Hethwill, the Red Duke

What is needed is mechanics, conquest mechanics, that make sure every major timezone can participate. Not more nations. Regarding player nationalities and from what I've seen in the community the internationality is now well cemented across all nations and pirates with all 3 major timezones present in all nations. Only the reclusive ( or out-of-game nationalistic mongrels ) think otherwise. Iwouldn't mind to see the map changed a bit, like pushing the focus north to eliminate the Pacific area ( 20% of the map being unplayable ) and having more north America coast available with the Carolinas up for grabs and some nice privateer RP.

Can be improved once and IF complex crew mechanics, like prize crews, supplies, etc, are developed.

In OW UI to have the equipped Guns and Modules listed.

Did the same for a little while but was using full complement of 12 pounders and fine lightweight ropes for good measure. It would keep up with the job, but just. Not really advisable and as Prater points out, it can be fine in a group but if you happen to come across competent captains it will be long odds.

No idea. Hasn't been tested. But gives every player a chance to play and maybe even spread the population evenly across the nations ? As I said, not tested.

- message to Jo - Damn it Jo, this smuggling runs will be the end of me. This last deal went fine for sure but had to go through two Dutch patrols, one of which really wanted to verify my papers ( what papers ? ) and gladly the other one was led by a mutual friend. I hope you take care of things on your side with the handouts. They are corrupt and happy with comfort and wealth. Other than that is not easy to go through the lagoon, with so many unknown black flags around plus the wandering British patrols, with such cargo but I will always get my way about, I hope. . That amount of carriages suffices for now I am sure. I also threw in the bonus stash from what I plundered from the other dutch traders. Two grade notes, a medium and a high, plus all excess gold for another two notes, and more frame parts for your project. Will have a new shipment ready in three days. Make sure you have the new lady ready. I will try to get you some silver. Yesterday almost got a full shipment from a former comrade coming from La Vela if it wasn't for the interference of one of the patrols. Talked my way out of it anyway so no big loss. I bet he was full of it... Laters and compliments to the LD lads. If we do not meet in 3 days...well... maybe I am strung up in some gallows... -

( wow, awesome ! )

Jean Reno for serious business. Or Le Gerard Depardieu for the goofy business.

8 hours windows, not 12. 24 / 3 = 8 3 main time zones - EU, US, OCEANIA Everyone can have a go at the cake. Set timer. It creates 2 additional timers at +6 and at +12. Fun for everyone.

- commercial break - Just arrived at the Office...

You should avoid a certain Dutch Nation captain then

It is worth testing. Discussion about it going on http://forum.game-labs.net/index.php?/topic/12939-player-merchant-ships-counter-tag/

Nothing beats the good old privateer/lynx combination when hitting trader routes, especially ambushing player coming out from a known production town. It might not have the staying power of other ships but you will dictate the fight, and as the objective is to prize cargo shipping or run away if interrupted there is no better choice. And in the event of having to fight it out, both of them will be a nasty shock to the less competent captain muahahaha. If it is for hitting and sinking enemy shipping anything will do. Have run a full 6 pounder Suprise fully equipped for shooting and it really takes care of business. Any Renomee coming one on one will be on for a shock ( but then even the privateer can make the renomee run away with the pride between its planks ). Surprisingly or not a Pirate Frigate, npc sold ship, with the teak speed configuration, and equipped with copper plating is a very good option for a cheap price. Put some spare marines company and equip it fully with 12 pounders and you might get suprised by how fast it gets the job done. Note: I favour mediums over any other types so when talking about the guns I always refer to mediums.

Plan route before leaving port. It is not even remotely challenging after a while, although sometimes one gets lost, which is nice. Take one session to sail about your chosen nation area and learn the landscape. You will start to know which town is which just by the landscape and landmarks.

Sounds good. It is good fun with the reward and risk involved and surely warrants, for all nations, its own mechanics along with the player based mission types such as escorts etc.

Hence reducing the means xp in favour of the end xp. Either do it or don't.

The bonus is crippling the opponent enough to make victory a certainty. I would even reduce the XP but enhance the kill and assist bonus. Shooting sails and modules is just means to an end.

