I've heard complaints recently about cloaked ships recording quasi-lawful activity and then acting upon it in RP. This could be a major activity hit for smugglers and quasi-lawful factions. This gets particularly nasty when the cloaked ship carries no tags. There is no way for the smuggler to know if and when he might be recorded. Is this detrimental to these smuggling factions? Should there be some sort of restrictions placed on this kind of espionage?
Please discuss, but do not mention specific incidents. I believe this to be a hot topic and I want this thread flame free.
I'd say the beeping sound is a pretty good indication to know you're being watched. Though, an untagged cloaked ship is really difficult to counteract via the playerlist. Then again, using the playerlist in that sense to avoid encounters is technically metagaming. THEN AGAIN, is an interaction with a cloaked ship even an interaction, since the cloaked ship doesn't interact back?
With using BOTH a cloak AND an unnamed ship I would interpret this action as :
- evading interaction inGame ( if not decloaking to interact )
- metagaming if using the Intel to RP with any ship NOT clearly indentified in the forum RP connected to the use of the Intel
- harrassing members of community if NOT using the Intel openly and only sending sanction report with the Intel
Hm. Seems some Players are getting creative at bugging each other and Admins again ?
Well, I'm all for espionage, but personally don't really ever use it for ratting on random traders. Most common scanners used, you have to get as close as or closer than 3 k to get the scan data, and in that case the cloaked ship is open to being heard by the trader. However if they're using a scanner with longer cargo range, they can get what they need and go without the other ship knowing they were there.
There are perfectly legit 'intel' bounties offered by some for such proof of certain ships carrying contraband etc. The trader takes their own risk when smuggling, smugglers always use special tactics to get the job done anyways. I think its normal for independent freelancers to use what they have for such merc work. I think smugglers do have a counter option of cloaking themselves (especially now with how cloaks are using batteries and not fuel taking up space in the cargo hold) or adjusting tactics. Most times its all perfectly inrp and eventually winds up unavoidable. One way or the other they'll learn who to avoid and what needs to be done. Cloakers can't cloak all that long anymore. I hate to say it but to receive such complaints seems like 'omg they're using their cloaking devices again'. It seems any actual practical use of cloaks winds up warranting complaints, when that's just how and why they are used in the first place. Perhaps its the smugglers that should consider how smart it is to use tags while trying to smuggle.
Stalking people on (especially untagged) cloaking transports makes not only quasi-lawful, but pretty much any sort of "secret relations" roleplay nonviable.
The only counter is constantly checking the player list to assure there is no transport-ranked ship in the entire system, not something I would say should be encouraged.
As much as I think IND deserves it in this recent case, evidence taken by cloaking transports should not be considered inrp.
Edit again: And please don't give us the cloaking noise argument. The range is tiny, somebody could be following you for an hour without activating the noise and then cruise past for 3 seconds to take a scan.
Even if you do hear it, there's absolutely nothing you can do against it. Once you hear it, it's already too late.