Is piracy a viable option?

[Aewarin Jameson]

But what are you (pirates in general) going to do if all your hapless quarry can dump is a few Barry Mannilow records and a leaky container of Thargoid Slime?

Riders to the stars
We are flyin', we are fallin'
And I can see the clouds rollin' by
Riders to the stars
We are sailin', we are soarin'
And all we can do is try
We are riders to the stars
We are riders to the stars​

 

[Patrick_68000]

especially if the bounty on my head was rather large

It's like the draw of the Euro millions, if the jackpot is not won, it is increased for the next draw

 

[Alpha Protocol]

This is the internet. Anything is possible. Ever heard of PSY?

 

[Seonid]

Oh I dunno ... after I have mercilessly slaughtered a few people I think you would believe me when I say "drop your cargo or die" especially if the bounty on my head was rather large

But wouldn't I see the bounty myself and just wave my pimms at the turret-wallahs to have at it?

 

[Aewarin Jameson]

But wouldn't I see the bounty myself and just wave my pimms at the turret-wallahs to have at it?

I will take your pimms (nice drink btw) and raise you a Jack'n'coke !

--

Re OP.

FD have said that they will balance all roles ... if players are too smart and run away / too aggressive for pirates to make a living then I guess the NPCs are going to get what for!

 

[Kawboy]

But what are you (pirates in general) going to do if all your hapless quarry can dump is a few Barry Mannilow records and a leaky container of Thargoid Slime?

If that's the case... they DESERVE to die..

 

[Kawboy]

re-focussing

There have been some very good points made here, and some interesting observations, but I still haven't heard any motivation for choosing this role. The risk is obviously extremely high, but I don't see any reward that would justify that risk. I'm sure Frontier will put some balance in there, but to me, this still looks like it isn't worth it. So far, I still see it at the same level as IRL. Sure, you can make some quick cash, but long term, as a career? I'm pretty sure I'll stick with:

Pony Express
Courier, Salvage and Exploration Services​

Cdr - Kawboy​

But I'm still interested in what would motivate you to be a pirate...

 

[Memnoch]

Stealing cargo is one thing, stealing the entire ship is another. That could make you some serious credits if it is possible, and there is a way of selling it on. It might be difficult with the possibility of only flying one ship.

 

[Kawboy]

Stealing cargo is one thing, stealing the entire ship is another. That could make you some serious credits if it is possible, and there is a way of selling it on. It might be difficult with the possibility of only flying one ship.

now THAT is one I hadn't considered.. they've stated that ship costs will be very high, so that might make the rewards system more credible as a pirate.. even the 'occasional' one..

I'm pretty sure there was something in another thread saying that stealing a ship was a possibility... agree with you that doing it in space might be a bit tricky.. tractor beams perhaps?

 

[Memnoch]

Earlier in the year there were some discussions on exploration and whether it would be possible to use some kind of limited auto-pilot. The idea was that some players wanted to get rewards for letting the game play itself while they go to bed and then wake up with loads of exploration credit or something similar. I'm pretty sure it was ruled out. But a limited autopilot that takes the ship back to the nearest space station would be useful in this instance. The question is: how do you justify or explain how the ship came to be in your possession? I think there would be too many questions to make it viable....unless you were selling to pirates in an anarchy system. How do you get it there in the first place though?

 

[Kawboy]

unless you were selling to pirates in an anarchy system. How do you get it there in the first place though?

Sell the coordinates? at a substantial discount of course

 

[Memnoch]

Yes, that would work wouldn't it! As long as the ship isn't destroyed by someone else, probably a player, you sell on the knowledge of its existence to an NPC, for a "finders" fee.

 

[Aewarin Jameson]

There have been some very good points made here, and some interesting observations, but I still haven't heard any motivation for choosing this role.

You don't actually "pick" a role as such .. more what you do defines what you are.

For example - let's say that pompous, flashy linen is your thing. (Empire) Whilst you earn your reputation with them, kissing rear and working your way up to the Emperor, as you travel around you could exclusively hunt down Federation scumbags ... in effect to the Empire you're a hero but to the Feds you're a pirate.

 

[Kawboy]

You don't actually "pick" a role as such .. more what you do defines what you are.

For example - let's say that pompous, flashy linen is your thing. (Empire) Whilst you earn your reputation with them, kissing rear and working your way up to the Emperor, as you travel around you could exclusively hunt down Federation scumbags ... in effect to the Empire you're a hero but to the Feds you're a pirate.

This one I can see to a certain extent. One man's angel is another's demon, but the threads/posts that I mentioned in the OP seem to indicate that many people want to deliberately be pirates, AS a chosen role. I still can't see any long term viability there, although the ship stealing scenario from the previous posts would certainly have potential for some risk/reward balancing!

 

[Kawboy]

Yes, that would work wouldn't it! As long as the ship isn't destroyed by someone else, probably a player, you sell on the knowledge of its existence to an NPC, for a "finders" fee.

and an equivalent 'punishment' if the ship wasn't there... perhaps a loss of reputation, lower offered prices the next time around, etc.. etc..

 

[Memnoch]

Or have pirates coming after you for wasting their time, on top of the attentions of bounty hunters and the police.

 

[Aewarin Jameson]

seem to indicate that many people want to deliberately be pirates, AS a chosen role.

That would be me then too ... HaHarr!

The thrill of being a scoundrel, chased by the galactic police and navy, plus draw the BHs like a moth to a flame .. sounds like a role made in heaven.

 

[jan]

To do privateering on behalf of the empire or federation ( letter of marque ) cud be a viable pirate option since then you will have many safe havens and option to Upgrade ship and Equipment or sell Your ill gotten loot , on the other hand some areas you will have a high notoriety and looked upon as a pirate and a scumbag.

Whit the cold war and diplomatic shenanigans empire vc federation then i think piracy as a viable job and one that can be fun to play.

 

[Memnoch]

Privateering would probably mean you end up being a lackey of the military, in effect a mercenary. That won't get you into trouble with the side you are on but the government of the ships that you attack are still going to consider you a pirate. They would still send bounty hunters after you I expect. In this case you would just have one enemy less to worry about!

Piracy will probably be quite a viable and fun career to follow, but at the same time a very edgy one, always on the lookout for approaching ships in case they are after you and being wary of which systems to jump in to.

 

[Kawboy]

That would be me then too ... HaHarr!

The thrill of being a scoundrel, chased by the galactic police and navy, plus draw the BHs like a moth to a flame .. sounds like a role made in heaven.

Life on the edge, eh?