Despite the overkill situations and myself advocating a confidence build, from within the clans, in many captains so they do not fall into the mob attack ( which does nothing to improve the skill, be as a team be as a individual player ) I also understand that the Open World has a lot of PvP that is not ideal but is part of the tactics and strategy as Vaan de Vries points out. The Duels will be here, for us to test the ships and eventually to test our own skills. What I know is that many captains lack the confidence to engage in combat without the total comfort of numbers and risk little. This cannot be changed by any mechanic.

Then.. Smart PvP is engaging the enemy with the least resources possible aka. the least ships for the maximum effect ( sink the enemy ) Rest is just PvP

Indeed. But I get where Mayhem is trying to get to. Even if a equal interception is made, let's say a frigate tags a frigate, nine out of 10 times the target will try to disengage. Apply same rule for renomees, trincs and similar. Now a 6v6 is always a good match and gankers more often than not, DO avoid these at all costs even when in equal measure of ships and numbers. There are notable exceptions that give way to the best of Naval Action.

- letter to a friend - To the most commendable and trustworthy friend, which never forgets where true allegiance lies, Kapitan P.b My good friend, I must thank you yet again for speaking on my behalf to your peers, many of whom I do not recognize their ensigns. I must conclude the Prince has sent reinforcements from Europe along with the new cadets to this side of the World no doubt to bolster the Fleet and the upcomign plans for a new war. It is hard to reach any good contact on the Keys. Despite the Charleston tragedy I am still working to achieve the results we expect and the route should be safe but all rests in your planners. I must confide I found myself quite breathless with the sight from yesterday upon my arrival at the Hyena base. There I was setting sail watching this combat from afar, could decidedly see a dozen ships flying the black giving chase to other three or four flying the Independent Colonies flag when all of the sudden the horizon became alive with sails. What a wonder any captain would say, what a vision. I must confess also terrified for flying the hyena black put me into the line of battle but given the overeagerness of the hasty dutch captains the interception was far from exemplar. A terrible mess I must say and would he be under my command he would be brought for a reprimand. But I jest with you sir, and I keep focused on the task at hand. The route we planned for the Silver Fleet is surely the best given the prevalent westbound current and winds and I only predict any danger passing through those straights. You navigation goes wrong and you get stranded in those shallows for a dozen hours. Please consider that with our associates. Furthermore I wagered a bounty on your command, to keep it for real and not arouse any suspicions. Apparently they call it the Black Bear Roulette and every captain wagers on whom is going the next bounty to be collected. Quite fun I must say and I've heard the prize on you has risen considerably. I wonder if any of your associates thinks you more... dispensable than others. Your loyal friend, The Hyena p.s. - tell Mr. H.v.G. that all his efforts are attracting attention. You have seen pirate fleets setting up camp at my town. Eventually they will gain enough strength and I wonder when they will be able to raid one of the towns. -

Colours, actually the bright green / bright red might stand out better given the limited shades perception.

Can you describe the mechanic fully ? Thanks

There is no definite pirate history unless you are following individual captain exploits. Other than that just out-of-the-caribbean pirate history that is. The big unbalancing issue here is that to propose this for pirates then, to keep it true to form, one must also redefine the national ports and most especially the shipyards. Not many could be used for 74's anchorage except at large. And even less, quite a handfull actually across all map, had the docks to even build anything above frigate level. So, despite all honorable intentions it will not happen, not in this way, due to historical credibility versus game compromise. Maybe another way can be found.

Opening way to the War & Peace development and given my altruistic nature I have been thinking a lot on the pains and aches of our fellow trader and crafters. So I propose we all discuss the following and even add one or more points: 1. Enable the Delivery system to ALL outposts. Not only between Free Ports as we have now. The base fee is high enough to warrant this plus the tonnage fee adds even more to this. Plus the time it takes to deliver cargo is quite a balancer. This enables more goods to be moved about without resorting to further teleport mechanics ( except for diabling all cargo from teleport ). 2. Open ports to all traders from all Nations. Pirates excluded. This is a highly controversial one for sure but it could be tested before the War&Peace comes into play. Traders not from that nation cannot place contracts nor build any structures of course. They can only sell and buy ONLY all types of resources and manufactured goods. Ships and Upgrades not included, nor can they be sold. Prices for foreigners shall always be the listed times 1.5 and never above 250 tons ( not units ) per species - meaning 250 tons of coal, 250 tons of wine, etc - never above 250 TONS per item type. When War&Peace diplomacy comes in this sytem can be tuned to enable allies only.