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Storage v. Plunder: Merchants facing player pirates

lefox271lefox271 Posts: 495Member Intermediate
General Discussion
I've managed to avoid encounters with player pirates until today. My tactics are just to sail at times of the day when activity in the game is lower, and to take less obvious routes on the assumption pirates have to play probabilities and go where merchant ships are most likely to be.

On this occasion I'd spent the night in Aden and when I logged on in the morning there was a pirate sitting in the port. He/she had Maritime 55, was in some kind of galley, and had 600 crew. I have Maritime 21, 42 crew, and heading East from Aden a speed of about 5 1/2 knots. 

I only keep 3 battle skills: Gunnery (R2); Leadership (R2) and Swordplay (R3). An uneven contest or what? LOL.

There was no way I was going to have my day spoiled by sitting around waiting for him to leave. So I thought I'd test out my Storage skill against his Plunder.

I have two characters. I reduced the petty cash on each ship to 150k. Both characters had R10 Storage, but I added some extra gear so the lead ship was R10+4 (aide skill plus 2 items), and the other was R10+5 (same plus clothing item).

I thought, "if I'm going to be boarded then it'll be on my terms", so we hauled anchor, reefed back the sails to make about 2 knots and started fishing. 

The pirate of course came after me - I think he must have been powered by an outboard. The lead ship got off one broadside and scratched his paintwork, before being grappled and boarded. The second ship got off some good broadsides and even damaged a sail.

Next thing the pirate offers deck battle. Well - I'm wearing a dress with def 10, and carrying Tristan's Sword atttack 28. Hmmm ... I think not. LOL.

Well he raided the petty cash and took away 90k. He helped himself from my water and food provisions. AND OH MY GOD HE PLUNDERED MY PRECIOUS CARGO. 

HE STOLE 3 FISH.

ROFL.

But seriously folks - I was pleased how my Storage Skill stood up to the attack. When I start Nanban I'll be sailing at R16 +4 or 5. I don't think I've got much to be worried about. I think the lesson is make sure you grind your Storage Skill. To be honest, if I need a spare skill slot I'd even consider dropping Gunnery for all the difference it will ever make.

Postscript:

The most annoying thing about being attacked is the way it destroys the crews morale and sets their competence to 0. but even that had an upside ...

... because the funniest thing ever was how rebellious the crew became afterwards. (Which is why Leadership Skill is handy). They eventually mutinied. My Aide rooted-out the ringleader and hanged him from the yard arm. I thought that was hilarious.
THawk420

Comments

  • THawk420THawk420 Posts: 210Member Trainee
    i see ya had no equipment loses to report n the pirate didn't even get any spice or was fish all ya had
  • BlakeCBlakeC Posts: 113Member Trainee
    The pirates rank in plunder skill also has a determination effect how much loot they get from their prey. Plunder, however, is slow to rank up whereas Storage is pretty easy to grind plus there's a ton of booster equipment for it, not to mention those Miser Chains that gives +5 for about 15-20 seconds. I imagine most player pirates dont have a high rank in plunder so for the time being at least you shouldn't have much to worry about.
  • TwitchalotTwitchalot Posts: 263Member Intermediate
    I'm sensing that this is part and parcel with the "what can and can not be Plundered" issue going on atm. If not, ok, If so, not knowing is the worst part of this. I've asked for a Plunderable/not Plunderable list in Suggestion. Until then, be VERY careful outside EU/Medd, don't carry ANYTHING you'd really get angry over losing outside that area, and hope the list get posted soon, if ever. Because yes, having r10+ Storage is very helpful at preventing loss when attacked, but it's not a 100% guarantee against it.
    IGN: Henrique_dePortugal, formerly CullumStraun - aka O Tigro Branco(The White Tiger)
    - Director of new_world_company
    Alt: Christopher_de_Haro, formerly William_Adams - temporary Deputy Director of new_world_company

    Pay It Forward - It's what we do
  • HelloAllHelloAll Posts: 701Member Intermediate
    He had 600 crew? I thought the titanic sank already
  • theedgedemontheedgedemon Posts: 237Member Trainee
    @HelloAll  i could swear by the nine that i have seen the same profile pic with another name.

    back in topic the titanic did sink, but we salvaged it and made it a UWC ship you can get for only 10k $
    Desire spawns madness, madness collapses into disaster.
    mankind never learns...
  • gd6noobgd6noob Posts: 31Member Beginner
    There are ships out with 600crew!?!?!?! LMAO a bit exaggerating, which also would put doubt his little story.. lmao
  • aceman39aceman39 Posts: 943Member Intermediate
    I have not even seen a crew with 600 on the OGP days. I wouldn't want to have to feed that crew dang
  • TwitchalotTwitchalot Posts: 263Member Intermediate
    Aside from making it easier to do, what does anything HelloAll said regarding crew size and the proceeding comments have to do with plunder? Just wondering.
    IGN: Henrique_dePortugal, formerly CullumStraun - aka O Tigro Branco(The White Tiger)
    - Director of new_world_company
    Alt: Christopher_de_Haro, formerly William_Adams - temporary Deputy Director of new_world_company

    Pay It Forward - It's what we do
  • HelloAllHelloAll Posts: 701Member Intermediate
    @theedgedemon well the photo is me so I hope no one else is using it.

    @Twitchalot the op stated 600 crew so we are replying to that.
  • TwitchalotTwitchalot Posts: 263Member Intermediate
    Aahh ok, ty.
    IGN: Henrique_dePortugal, formerly CullumStraun - aka O Tigro Branco(The White Tiger)
    - Director of new_world_company
    Alt: Christopher_de_Haro, formerly William_Adams - temporary Deputy Director of new_world_company

    Pay It Forward - It's what we do
  • CulvernCulvern Posts: 646Member Intermediate
    Filthy pirates
    Ingean
  • lefox271lefox271 Posts: 495Member Intermediate
    My point is only about the effectiveness of Storage Skill.

    To balance merchant v. pirate battle, the merchant needs to have an effective skill to protect herself.

    Just saying - if you're a merchant grind Storage skill because if it comes to a fight, it's your first line of defence.
  • CulvernCulvern Posts: 646Member Intermediate
    I would suggest dropping your storage skill.
    Give the pirate what he wants. Show him the kinder way by being polite, don't fight back, and happily allow him to plunder your best possessions.
    Perhaps he will see the error of his ways.


    PS. Also carry tons of cash.
    Thanks in advance.....
    lefox271
  • lefox271lefox271 Posts: 495Member Intermediate
    LOL Culvern - that's very 'Pirates of Penzance'.

    It's an idea I hadn't thought of, and I like to think I'm a bit 'alternative'.
    Ingean
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