Allow me to replace Cpt Jack on this one. Let me introduce properly, I am the leading code developer here. I usually vouch (and protect the interests) for Pirates (Cpt Jack vouches for Merchants). I think it is best he is kept outside of this topic (fellow pirates, so far, we are winning, he has not posted here yet).
Allow me to share a true story:
Once upon a time, I was quarreling with a fellow browsers game developer on the complexity employed into the games we develop. We were discussing a particular feature of Pirates Glory (I do not remember exactly which one) and he kept pressing me to simplify things. Why on earth are you making things so complex?, he insisted. We were trying to solve together the challenge, he was helping. The process took some days and no matter how much I tried to simplify it, it was always ending up too complex for him. Eventually, he surrendered - complexity won !
What I have read in this topic so far.... well... I surrender
You have taken it to a whole new level of complexity!
I am not sure if I should applaud this or not. I am now on the other end so I should better keep my mouth shut. Just keep the observation
To put this back on track, I will summarize the objectives before choosing the ship.
-I am a Pirate! I want to PLUNDER!
-These bloody merchants have too strong ships for me. They use heavy escorts! I do not stand a chance against them with my small (but agile) pirate ships!
-The same bloody merchants have not allowed me to have any worthwhile ships! Even in the case I can afford them, I know they can hit them and sink them before I can feast on their precious cargo.
-This is why I keep cheap ships and I strike fast when I can.
-I need to hunt daily! I cannot afford to spend a fortune on the witch doctors! I need more solutions to plunder than these bloody witch hunters can offer!
-Skirmishing is good. I suspect it will become even better.
-Still these
BLOODY merchants, are evidently making more! This is unfair! I am the best Pirate around, I must TEACH them a lesson!
-But they become too emotional at times, when I grab their fortunes using my sneaky tactics!
-I am a Pirate of course, I do not really care. Only that these emotional outbursts are usually too bad for me!
-They put bounties on my ships! On me! They call fire upon my ships! They find and empty my warehouses!
-Only my banker friends, my nice hideout and the earth are there for me in these times.
-However, the more I pray on them, the more extended the periods of the storm become!
-Naturally, I am pressed back to provoke them less. I could perhaps use more straightforward tactics!
-These....
cowards will now have nothing to use against me! Losing in fair combat, by a Pirate! hahah!
-I could even get to conquer a port someday! My own tavern! With all the ladies! They could even greet me with respect as I stroll through the streets with a bottle of rum at my hand...
-But.. but my real home is not the port! It is not the Tavern, this is where I spend my hard-earned Golden Spanish Doubloons!
-My real home is my Flagship! My Pirate Flagship!
-Where NO one can catch me! It is very fast! I can avoid everyone!
-I can repair it cheaply and even when I am sailing! And when I see enemy ships
, I rub my hands in greedy anticipation...
-I know they are out for the taking, at least as long as these irritating big military ships are not there to hunt me...
-But let them come, I am still fast enough to escape!