My demands are usually on the hard side of fair, but then I'm always open to a bit of intelligent negotiation (which I very rarely get). The thing that affects my demands most is how close to their destination I catch them. If I catch an ore trader in Manchester I might ask for up to a third of the cargo. If I catch that same ore trader 40k from his selling point, the demand will go up proportionately.
I loathe empty traders that complain when they're pirated for money. You're looking down the barrels of an antimatter cannon that's about to tear your extremely valuable ship apart, and inRP has a good chance of ending your life. I have absolutely NO sympathy or time for anyone that complains in that regard. BUT the demand a pirate makes of an empty trader should be sensible. Any pirate that demands over 2 mill from an empty trader is a banker (replace appropriate letter), as far as I'm concerned. I rarely go over 1, unless the trader is particularly annoying.
If you want to pirate, read "getting cash from traders", you'll ask traders for amount that you'll like and they'll be ready to pay to get off alive. If you ask too much you'll end up flying through blown up cargo pods with your bomber or what, so no much of a prize.
Of cause if you want to see them all burn in hell you ask 200 mill and then shoot, but then we all are having fun off from your sanction.
I always give the option of surrendering cargo if trader doesn't want to/can't pay. I never ask for more cargo than the trader is carrying so the demand is reasonable and can be met. But I usually go easy on traders, I prefer to get the money over shooting non-complying transport.
' Wrote:My demands are usually on the hard side of fair, but then I'm always open to a bit of intelligent negotiation (which I very rarely get). The thing that affects my demands most is how close to their destination I catch them. If I catch an ore trader in Manchester I might ask for up to a third of the cargo. If I catch that same ore trader 40k from his selling point, the demand will go up proportionately.
I loathe empty traders that complain when they're pirated for money. You're looking down the barrels of an antimatter cannon that's about to tear your extremely valuable ship apart, and inRP has a good chance of ending your life. I have absolutely NO sympathy or time for anyone that complains in that regard. BUT the demand a pirate makes of an empty trader should be sensible. Any pirate that demands over 2 mill from an empty trader is a banker (replace appropriate letter), as far as I'm concerned. I rarely go over 1, unless the trader is particularly annoying.
What he said.
This sort of thread pops up from time to time.
Pirates WILL catch you if you are a Trader. It happens.
Most of them will ask for a reasonable amount of money.
Unfortunately some are there to get a "blue message" and will ask for a stupid amount of money.
I've found that Pirates are usually ok with a Trader making ONE attempt to get away, after that they tend to get a little annoyed.
Sometimes you might have a few of the Pirates 'buddies' on board when they pull you up, if you are lucky all they will do is ask for them, then let you go.
Get used to being pirated at LEAST once a session, that is about average for me and it normally happens when I'm not paying attention to the information available.
' Wrote:once I prepare a tabel - how much and for what cargo... but all laught about my idea.
Your table (if it's the one I remember) was a joke. A good one.
That's why we laughed.
' Wrote:I remember the times when you had a bomber F1 in cali, NY, magellan and a ptrans in new london.
Charge 2mil in NY, then log on the other to charge 2mil more in cali, then repeat and take 2mil off him in manchester or magellan, then take his cargo in new london.
If i pirate, i ask trader how much they think they should pay me...
They are generous? Fine, goowill counts i will get lower with my demands...
They say something lower than 1 million in 5k (just and example, depends on comodity, this example can be used in case of super alloy or hull plates)
Well, i charge them a little extra...
if you are unsure and the other one isn't carrying ore, simply go with $500/unit of ships cargo space. I think that's the old hacker approach, but I found it really helpful if encountering ships that aren't 5Ks.
' Wrote:Go play the game, within the given limitations. That is how role play games are played. Not by trying to work around those limitations or whining about them.
I have a few traders, you're far more likely to get money out of me if you show good RP and show that you're thinking about what you're charging. Usually, people who ask for more than the profit my particular run is going to make will either be laughed at as I vanish down the lane or jump hole or simply ignored.
Likewise, there are traders out there who look at how much their cargo cost and, if it's a lot cheaper than what you're asking (even if there's no hope of escaping), opt for death. What kind of RP is that? Best way to avoid it is to check what they're carrying and make a demand that's close to or cheaper than what their cargo cost. They're more likely to pay up for the smaller amounts.
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