Requesting stance from FLS on blockadegriefing

[Ryokan76]

FLS did state that time griefing was a problem, it was the only reason why group strength was introduced: to combat it.

[beltpouch]

Originally Posted by firewalker22 Ha HA HA HA HA HA LOL Getting a definitive stance from FLS...Good Luck. I supposed there is a first time for everything.

Actually FLS use to be the best game company on the planet for giving definitive stances. But that was a long time ago, before the metamorphosis happened.

[stokes234]

Originally Posted by GB I don't know why so called time-griefing (hate that expression) is breaking the rules, heck it has always been good tactics to slow down your opponent for whatever reason in War or RvR. Potbs was designed intentionally to obstruct or slow down another players economy. Do you complain of time-griefing if one side slows you down so you get often de-masted & sunk. There is only so much FLS can do to enforce rules. As far as I know they will only look into "griefing" if someone is intentionally out to ruin another specific persons game, everything else is normal FFA RvR warfare as built in by design.

The initial idea was full RvR. But it has to be within the bounds of fun. If a group is blockading your port, the answer should be to sink it, not to attack it with a minerva or hermes, and grind it down with another speed fitted group. That is not fun, that is just rubbish. There is no point leaving in so many ways to fight a war while avoiding pvp, if the only reason for introducing the mechanic in the first place was to tie pvp and RvR closer together.

In answer to your question, no - I do not complain about game mechanics if I am demasted and sunk. I may complain that those players are gankers, but at the end of the day it was my fault for not avoiding the gank or having group members. But there is no way to avoid time griefing. As roberto says, a max speed failboat cannot be caught, because the best you can do in response is max speed another failboat, which will do the same speed in battle, resulting in no catch.

I do however complain about game mechanics when my opponents aim in RvR is to tag me on the OS then run away in battle. Thats not fighting, thats preventing your enemy from fighting. No skill was involved whatsoever. The game should revolve around skill, not numbers.

[SkttLes]

Originally Posted by Ryokan76 FLS did state that time griefing was a problem, it was the only reason why group strength was introduced: to combat it.

And it completely failed to do anything about it. 2 mini MCs attack 6 first rates.

[GB.]

Originally Posted by SkttLes And it completely failed to do anything about it. 2 mini MCs attack 6 first rates.

Six grouped first rates should be attackable while blockading by smaller groups & ships, especially if you are sitting outside their port! If you don't like it or feel its wasting your time don't sit around doing nothing, attack npc fleets to get your contention points.

[stokes234]

Originally Posted by GB Six grouped first rates should be attackable while blockading by smaller groups & ships, especially if you are sitting outside their port! If you don't like it or feel its wasting your time don't sit around doing nothing, attack npc fleets to get your contention points.

Lets say you have two nations. One has a bunch of 1st and 2nd rates, a few random groups of heavy frigates, and some griefboats. Another nation has just one group of heavy frigates. Without time-griefing, this is a test of skill to see if the underpopulated nation is good enough to fight the larger nations groups, and chances are if they are good enough, they can win the flip. With time-griefing an option, the larger force automatically wins the flip.

Which do you think is better? And what exactly do you think time-griefing brings to the game?

[GB.]

Originally Posted by stokes234 Lets say you have two nations. One has a bunch of 1st and 2nd rates, a few random groups of heavy frigates, and some griefboats. Another nation has just one group of heavy frigates.

Time wasting is not "griefing" in the true sense of the word.

In your example above without the ability for the smaller nation to try to frustrate your blockading they would have no hope to win against six first rates as they would be massively outgunned in battle; perhaps that's why they run!

[kblack]

Maybe you should form groups of speed-fitted hunters to cover your blocakding groups? I remember the first times at Rackham, and every operation was a mix of econ, heavy PVP, and what we called "wolf-pack", specifically going to split and slow the enemy heavies.

Anyway, to avoid this I proposed that either a port is being blockaded, or it is being patrolled (forcing to fight). And a player should stay with the bloackde (or patrolling attribute) as long he doesn't move in the OS - or dies. (But as long he is in a instance, he should keep putting points)

Just my 0,02 db

[stokes234]

Originally Posted by kblack Maybe you should form groups of speed-fitted hunters to cover your blocakding groups? I remember the first times at Rackham, and every operation was a mix of econ, heavy PVP, and what we called "wolf-pack", specifically going to split and slow the enemy heavies. Anyway, to avoid this I proposed that either a port is being blockaded, or it is being patrolled (forcing to fight). And a player should stay with the bloackde (or patrolling attribute) as long he doesn't move in the OS - or dies. (But as long he is in a instance, he should keep putting points) Just my 0,02 db

Thats a good suggestion, but along with crossteaming, a group could attack themselves with their alts on another nation, and patrol or blockade without risk. But something like this would be a nice idea, imo.

[elessaria]

Originally Posted by Ryokan76 I would also like to know if cross-teaming as a pirate and capturing your own ships is now allowed. Not holding my breath, though.

With the exception of the cross-teaming; this has never been against FLS policy. Their stance has always been that if you build the boat on a national it's yours to do with as you wish. Having 2 nations on the same server WAS against the rules but now isn't. Selling dura for profit was against the rules and continues to be so.