in the language... "a new pirate on the scene in [system x]", might indicate a low-ranked one. "a 20-year veteran pirate in [system-x]", might indicate a high-ranked one. Right now I'd even accept some differential in the mission credit value, so smaller ship, lower rankings got fewer credits, and larger ships, higher rankings got more credits. An Expect Covette takedown should not be worth then same as a Harmless Cobra.

I'll give it one last go again in the Federal Dropship, but each death costs me 3m cr in insurance. It's all about pride now!

The mission rank is a pretty clear indication of the rank that the target will be. Harmless mission rank, Harmless pirate, Elite mission rank Elite (or thereabouts, it can change a bit dependent on your own rank) pirate.

The easy ones are indeed very easy, and are presumably there so lower ranked players have assassination missions that they can take. The credit reward, which should be higher for higher ranking missions, and in my experience generally is, does vary a bit also dependent on your status with the faction giving the mission.

Personally I agree that more info about what kind of ship a target will be flying would be good, even from an immersion point of view, however, having done a bunch of these missions, it's very predictable from the rank of the mission. Low rank will be Cobra or Vulture, mid rank will be Fed Dropship up to Python, and high rank will be Anaconda or Fed Corvette.

 

[Johnny Cyclops]

The mission rank is a pretty clear indication of the rank that the target will be. Harmless mission rank, Harmless pirate, Elite mission rank Elite (or thereabouts, it can change a bit dependent on your own rank) pirate.

The easy ones are indeed very easy, and are presumably there so lower ranked players have assassination missions that they can take. The credit reward, which should be higher for higher ranking missions, and in my experience generally is, does vary a bit also dependent on your status with the faction giving the mission.

Personally I agree that more info about what kind of ship a target will be flying would be good, even from an immersion point of view, however, having done a bunch of these missions, it's very predictable from the rank of the mission. Low rank will be Cobra or Vulture, mid rank will be Fed Dropship up to Python, and high rank will be Anaconda or Fed Corvette.

I usually ignore the required rank, but will take a closer look. I ignore it, as I've never figured what it signifies, say on fetch/delivery cargo missions, or salvage ones. Some remain above my trading rank, for instance, but still allow me to take it. I'll take a closer look from now on.