[Implemented] Skirmish Revision

[Most Lee Harmless]

I'm afraid your evasion has failed to evade

[Captain Jack]

I need to upgrade the Copper platings

[Haron]

Early beta version of evasion suggestion:

Evasion probability = ((Defenders Speed) / (Attackers Speed) ) - 0,5

Obviously, if it's above 1, it is 1, and if it's below 0, it's 0. This way, with equal speeds, the defender has a 50% chance to escape. If the defender is 50% faster than the attacker, he always escapes. If the attacker is twice as fast as the defender, the defender never escapes.

If the defender's speed is 70% of the attacker, he has a 20% chance to escape, like today.

I still don't see the need to modify the evasion rules, but if, for some reason, there is a desire to do so, and speed is to play a part, then this is a way to achieve such an effect.

[Most Lee Harmless]

That works, if it based on fleets speed (the slowest ship in fleet) : I still like the idea of using skirmish points to 'buy' added protection as in my 'watchman' suggestion above too.

One note : this would mean cutter fleets would always evade unless skirmished by another cutter fleet.

[Haron]

The problem with that suggestion, Danik, is that every big trader just maxes out skirmish tech and becomes immune to skirmishes completely. Not really a desireable situation.

[Donald Trump]

Well then I propose a balance. Make it so even at max level, you can only avoid skirmish half the time.

[Most Lee Harmless]

Stacking limit on Watchman' will resolve that issue. Only one can be active at any one moment. So, if online, the target could renew the 'Watchman', but if not, they are now under 'normal' evasion chance rules.

As a general note : Skirmish was introduced but its victims have not really been given any means to counter it : it seems its a random tax that must be endured : so, at least allow a small measure of defence to it.

[Haron]

I still think changing the evasion rules is a waste of time and resources. In my opinion, it works well today. Skirmishes are NOT hurting big traders badly. And with changes here, it's very likely that protecting your gold bar fleets becomes WAY too easy. Also, skirmishing will become pointless except for those with lots of experience and maxed piracy tech if the evasion chance of targets become too high. You gain danger from skirmish attempts, so expect to be attacked once for every three skirmishes you do. If the target escapes two times out of three, you get to attack as many times as you are attacked. Not good at all.

I think the very best idea is to keep the evasion rules exactly as they are today.

[Most Lee Harmless]

Funny, when it comes to bragging how many gold bars do regular skirmishers claim to have taken, some-one, somewhere is losing big coin : yet, when we discuss it, why, nobody makes a bean and the victims lose nothing.

[Haron]

As a general note : Skirmish was introduced but its victims have not really been given any means to counter it : it seems its a random tax that must be endured : so, at least allow a small measure of defence to it.

If the traders want value for their skirmish points, let them skirmish, too. That's what I think they should do.

It's not like a pirate gets value for his 200 captains, like a trader does. A substantial amount of MY captains just hang around in bars in various ports in Avonmora, listening for rumors and looking for possible contracts.