Following the discussion here, I have compiled the final suggestion. Discussion will continue here on how to make Skirmish better. Evasion probability will come with Ship Specialization feature.
The values below are for version 1.0
We will finalize them within 1 week to 4 weeks after feature release
Skirmish Points
You get 1 per 24 hours, maximum stack of 3. (This will be surely increased later)
With every point, you can conduct a Skirmish.
Skirmish
Skirmish is a fleet attack against a fleet found in the Gossip Page.
The 3 conditions below must be met in order for the Skirmish to proceed:
1)The fleet must appear in the Gossip page (only through there attacks will be valid anyway).
2)The gossip entry must be 20 minutes old, maximum. (21 minutes fleets will not be valid for attack).
3)The fleet must be in the same port vicinity with the Gossip entry (This means that a fleet can only be Skirmished by one port at most cases - In some cases a fleet might finish a trip in less than 20 minutes. For example, by using Flying Dutchman or Instant travel.)
Skirmishes are different than Plunder attacks in the following points:
1)Escape Probability
-There is a 20% chance that defending fleet will escape the skirmish. Right now, the evasion probability is purely random. (Chance percentage will surely change later and it will be Based on Speed and ship attributes that will be introduced with Ship Specialization). In case of an evasion, no battle takes place, attacker receives the normal danger penalty (+6 Danger with no voodoo, +12 if Hostile Waters is active).
-A successful escape consumes your skirmish point but not your turns. (May change later to consume turns as well)
2)Targeting Restrictions
-A player may not receive more than 5 Skirmish attacks per day. (per game day)
-Target Fleet must have at least 1 point of danger (In this way fleets with Treasure Fleet enchantment will avoid skirmish attempts).
-Skirmishes will only be possible against players within your +-30% fame.
-Not available for players with less than 1000 turns
3)Post Battle Effects
-No change on Defender's fleet danger.
-The trade route will not pause when a fleet is attacked this way.
-Skirmish attacks do not count in missions unless stated specifically.
4)Different earnings
If the winner is the attacker, he loots all fleet cargo in the following way:
-Wood,Iron,Tools,Cotton,Rum,Tobacco and Food, are transformed in gold coins (base prices are assumed).
-Gold Bars are stored in attacker's port warehouse (if there is enough space. If there is not enough space or he has no warehouse, gold bars are lost).
-If the winner is the defender, normal plunder bonuses are applied.
-Gold Loot
If the defending loser has gold coins at hand, then he pays extra the gold equivelant generated above (these gold coins are removed from the gold at hand). It does not apply to gold bars.
(Maximum loss this way, for a fleet of 5 Trade Galleons carrying Tools, 30k)
If the player does not have enough gold, no extra penalties are issued (you cannot plunder a ship with Skirmish).
-Fame Loss
Equal to total Gold Loot loss - Max 1% of total fame