Yet another suggestion to fix/improve Piracy: Letters of Marque.

[Terahurts]

I jotted these notes down quickly last night, so even more apologies for disjointed thinking and atrocious grammar. I pulled all percentages out of my exhaust tubes, and I'm sure I'm missing ways this could be exploited. Feel free to rip it to shreds. I'm using the term 'griefer' here to denote those players who kill-on-sight rather than those who engage in actual piracy.

I'm suggesting that Letters of Marque be introduced into the game in order to give piracy more meaning both for the pirates and their targets. For those of you who don't want to read through the whole Wikipedia link, this sums it up:

In the days of fighting sail, a letter of marque and reprisal was a government license authorizing a person (known as a privateer) to attack and capture enemy vessels and bring them before admiralty courts for condemnation and sale. Cruising for prizes with a letter of marque was considered an honorable calling combining patriotism and profit, in contrast to unlicensed piracy, which was universally reviled.
A "letter of marque and reprisal" would include permission to cross an international border to effect a reprisal (take some action against an attack or injury) authorized by an issuing jurisdiction to conduct reprisal operations outside its borders.

​

Here's how I see it working:
A LoM would be purchased by a player from a Power\Faction.
The holder receives 50% value of ship for a kill, or 60% ship + cargo purchase value if target submits to becoming a 'prize’ if target is non-aligned or neutral\cordial in system and 80% if target is PP aligned to another faction, can use current methods of take a little and allow target to leave.
Target can choose to fight, run, or submit. Fight or run and lose and normal 5% buyback applies. Submit and player is returned to nearest station with a choice of either 3% buyback or apply to LoM issuer for restitution with RNG chance of 2% - 80% payback, weighted towards low chance of high success, say 1 in 200 for 80% rising to 1 in 5 for a 2%, with increased chance if target is PP aligned.
Holder of LoM is automatically flagged as 'Privateer’ and in all systems not controlled by issuer has bounty equal to 5% total captured\killed prizes.
If a non-lom holding player pvps with (not kills) more than a certain number of other non-LoM cmdrs in non-anarchy systems they become wanted\persona non grata in all non-anarchy systems with high bounty with 10% chance of ship and half of player assets being stolen by anarchy system docks.

Pros
In-game reason to pirate
Reduced buyback for target with chance of no loss even if small
Griefers gradually lose ships and assets, unless they stick to anarchy systems whereas pirates have a real purpose.
Gives additional reason for PP involvement
Real danger in anarchy systems for all players; easier to find griefers, more chance of PvP encounters for both griefers and bounty hunters
Non aligned\neutral traders become low value, this would discourage pirate attacks on new players.
Holding a LoM\Privateer status indicates willingness to pvp
PvP still possible outside of anarchy systems, but requires a LoM.

Cons
Doesn't help explorers
Probably won't stop pad blocking and suicide-winder griefing.

 

[Iskariot]

Have some rep.

Some great ideas.
I would love a similar Letter of Marque system in the game.
I have proposed it myself and others have too.

In general I think the piracy system as well as the related bounty hunt system need to get fleshed out eventually.
I hope FD will find the time to do this rather sooner than later.

As I said the same fleshing out is needed for the bounty hunt system.
FD could make it much more interesting an deeper than it is now.


I wrote about it in some other thread I can't find now:

This is what I wrote.

I am a proponent of the implementation of bounty hunt licenses as a means to flesh out the bounty hunt mechanic.

I know this has been brought up before, but not quite in this way I believe.

Currently everybody can do bounty hunting and murdering and pirating at the same time.
I think that is 'somewhat' unrealistic and superficial.
We need more depth.
I think it would be great if we could buy a license to be able to bounty hunt with certain privileges in a certain area.
This license system would not replace the current bounty hunt system, but would add to it!

Having to buy a system license for every single system would be very inconvenient and unpractical.
Having to buy only one license per major faction (Federation, Empire, Alliance) would be too simplistic and easy.
But since Powerplay we have another political layer of just the right size.

