To be honest, why is it so important for lawfuls to be able to destroy a smuggler’s ship? Multiple smuggling offenses could just as easily be met with an FR3 with the appropriate evidence. Also, most player groups with tagged ships don’t risk smuggling through house space, as it’s simply too dangerous to be spotted. As for the Longhorn, it’s almost guaranteed a combat dock in most house systems if being chased by a lone pursuer. The Bulwark may be different since it's larger and has more components.
Escorts are an excellent option for all traders, especially in convoys, where each transport in the convoy can contribute to the escort’s pay. Escorts can also scout by flying ahead of the convoy. Personally, I think that stalling in RP is the worst option a transport player can take.
For example, once while I was flying a Lane Hacker gunboat, I stopped a transport. The trader began complaining about how it was unfair for my Lane Hacker to rob him. During our conversation, TLAGSNET notified me that two Liberty capital ships had taken a trade lane just one system away. This forced me to cut the conversation short and demand the trader’s compliance. However, he continued to stall, so I opened fire and took his cargo. Lane Hackers do have an advantage with TLAGSNET, but with Discovery’s smaller player base and the use of Discord, traders’ pings or a mass login of lawfuls often signal an immediate demand or destruction of the trader.
