2 questions about POBs

[Keioff Xanjer]

Also, do underestimate the power of money. You can either pay off your possible attackers to leave you alone, or hire mercenaries/freelancers to protect your base when you are not around.

I've thought of that.
But where's the fun or freedom in spending your time, earning money to buy protection? That's not diplomacy, that's Mafia. 'wink'

But I get the feeling, I worry too much...
As I've said before, the game is still alive for a reason.

[Highland Laddie]

Just saying....if you don't have the ships, skills, or manpower to defend what's yours....money is your next option.

[jagtai]

I did what you want to, built a POB in a contested area. The trick is to avoid confrontation, and be prepared for it if (when) the confrontation comes.

In my case, I paid off the Outcasts to leave us alone (not as expensive as I feared), but then was foolish enough to allow IMG to dock on the POB. The Outcasts declared war and besieged the base several times. Good supply and a shield ensured the base survived until diplomacy ended the war.

My advice: play it neutral, at least until you can afford to choose a side. If you have plenty of bombers, their Caps won't live long enough to destroy your base, and then you can make a Freeport. Until then, carefully maneuver through the faction politics. Or pick a side that has the power to defend your base

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Junker Marauders
Universal Shipping

[Keioff Xanjer]

Just saying....if you don't have the ships, skills, or manpower to defend what's yours....money is your next option.

If we don't have the ships, skills or manpower, money is our ONLY option.
That's what I fear.
I cannot see where Zoner have any leverage in negotiations, so basically we're totally open for extortion.

For a diplomacy-based faction, we have very few bargaining-chips.
Please correct me if I've missed something.

I did what you want to, built a POB in a contested area. The trick is to avoid confrontation, and be prepared for it if (when) the confrontation comes.

In my case, I paid off the Outcasts to leave us alone (not as expensive as I feared), but then was foolish enough to allow IMG to dock on the POB. The Outcasts declared war and besieged the base several times. Good supply and a shield ensured the base survived until diplomacy ended the war.

My advice: play it neutral, at least until you can afford to choose a side. If you have plenty of bombers, their Caps won't live long enough to destroy your base, and then you can make a Freeport. Until then, carefully maneuver through the faction politics. Or pick a side that has the power to defend your base

Thanks for sharing actual experience with this!
You underline my worries really good.
1) You cannot make a deal with one part, without upsetting the other.
2) You HAVE to rely on other for defense of your base. If they are in a bad mood or just don't have the time, you are totally helpless.

I understand that negotiation and diplomacy has to be the absolute main tool of Zoners, but: "Some men.. You just can't reach."

Anyway. We'll probably survive no matter what. Thanks for the input.

And as allways.. Thanks to devs and mods. Big thumbs up.

[Binski]

I'll put it straight, being Zoner won't save you if you don't play along with local forces.

Check the Laws of Sirius, the system you want to build in is either House space, or borders some kind of territory, and is then likely claimed, regardless of what the great map of Sirius shows. You'll have to check each charter to see who has claim to what, in some cases, systems may be claimed by more than one entity.

So you can either reveal yourself and ask permission in advance, I'd reccomend this if you plan to build it near anything or near any traversed routes. It won't remain hidden for long, and its better to be open about it, unless you're looking for a fight. However, if you built first, most 'entities' will work with you so long as you communicate and comply with their regulations.

Or, if you fear you will not get permission or simply don't want to involve local powers, find a good secluded spot and build anyways. If you are trying to build a zoner freeport-like base, I'd go with the open disclosure. It will be costly though, but if you plan to get good use out of it, and have others helping you, that shouldn't be a major problem.

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[Keioff Xanjer]

I'll put it straight, being Zoner won't save you if you don't play along with local forces.

.....

Or, if you fear you will not get permission or simply don't want to involve local powers, find a good secluded spot and build anyways. If you are trying to build a zoner freeport-like base, I'd go with the open disclosure. It will be costly though, but if you plan to get good use out of it, and have others helping you, that shouldn't be a major problem.

Ok, I wrote a much longer post, but messed up and deleted it.
I think you just confirmed my fears about Zoners becoming a bow/haul/obey type faction

There's a difference between negotiating a solution and 'playing along' (which basically means obey what you're told)
I just cannot see how it's possible to remain neutral in contested territory. You cannot obey the demands of both lawful and unlawful factions.
Several system has multiple factions claiming authority over them and then you will either get in trouble with the ones you don't ask or be forced to spend all your time, earning money for "protection".
And how are you supposed to earn money when you have to remain neutral?
Synth Products will make you enemies
Terraforming/mining will make you enemies
Black market goods will make you enemies

As I've understood it, the Zoners fled house spaces to have more freedom, but that doesn't really go hand in hand with being forced to obey every demand and being limited to one single career, as a trader on the 100% narrow.