Conquest: Player vs. Player Zones (AKA Red Circles) 
In addition to fighting other players in port battles, players can also attack each other on the Open Sea, in what we refer to as Ad-hoc PvP. Players can only attack each other when they are in certain areas of the Open Sea, where law and order has broken down. These areas are referred to as PvP zones, or Red Circles, so called because they appear as a Red Circle on the map.
There are two different kinds of PvP zones: Pirate PvP zones and Full PvP zones. Each one has some special rules that we will discuss. Then well cover the general rules for Ad-hoc PvP battles.
Pirate PvP
Pirate PvP zones represent a minor breakdown in law and order. Law abiding citizens are still respecting each other, but Pirates and Privateers are no longer avoiding conflict with other nations for fear of naval reprisal. Pirate PvP zones are created around ports that have entered the Increased Tensions state, between 3,000 and 5,999 unrest, as well as ports that have recently been raided by Pirates.
In a Pirate PvP zone, Pirates and Privateers level 15 and above can attack players from other nations. Privateers below level 15, as well as Freetraders and Naval Officers, cannot attack each other. However they can engage any outlaws (Privateers above level 15 and Pirates) they see skulking around.
While law abiding citizens cannot start trouble in a Pirate PvP zone, they can most certainly help members of their nation they see engaged in combat, regardless of who started it. Because of this, it is common to see several Naval Officers or Freetraders accompanying a Privateer into a Pirate PvP zone, and attacking hostile targets as a group. While the Crown frowns on such scofflaw behavior, they are technically within their rights, and so the government turns a blind eye to these actions.
Full PvP
A Full PvP zone represents a complete breakdown in the rule of law. Citizens will respect members of their own nation, but all bets are off when it comes to foreign vessels. Full PvP zones are created around ports that are in the Civil Unrest state, 6,000 to 9,999 unrest, and the Contention state in the lead up to a port battle.
In a Full PvP zone, any player may attack any other player of another nation. Players may not attack other players from their own nation.
Ad-hoc PvP Rules
When 
an Ad-Hoc Battle on the Open Sea begins, players are placed at an initial spawn location with their opponents placed nearby. Reinforcements spawn farther from the starting locations. Even farther out, there are eight escape points. The start of every Ad-Hoc Battle begins with a timer (the Battle Start Timer) that prevents everyone from moving. This timer gives players time to zone in and evaluate their opponents. Once the timer expires, combat begins. After that new players may still join the battle, but they will do so as reinforcements, starting farther away from the initial players in the battle. The escape points at the edges of the area allow for a safe exit, but are difficult to reach.
Battles are limited to a maximum of six players per side. When the Battle Start Timer expires, if only one attacker and one defender are present, the battle becomes locked and no other players may join.
Wind direction inside the Ad-Hoc Battle is determined by the position of the wind relative to the attacker when on the Open Sea. Players should keep their eyes on the wind and the reinforcement spawn points as they formulate their strategies.
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