What about a ransom system?

[Lucky Shot]

First of all, I'm sorry if "ransom" isn't the right term to describe what I have in mind, english is not my native language.

 

I'm thinking about in battle negotiations, meaning the ability to leave the battle by paying a fee to the opposing faction.

 

I'll make some examples to better explain. You're sailing a merchant ship and you get attacked by a player and you know you won't be able to escape or fight back. You have the ability to ask him if he's willing to accept money/part of your cargo to spare your ship instead. He can make counter proposals and when both parties agree you are immediately removed from the fight and teleport to a port or given extended invisibility as if you lost the battle to prevent the player from chasing and attacking you again. Or the attacking player could directly ask for money upon opening the battle to let you flee. If there are multiple attackers, a vote should be in place and the ransom would be split between them.

 

Or you're in a battle and you realize you're not going to win. Right now the surrender option is useless since it has the same outcome as if you sank. You could surrender and save your ship in exchange for money.

 

Thoughts?

[Henry d'Esterre Darby]

I can't think of a good way to code this that doesn't result in exploits and other issues.

[xAzDKr]

Not a bad idea, would be hard with the AI to code them to be "reasonable" and is obviously focused on PVP instead of PVE. Would add an interesting dynamic to trading and piracy. I like it.

[Galileus]

I can't think of a good way to code this that doesn't result in exploits and other issues.

 

This. Could be used as a teleport, could be used to extend your invulnerability when attacking ports, or multiple hostiles could chain-attack you.

[Lucky Shot]

Maybe it could work if after agreeing to a ransom you couldn't be attacked by just the player who took your money and let you go.