Discovery Gaming Community

My first character on this server was a Freelancer...I wanted to have a versatile character that can pry into some of the aspects of this mod. After creating several more, I came back to my first character and tried to play it accordingly...Which is a huge disappointment.

First off, why are people SO reluctant to hire Freelancers? Especially traders rather risk being pirated, than hiring an Escort. It's not only for the protection, but you have someone to talk to in RP. I remember that one occasion, where a miner was Cruise Disrupted by a Corsair constantly, who was toying with him, but didn't even think about hiring me, although I was right behind them.
Then there are the Navies, who want to do everything themselves and instead of RPing with Freelancers, Mercs, Bounty Hunters, form Ganksquads and kill everything hostile and try to claim the glory. "Keep off Freelancer, I got him!" is a common response of a Navy pilot (if at all!) But this is so ooRP! I think the main goal of a military is to keep its combatants alive, while pursuing their duty. They do not fight for the glory of killing others, but to make their homes safe. I know, in our world it is still a bit different (luckily, I may add) but trying to "duel" with a criminal and refusing any helping hand is just the behaviour you'd expect from a rash Mercenary or playful pirates.

However, what really sets me off most by far is...Silence. Pure silence!
I offered my help to some military pilots, who were just threatened by 4 Pirates and...they did not even respond! If they'd say "no, we will deal with it" fine. It still sucks to be out of work, but well he RP'd. I just hate being not responded, not only inRP (because it destroys all sort of RP) but it's also insulting.

The only thing I discovered to do were Bounties. All right, it starts with the application, which already takes much effort and time. Then the process of screenshooting the criminal and bringing him down at the end. And then...You are ignored again. Happened to me.

I seriously do not know if I am doing something really wrong or if it is really like this.
Point is: being a Freelancer/Merc is hard, because people are extremely reluctant to hire them. And especially the lack of RP and sheer ignorance towards them is really disturbing me.

I've been saying it for some time. Pirates are not mean enough. If they were people would value freelancers and mercenaries much more.

Pirates Play mean and people berate them for being too harsh on traders.
People cry about pirates demanding too much, or flying in big groups.

Yet you say "Hire escorts" and people cry about that too.

People are reluctant to hire escorts because a lone bomber can kill a transport several time before getting killed by a VHF escort.
Why pay somebody 3 millions when there is a 50% chance that he will be useless ?
It's all about game mechanics. Escorts can't be really effective. Sadly.

' Wrote:People are reluctant to hire escorts because a lone bomber can kill a transport several time before getting killed by a VHF escort.
Why pay somebody 3 millions when there is a 50% chance that he will be useless ?
It's all about game mechanics. Escorts can't be really effective. Sadly.

If done properly the pirate bomber will never see the transport. And there are ways to prevent bomber from firing too.

First and foremost, A big problem with the hiring Freelancers and such are the fact that no one really knows where their loyalties (if they have any) lie. How does a trader know that you aren't in league with the pirates one system away, secretly broadcasting position and such to them? Or how does the trader know that you won't turn tail and run the moment trouble starts? Or that you won't be the cause of said trouble in the first place?

The problem lies in the fact that EVERYONE is a freelancer. Lawful and Unlawful mercs, pirates, escorts trying to make a buck, no matter who you are, you're a freelancer. There's no way to check your rep sheet beforehand, and even then, I don't trust more than 3 or 4 freelancers on the entire server to keep their reps in check.

So the issue lies with the freedom that being a freelancer gives. And the ruination of that freedom by others who abuse that freedom. I'm sorry that you've been caught up in the repercussions of other peoples actions, but that's the way it is.

My suggestion is to join one of the reputable mercenary companies. Venator Private Security (VPS) or the Mandalorian Mercenaries (MM) are two fairly well known, lawful, and decent companies out there.

I do not reckon it is distrust that makes most people avoid Freelancers. If he is working with a pirate group, he could still follow the trader and broadcast its position anyway. Most of the time I only hear "no im fine, kthxbai". That implies they are simply not worried about pirates.

' Wrote:People are reluctant to hire escorts because a lone bomber can kill a transport several time before getting killed by a VHF escort.
Why pay somebody 3 millions when there is a 50% chance that he will be useless ?
It's all about game mechanics. Escorts can't be really effective. Sadly.

People should hire a scout, not an escort in fact.

It's possible to get hired as a Freelancer or Mercenary, but it takes more work than flying around asking if someone wants to hire you.

A few tips;
-Pick a faction, or a few factions, for whom you wish to work for.
-Prove to them that you are friendly, and not a mercenary working for the other team. If they see you helping them often enough, they'll come to trust you enough to hire you.
-Roleplay as much as possible, and it doesn't have to always be centered around being a mercenary and finding a job. A random RP conversation will go just as far in getting someone to hire you then or in the future.
-Claim some bounties on the boards for those you want to work with. Not only does it show you're around and helping, but by registering, they also see your repsheet and equipment.
-Try to get in good with active members of the factions you want to work with. They can then add you to group chats when there is stuff for you to do. The most the faction members see your name, the better.
-Do a good job. Obviously the primary factor in whether you get hired or not is if you are capable of fulfilling the contracts you're assigned. This means a decent level of pvp ability. Unlike pirates, who attack transports where pvp ability isn't necessary, you're going to always be up against fighters, bombers, and capships. This means your pvp abilities must be high up enough to take out at least half the people you're sent after. A mercenary who dies more often than kills his opponents is one people don't want on their side.
-Variety. Have different ships available. The bare essentials you need is a fighter with a cruise disrupter (target runs, no payment for you). But it's a good idea to have a bomber or gunboat in reserve, if your client needs extra anti-cap firepower.