I'm not sure if this topic has been brought up already or not, I didn't see anything in this section. No, I didn't go back 20 pages in the archives either...but here goes.
I suggest that the Independent Pirate should be treated, in fairness, similar to the Independent Trader. The Ind. Trader is limited to the size ship he or she can fly and told to join a faction if they prefer a bigger ship. This sounds like a winner idea for Ind. Pirates too.
I suggest to restrict Ind. Pirates from flying gunboats / gunships all together. First of all; all pirate gunboats are controlled by factions that might not like to see their own cap ships come back to bite them in the behind. Second; Gunboats are very expensive. Both to purchase and again to equip. Realistically, how would an ind. pirate ever afford one if he doesn't have the financial backing of a faction? Wouldn't it be more realistic to think that GB captains were promoted into them by said faction?
I would also suggest that they be restricted from using Bombers for the same financial reasons.
Another reason I suggest these changes is because the Independent Pirate ID is easily, and often, abused. For example, an Ind. pirating in Liberty with a Corsair GB and Outcast, Hessian, or Rogue, among other faction's weapons.
I know I'm going to get flamed for suggesting this, but the big ships were taken away from traders to encourage more faction play. I don't see how independent pirates are much different. Plus it will encourage them to have better RP.
They should be able to use bombers, so with that i disagree. But they shouldn't have GBs, so with that i agree. Unless him or her has good RP to back up why they have or can afford one.
So...by the lack of replies I assume it's settled that I should submit the suggestion and keep to arguing to exclude Gunboats and Gunships from the generic Pirate ID and leave the Bombers alone. Seems like it's settled to me, anyway.
I guess I'll start whipping up that proposal today then. Thanks for the input!