Why can we not enter fleet battles?

[Bit]

I am sitting in a huge circle around maracaibo just so I can join enemy fights and debuff the players for the NPC's. Yet, as they tackle I cannot enter if they are in the pirate zone and I am a privateer. Tell me again, someone, that this is just broken. I thought we were going to b able to enter these fights now, or at least do something to stop an enemy from gouging conquest on PB's, but alas that does not seem to be true.

[Not Primetime]

I believe its' only in a full blown PvP circle. Also if the player is voluntarily flagged for PvP outside the circles.

[Snap]

If the NPCs are of your own nation, you should be able to join. We've double-checked this in-house and found it to be working fine. If you're unable to join when the NPCs are of your own nation, please let us know.

Currently there are no situations in which more than two nations get involved in a battle. It's possible that this could change in the future, in which case you'd presumably be allowed to join in to help defend any NPC, as long as the attacker is flagged or in the red circle.

[Bit]

Snap -

Let me be specific and maybe you can test it out.

Maracaibo was in full conquest and a PB was scheduled. It was Spain V Britain on Rackham.

I was on a privateer in an Expedition Packet Boat.

The Brits were pulling 8 fleets right outside Cape De Vela - which put them in the Pirate PvP circle. I watched them sail close to the fleet - it said Spanish Patrolling Fleet (8) and they would attack it. I would sail right up to the fight and never get a "you may enter this battle" green circle.

I could not enter the fights. I did not have preparing ship and all I did was wait for them to pull so I could hit the fights and assist the NPC's, I was flagged for PvP and they were not.

Should I submit a ticket? Those have not gotten me very far in the past with issues like this regarding conquest.

[Michael O'Dwyer]

Originally Posted by Bit Snap - Let me be specific and maybe you can test it out. Maracaibo was in full conquest and a PB was scheduled. It was Spain V Britain on Rackham. I was on a privateer in an Expedition Packet Boat. The Brits were pulling 8 fleets right outside Cape De Vela - which put them in the Pirate PvP circle. I watched them sail close to the fleet - it said Spanish Patrolling Fleet (8) and they would attack it. I would sail right up to the fight and never get a "you may enter this battle" green circle. I could not enter the fights. I did not have preparing ship and all I did was wait for them to pull so I could hit the fights and assist the NPC's, I was flagged for PvP and they were not. Should I submit a ticket? Those have not gotten me very far in the past with issues like this regarding conquest.

I wonder if it's due to the size of the fleet being 8 and the normal limit on number of group being limited to 6. I know the devs did some tweeking of this code recently so it may be a bug caused by that.

[TheRooster]

I'm not 100% sure, but I think you can only join with NPCs in the inner circle. The full PvP zone, not the pirate PvP zone.

[Snap]

Originally Posted by Bit Snap - Let me be specific and maybe you can test it out. Maracaibo was in full conquest and a PB was scheduled. It was Spain V Britain on Rackham. I was on a privateer in an Expedition Packet Boat. The Brits were pulling 8 fleets right outside Cape De Vela - which put them in the Pirate PvP circle. I watched them sail close to the fleet - it said Spanish Patrolling Fleet (8) and they would attack it. I would sail right up to the fight and never get a "you may enter this battle" green circle. I could not enter the fights. I did not have preparing ship and all I did was wait for them to pull so I could hit the fights and assist the NPC's, I was flagged for PvP and they were not. Should I submit a ticket? Those have not gotten me very far in the past with issues like this regarding conquest.

The reason you were unable to enter the fights, is that this took place in the pirate PvP circle. When neither of the nations involved is pirate, it's as if the circle doesn't exist. Therefore, it's not a PvP situation -- it's just as if the Brits attacked that Spanish fleet in open water outside of any red circle. This is as designed -- the whole point of the pirate PvP circle is that it's only PvP when pirates are involved. Thus, the general rule that you can't interfere with other players' PvE fights applies.

Sounds like there's potential for confusion over this, though, as you seem perfectly clear-headed and it wasn't obvious to you what was going on. I'm not sure what we might do to make it more apparent why you can't join. Perhaps you could get some red text somewhere saying "this is not a PvP battle" or something... I'll bring it up with Fraxl. We're changing the rules of engagement somewhat in 1.7, and there's some talk about improving the battle marker UI soonish, but I AFAIK neither of those things will affect this exact issue. Well, apart from the overall simplification of the rules regarding what is and isn't PvP (they're a little baroque now).

[Snap]

Originally Posted by Michael O'Dwyer I wonder if it's due to the size of the fleet being 8 and the normal limit on number of group being limited to 6. I know the devs did some tweeking of this code recently so it may be a bug caused by that.

NPCs do not count towards the side limit, as of 1.5.

[Bit]

Ok, then let me officially state the whole thing is useless.

All an enemy nation has to do is sit outside a nearby port in the pirate circle, use their invincibility and attack patrolling fleets from invincibility. How are you supposed to defend the port or your NPC's when they can safely pull fleets without risk in a pirate circle.

Adjust this so that Privateers may enter the battle in the Pirate circle, or groups with Privateers, give us one good use besides sleek hercs for range and speed please. Are we not sanctioned pirates from our nation? Historically, this works.

[Bit]

Originally Posted by Snap This is as designed -- the whole point of the pirate PvP circle is that it's only PvP when pirates are involved. Thus, the general rule that you can't interfere with other players' PvE fights applies.

And Sanctioned Pirates right? I hope you see my point here. All privateers are able to be attacked in the Pirate PvP circle, and we are able to attack anyone in them. What you have just clarified for me is that you forgot that there were Privateers, not terribly surprising given the recent buffs to other classes and the whole design of the buccaneer.