I suggest that it would be perfect if we had to buy bounty hunt licenses per sphere of influence of the PowerPlay masters.
This way you would have the convenience of buying a license for multiple systems and it would also be a more dynamic affair as Powerplay systems can change hands. It would make things more interesting, because you would have to keep an eye on whether you have a license for the system you are in. It would make the bounty hunt business a bit less mindless and give it a bit more depth.
Of course to stay in character someone like Archon Delayne would not sell bounty hunt licenses to kill pirates.

As a side effect this system would make the PowerPlay political layer a littlebit more relevant for players who do not take part in PP.

This license system should have advantages:
- Owners of a license get a 5% bonus.
- It should allow bounty hunters with a license to hunt targets that do not have a local bounty! -
You will no longer become wanted for killing ships that do not have a local bounty, but do have a bounty in another system. THey even could have a bounty in another power's jurisdiction. With a license you are allowed to hunt them in every system that is under the control of the power you bought the bounty hunt license from.

There would be certain requirements for owning a license.
If you engage in criminal activities in the area for which you have a license, you would lose the bounty hunt license in any of the sytems that belong to that specific PowerPlay master. You will have to rebuy the license once you are no longer wanted.
You would still be able to bounty hunt without a license, but you can only attack ships that are wanted in the system you are in.

Where would you buy such a license?
It could be only in the capital of the power.
Or perhaps it could be in any control system of the power.

The price of the license would vary per power. A smaller power's license would be cheaper than a larger power's license.
If a power gains systems the license should become more expensive. A license could cost perhaps 10k for a large power? I am just guessing here.

But how would new players be able to pay for such a license?
You could still do normal bounty hunting without a license.
A starting player would not have be able to afford a full bounty hunt license, but there could also be another option:
If you take on a bounty hunt mission via the bulletin board you would automatically acquire a temporary bounty hunt license for the duration of your mission. Once you have fulfilled your contract the license expires automatically.
Of course this is a more limited form of bounty hunting, but it also would give the player a feeling of progression once he is able to buy a full license from a power.
Currently bounty hunt missions for the system you are in are very rare. Most of the time you are sent to a neighbouring system. This should change. It makes much more sense if the local governor issues frequent local bounty hunt missions too. Doesn't he want to get rid of those pirates in his local RES?

 

[goemon]

i think, i have read similar suggestions multiple times ---

but anyways, yes! we need letter of marques. especially in times of rising conflict between the superpowers.

 

[Tath]

I think 'Letters of Marque' is a wonderful suggestion, especially as it uses concepts hearkening back to the Golden Age of Sail. The idea of tying it to Power Play factions is also excellent.

The holder receives 50% value of ship for a kill, or 60% ship + cargo purchase value if target submits to becoming a 'prize’ if target is non-aligned or neutral\cordial in system and 80% if target is PP aligned to another faction, can use current methods of take a little and allow target to leave.

I do have some concerns regarding these percentages - I suggest to you they are too high. I would rationalise the values should be smaller:

Local Bounty + KWS Bounties + Ship Size Bonus % + Cargo Bonus % = sizable sum.

Unlike maritime practices where the majority of the value is paid to the Privateer, I would suggest here the Issuer keeps most. It has to be realised, a Privateer in a historical context would not succeed against as many foes, as an Elite space pilot would.

You will no longer become wanted for killing ships that do not have a local bounty, but do have a bounty in another system. They even could have a bounty in another power's jurisdiction. With a license you are allowed to hunt them in every system that is under the control of the power you bought the bounty hunt license from.

I would counter argue the local authorities might still consider you a 'Criminal' in certain circumstances and put a price on your head. I understand the idea of a Letter of Marque being issued in a 'King's Name', but those local authorities might be corrupt and working with the Pirates the Privateer is targeting. In the interest of story and keeping the Privateer on their toes, a small chance of unexpected circumstances would add to the tension.

 

[DLewth]

I like this idea, although the pirates may not ("Badges? We don't need no stinkin' badges!"): It would be nice to see "proper" piracy improved.

I'm not sure about non-holders getting a bounty for non-fatal pvping, though: That would apply to me and you, next time we accidentally hit someone in a conflict zone. A loophole-proof way to cut down on griefing would certainly be nice, but I'm not sure this is it...