A lot of this post is just wrong. They do NOT attack the richest ports. Also, only one port in the Gulf of Mexico has been attacked since this started. We had the 6th highest tax rate, but our port was the only developed port attacked.
They do NOT take advantage of the existing wind, they pick whatever wind direction that makes it the easiest for them. Since you can't scout, it's just a guess as to what direction they're going to come from.
They IGNORE BR totally. We just fought a fleet that was 18 ENDYMIONS and 6 Indias for a BR of 5940 in a 5000 BR limit PB.
And then the admin screwed up the update, the traders are worth 325 points, warships are worth 15 points.
It's fairly upsetting to first not get the info you need to make a plan, and then to make matters worse, the info we do get is quite often totally wrong.