Quote:6.7 Attacking transports, liners or demanding cargo from the same is not allowed for cruisers and battleships.
Exceptions to this rule are:
a) Terrorist, Nomad, Wild, Phantom ID players;
b) LSF or Liberty Navy Guard vessels operating within Zone 21 or Alaska;
c) Order Guard vessels operating within Alaska or Omicron Minor;
d) Blood Dragon Guard vessels within Chugoku;
e) Corsair Guard vessels within Omicron Gamma;
f) Outcast Guard vessels within Omicron Alpha;
g) Guard ID players in their -own- associated Guard system.
h) Special OP players within the guidelines of their approved RP.
Traders whom are attacked in these areas may be pursued and destroyed beyond them.
Now let's say there's an IMG Cruiser in Tau-23 with several IMG bombers. One of the bombers stops a cardamine runner.
Things go badly and the bombers destroy the smuggler, with the IMG Cruiser sitting there the entire time but not firing a shot.
Is that a rule violation?
Now let's edit the scenario. Let's say that the smuggler has a fighter escort. Is the Cruiser allowed to shoot the escorts?
I know you can't pirate in the presence of an allied Cruiser, but if a smuggler runs into you, it's hardly your fault for having a Cruiser with you.
Just to be safe, I'd send the Cruiser out to continue Patrols while you deal with the Smuggler.
That's not very clear-cut.
Anyway, I think if the cruiser makes an attempt to leave and does not open fire, then it should be fine. Although, the safest option is to just let the smuggler get away.
Fine to attack em but the cruiser should clear out, preferbly with a local chat 'hes too small im pulling out' type of a message.
Yeah, as long as it's clear the Cruiser is no part of the action.
So is this backed up by any admin statement? Please provide the link.
If not, I await a solid and authoritative answer.
Agreed, admin statement would be best.
That said w/o statement, it WOULD be safest to assume that the cruiser should leave and/or post a 'too small im not doin anything' message.
The current admin position on this is:
Cap ship present when pirating counts as a threatening ship, and is not allowed.
Cap ship present when smuggler gets caught needs to make it clear by moving off that he is not part of the stopping force in the event the smuggler decides to run and gets destroyed.
Cap ship present when smuggler with fighter escort gets stopped should stay out of it. However, this is where the whole 'furball' issue comes into play, and while the cap could engage the fighters - is he really going to hit them anyway?
Many thanks, Agmen. That certainly does clear things up.