The Vigilante ID only allows for, basically, Starflier-Eagle and the affiliated shipline. Now, as a true Vigilante rarely works alone, I see within this, a paradox. A lone Vigilante would quickly die. A team, however, would be much liklier to survive and, in theory, have a "mule" if you will, to haul all of their catches. Now, one might think that simply destroying a kitten load of enemy ships in areas and numbers that the police/navy are incapable of doing would be enough - and indeed it is effective - however, a hundred dead or captured criminals is much better than a hundred exploded ships and survivors.
Now, my point, you ask?
I see it like this. A group of technologically superior Vigilantes swoops in (i.e. Eagles vs Bloodhounds), caps a group of pirates, and then... What? Well, I think it only logical that unless they're into four minute raids and ten minute return flights, they'd have a freighter or some such to hold the criminals during the raid. Therein lies the problem. The aforementioned issue of course being ship restriction. I made a duo of Vigilantes; one an Eagle and the other an Armored TP. But lo, some observant citizen of Liberty reminded me (thanks again, by the way) of the ship restriction - to which I promptly adjusted my circumstances.
So in essence, I see no reason why Vigilantes shouldn't be allowed cargo ships. Now! I do see reason to restrict their cargo ships. My recommendation being 800 cargo or less (i.e. Armored TPs), which would probably be the best somebody could muster. In my opinion, I wouldn't be risking a 10+ million investment for the sucking up and illegal harboring of criminals. No trains nor transports. Besides that, the Vigilante ID prohibits trading, so thats not an issue either (for however much you could garner from 800 cargo).
What thinkst thou all?
Now, moving on...
Think now, of a disgruntled group of individuals. Not wanting to get into the nasty business of piracy, nor the low survival rate of terrorism. To the contrary, just wanting to make a statement. No real reason like the Unioners (i.e. Getting canned) nor financial benefit like the Rogues.
My proposal: A Freedom Fighter ID (name subject to change... actually, give me a better one)
Basically, the criminal version of the Vigilante ID (correct me if this already exists). The Vigilantes don't do it for money like the Hunters, and they DO do it because the Police and Navy can't seemingly take care of the problem themselves.
The Freedom Fighter would focus on the elimination of State and Military targets while leaving piracy and the harm of civilians out of the way. They would see the corresponding House as oppressive and act accordingly to cause their downfall.
Lets face it, the only group worthy of seeing a House as oppressive is the Mollys. If the Houses would leave the Rogues, Hackers, Outcasts, etc. alone, they'd each go on their merry way. As such, there is no real basis for hatred of the House or the abuse of the word "Corrupt!" in system chat. After all, the House commerce buys their meals and keeps them afloat. Really, its all a form of business rivalry. A pirate tries to raid a transport, the police interfere, the pirate gets annoyed, people get hurt.
So, returning to the point, this is a form of Independant Mollys. Wanting to overthrow the government for whatever reason. And as an independant ID, its okay. A Rhino pilot could very well start raging on Navy ships for confiscating a shipment of Rations. Bands of these people could very easily be formed within the realm of reason, while still not being factionized.
Now, you ask, why not just roll with the Pirate ID?
Answer: That implies a seeking of gain/wealth. These people are angry at the system and will act accordingly to kill the people most directly associated with it.
Now, this has a great potential to be abused. Stupid people might mistake it for a Terrorist ID and think it a free pass to the trigger. A sufficient deterrant should be the same block of text that accompanies a Vigilante ID, saying not to rage on whom, with what, and at what time of the day. Something to the effect of,
"Carriers of the Freedom Fighter ID cannot pirate nor target civilians unless in self defense. Insert ship restrictions here. FF ID's prohibit trading, even smuggling. Etc., etc."
Blackmoon (after Hacker and HF time) would've loved that "Freedom Fighter" ID (Rebel, perhaps? More neutral term, fits better, and shorter). I'd see it as basically an unlawful copy of Vigilante; no trading, no piracy, etc.
That said, I think both should have their ship choices expanded slightly - the Marauder should be allowed to both (the infocard explicitly states that anyone with the money can buy it), the Vigilante should probably be allowed some lawfully-made civilian ships (like the Charon, perhaps?), and Freedom Fighter should be allowed Pirate and maybe Border Worlds? I don't say it out of PVP reasons, it's just that the restrictions in place feel arbitrary.
Cargo, I'd say any freighter and the ATrans would be sensible for both.
