Love the crew cost hate the ai

[Mrdoomed]

I love the crew cost now and so far have seen nothing but positive.

What ive seen so far,

Less line ships in open world and many many more ships from brig to frigates out in the world.

Less people atracking empty ports and rage boarding towers for easy drops and are now in the open world sailing.

Hve fought 7 pvp battles in 2 days and all the captains have fought smarter rather than suicide rushing me and shooting sails in order to board.

So far ive been able to turm a profit every day and have fought several larger ships.

Who i think this effects is the mission grinders who were used to just taking a paval or connie and doing hard missins figting to the last man for massive free xp....now that xp is not free THANKS YOU for encouraging them to play in open world.

It also seems to be keeping people from sailing undercrewed because of the fear of loss.

Bottom line seems that if you play smart and realistically and not suicidal for xp you can do well. It also encourages so it seems to get people to fight ai ships in open sea rather than missions because ive been seeing people pop outa battle all along the coast for the first time in ages.

So far i hope the crew cost stays the same but would like to see two changes. 1. Let crews replenish slowly over time to simulate wpunded coming back or men lost at sea comming back or guys hearing rumors of your greatness who want to join .

2. Maybe if you keep your crews alive and not constantly have to replenish most of them the veterans could gain a small bonus to ship duties. Nothing big but maybe a little bit for each week the survive.

Ai fleets...i hate them. Only good thing ive found is that when ive got a trader with ai fleet i just sink all of them instead of caping. More xp and gold then the cargo probably and it makes the player suffer for losing all his crew so next time he dont use fleet.

[Captain Holman]

For 1. A surgeon is what you need for this - they will slowly un-murderise crew

 

2. Sounds good actually, would make sense if a lot of crew stay alive they get buffs, as experience beats any sort of training and crews would get more efficient over time. Maybe something like more experienced crew become Bos'un or Midshipmen and have a general buff over the crew?

[Anne Wildcat]

+1. I like crew costs. I also like how crew is refilled from your stock so there is no need to go back to port after every battle.

[Godders]

I like the idea of managing crew also but it means more expense having to either buy medical kits almost after every engagement -or in my case begin to delve into the black art that is crafting for the first time and make my own medical kits -I'm beginning to think being in a clan is a absolute necessity otherwise a solo player is condemned to sailing low end vessels -as all monies made is spent replacing men -unless I'm thinking about it all wrong ?

[Hethwill, the Red Duke]

I hate to say this but, bluntly put crew is working like an insurance of sorts. Don't fly what you can't afford. Always have cash in reserve.

[Mrdoomed]

I like the idea of managing crew also but it means more expense having to either buy medical kits almost after every engagement -or in my case begin to delve into the black art that is crafting for the first time and make my own medical kits -I'm beginning to think being in a clan is a absolute necessity otherwise a solo player is condemned to sailing low end vessels -as all monies made is spent replacing men -unless I'm thinking about it all wrong ?

I think that depends on what you consider a small ship. If what you consider fun is only 1st rates and massive pve battles maybe but if you enjoy playing in frigates or brigs in some fun ow pvp action then you can do well and make profits.

Im in a small clan that operates as pirates who only do pvp or on occasion ai trade ships but dont mess with pbs and grand fleet action and we do well in solo play and rarely use larger than a frigate.

Managed to cap a ingermanland in my connie last night in pvp with minimal crew loss so for me the crew change is great. Keep the ocean from being all 1st rates.