I don't really mind Pirates using cruisers that does not change a whole lot since any gunboat or bomber out there can down any transport in the game pretty fast. Only problem that I see with this is taking away the 4 hour rule. There's a lot of traders that run routes and there going to stop playing if they have to wait four hours to run those routes. It just isn't going to be worth it with still having a Real life and all. Docking shouldn't be considered a pvp death because if you actually got lucky enough to get away then good for you. There's no transport in the game that can go toe to toe with a gunboat let along a cap ship so really only chance you have is try to run and dock. You cant fight back any other way. I would like to give an example that happened to me.
Pirate CD's me. I stop.
The pirate tells me he wants 20,000,000 credits to let me go. Mind you the load I have is Basic Alloy so maybe worth 5 mill at the most. On top of that I only had around 18mill left on my transport at the time. I inform the pirate that I can not pay what he asks and I offer my load instead.
Pirate says he doesn't want the load because he does not have the cargo to haul it he wants the credits or I die.
I offered him the credits I had and he said no I want the 20mill
So the pirate destroys my transport because I can not pay.
(Well this was no big deal before because I could resume my route and try to avoid him next time but now if this happens I cant trade in that area for 4 hours.)
This is a problem because there are times with some pirates you simply cant meet there demands and they blow you up because you cant. I also see pirates asking for a lot more now since they can have capital ships. I also see a lot of players either leaving or you will see a big downfall in transports and everyone will be flying bombers and cap ships. No one will be trading anymore. This is really going to hurt overall server RP because the transport companies are a large part of the RP on the server.
So my solution. Make it so the pirates have to ask for reasonable amounts based on your level and your cargo don't ask for 20mill if the cargo is only worth 5mill.
I also think if you offer to jettison your load they should not be allowed to destroy you since the whole reason they are trying to pirate you is because you have a load. This will help out with the transports not having to wait 4 hours. I know if I cant pay the demand I would jettison my load rather then wait 4 hours to be able to trade again. Just an idea if you don't want to keep the 4 hour exemption. The rule still needs to be modified some so you don't lose the Transport companies and there RP. Thanks for keeping Freelancer going it is one of the greatest games around.
