why is there a pirate nation?

[Black Caesar]

From what I know of the history there was a coordinated attempt to have Pirate structure and Pirate coordinated goals and objectives to keep the Nats off the Pirates, and keep Nats fighting each other, leading to more opportunity for pirates to do what they like to do.

That said I agree that the low populatin nation or the last place nation in the game should be able to hire pirates for PBs. This will help prevent a lot of cross teaming...perhaps. Pirate participation should be limited to one six fleet maximum, and in PB thier ships colored different from the nats on the radar map. Thier pay should be double the normal amount if the PB is won.

Such a game/rule change will bring more politics in the game instead of the us against them exclusivitity that it is now....Pirates cut deals and helped where it was in thier interest or the pay was good. Right now they have to be a Nat to do that.

[Pnakotic]

Why would nats want to give rats free MoVs for showing up to their PBs in failboats and running away?

[redcent]

thanks for expanding on this notion. i am reletively new, so the opinions of veteran players will hopefully bring these dynamics to light and maybe even make it to the design floor

[Graendithas]

Originally Posted by redcent i post this question not as a programmer or designer, but as an end user. players interested in teamwork and nationbuilding are nats, and players interested in solo careers naturally lean to the rat nation, and so do not work as well together. also there is the historical aspects of the roles pirates played in this geograpiic area, more the 'independent contractor', or hired gun, both alligning and doublecrossing the three nations in play than a fourth contending power in the region. it would seem that pirates should be able to gatecrash the pb's of the nats ...in essence the wild card... raid enemy ports (with no ability to conquer) and have fewer, raidable but unconquerable ports (as pirates tend to scatter wen faced by lines of lineships). it would also seem that if pirates are expected to bear the responsibilities of nationhood, the benefits of freetraders and lineships would also be within our structured society.

First of all, I spaced out your wall of text... Secondly.. You come in here new, start talking about stuff you know nothing about. Apparently you haven't seen a 6 group of VPA or SnD in a 6v6 or 24 of us in a Port Battle.

The game is fun the way it is, but am trying to get the devs to make it to where pirates can face pirates, Hopefully they start working on it. You talk like the entire pirate nation is weak. Well for the most part your absolutely right. Most of the rats sail around in gank groups, get split on the OS and have no idea what the hell they are doing.

A handful of us, the dedicated PvPers, port flippers, nat stompers are out there constantly looking for fights. We get the job done. Problem with most pirates is that they don't listen to the vets, they want to do things their way and always get sunk then STILL want to do things their way even thought its not working. Anyways, pay attention to the pirates who actually play this game for the competition, strategy, tactics and PvP, then you'll see whats really going on.

[jameshd69]

I think the idea behind the OP has some merit. However pirates in the 1720's where not just hey here I am make me captain and give me a ship. They where nationals (normally privateers) who went further than there Letters of Mark would allow, became an outlaw, started to sabatage other ships to make db. It was different for every pirate. But in this game every new player rolls a rat so we always have new players to teach the ropes. After learn the game they do one of 2 things. Stick with piracy and become a descent competitor or reroll a nat because they want LineShips.

I always thought PotBS should have had a different name. I mean seriously on Rob we have Very Heavy PoP with a sht load of 50's but only a handful of descent Sea Dogs surrounder by a bunch of bilge rats. Personally I am one of the bilge rats for now. Who knows what I will be once I learn the game better. After being awy from it since 2 months of release up till 2 weeks ago.

But if you like the idea making it more realistic to the time check out my post about changting nations. I think it might be a start in the right direction.