Good day fellow pirates, I'm here to provide a brief summary of some of the planned changes which are going to be made as part of Piracy 2.0 that have been discussed. Please note that this only includes summaries of what we are proposing to implement, there will not be any numerical values included as these can be subject to change nor is it a commitment to anything which will certainly be delivered as some ideas may change. This is simply to keep the wider pirate community aware of what's going on.

For the last few months on behalf of the Development Team, I've been working with a small focus group of pirate players made up of veteran pirates who have, in their decades of combined play time, experienced between them all elements of the Skull Island experience and its roles and are who we feel were best placed to provide that feedback which we require. This small group has made it easier for us to engage in discussion and collectively assess ideas as opposed to an open forum which can go off topic.

Typos Fix
Ok the one thing I will confirm is the fix to the Stockhouse text otherwise someone will have my head. We'll get rid of that extra "left"...eventually. eventually.

New Resource Spots
To bring pirates up to speed especially at lower levels and make it fairer, there are proposals to create new low level mining, magic, smithing and woodcutting spots. Some of these may end up as the same place, some might get merged, that's undecided.

It would allow access to copper and tin, a steel smelting spot, entry level magic and a slightly higher than base woodcutting forest to ease the progression of these skills. Most of these are things we don't have access to or require us to risk the OL, which isn't fair progression for us.

Infamy Decay
Perhaps one of the biggest topics is the topic of infamy decay. Even the greatest of evil figures will eventually descend into myth and fade into obscurity if their deeds are not remembered. As a result, the group have proposed that negative fame will be lost in certain circumstances:

1. Should a captain fail to uphold their duty and send an invasion or refuse to do so, the Captain will suffer a percentage reduction of negative fame and be given a small window to try again. If they repeatedly fail to do so, this percentage reduction will stack indefinitely and continue to reduce their fame substantially until someone else is able to take over.

2. Negative fame will also be reduced if the captain fails at their role. If an invasion is ever deemed a failure, on their third consecutive failed invasion, the captain will lose an amount of fame representing the pirates under their command starting to lose faith in their leader.

3. Meanwhile players will also be affected, if a successful invasion occurs but a player did not contribute to the invasion at all in any way, they will also lose a small percentage of their negative fame. Won't be as crippling as the above for repeated non contribution but will chip away. If you want infamy you'll need to maintain it!

Organisational Changes
Following on from the negative fame reduction, it was proposed that Captaincy only changes if the negative fame of someone is better than the current captain and after an invasion, as opposed to a single failed invasion forcing a swap. It was questioned why for example pirates who had served under a captain for many a successful invasion would mutiny after a single failed invasion. Was deemed slightly illogical.

The focus group also debated the creation of a new pirate role, the First Mate. The thoughts behind this role are that it would be an optional appointment selected by the current captain (and replaced if the captain changes or on their own decision) giving another player an authority to send invasions on the Captains behalf. Given that the captain risks losing a substantial chunk of their own infamy by failing to send, if they are off for a period of time they need to ensure that invasions are not held up by them. Between them it can be used to allow them to also stagger invasion times.

Invasion Changes
The group proposed changing invasions, first off by changing what boat types we have available. Some boats will be smaller and carry fewer pirates but arrive quicker at their destination while some will carry more pirates but take longer. This allows the captain a tactical option of what they would like to go for. Do they go for small ships hoping for quick arrivals and captures at opportune times or do they want large fleets of huge pirate numbers instead? Even mixing them up...

Further, the invasions are proposed to be launched in a time window. Once the first ship has been launched, the captain (or First Mate) are given a number of hours to send every ship they would like to send, after the timer has expired, no more can be sent this time. With the boat times being slightly more predictable and this time window, it is possible for a captain to carefully schedule where they wish to attack and what arrives, when. Allows the creation of staggered invasions if they so choose to.

Eventually the group also proposed allowing additional islands to be targeted, again gives the captain an option of where to target if they so choose. While some of them are neutral and places we can get at, they are also potential targets. Pirate players will not be allowed to fight a pirate invasion though at a neutral location, you'd be fighting your own side which may be somewhat detrimental to your own cause!

We would also be proposing changing the invasion notification that happens in Pirate Chat from saying the specific locations to simply advising that the window for attacks has opened once the first ship launches. Makes it less likely this data leaks...

Lastly, the Stockhouse will open up slightly quicker under proposed changes. It will open for contribution either once the last pirate invasion has been defeated or 24 hours after the first invasion force has been dispatched, whichever comes first. We believe this will allow pirates to prep for further attacks without as much waiting time.


Donation Changes
Perhaps the biggest in terms of discussion points, there is a proposal to change resource donation for pirates and allow the option for higher level resources to contribute to the process. While the numbers are not confirmed it is proposed that all food items are worth a number of points which are used to train pirates from, as opposed to a specific reliance on one type of fish. The same also applies to metals and ores, which will also be assigned a number of points and used to train pirates out of that. It simplifies the process to a fair degree while also allowing higher level players an option to contribute if they choose to.

Given that there are potentially higher level resources coming in and more of them, there are also discussions around additional higher level pirates in the 60-80 and 80-100 CL range somewhere but these are ongoing.

Finally it was suggested to create a remote delivery option. Some players don't feel up to travelling back and forth to Skull to submit to the SH. It was suggested by the group to create a few remote donation options on distant islands which will allow the player to add items directly to the SH from some fixed far off places at the cost of a gold fee per transaction, leveraging their thieving skill as smugglers contacts. The resources would be added immediately, no delivery time or whatever, again allowing the choice to contribute.

We believe these changes in conjunction will allow more resources to be available which in turn can allow us to send larger invasions if the captain so chooses to and achieve more disruption on those mainlanders!


In Summary
The theme of much of these changes is about giving the captain and pirates an element of choice in what they want to do, how they want to attack places and with what and when they would like to do it. While we don't expect all of them will be used all the time, the end result is that it gives the captain options and an improved tactical suite to use.

The updates proposed here are also not considered the end of the Piracy 2.0 project, indeed there are other items which we would like to also review, however the decision was made to conduct these updates in stages. A stage will make it easier for us to develop as opposed to everything in one huge update. This initial stage represents what (in the focus groups opinion) were the greatest concerns right now and things perhaps in greatest need of consideration.

I open it up to the floor of the pirate community.

Thanks for the update

I think it's important to get these quality of life updates, before we get "new content". My only fear is once we're able to target new locations, we should have a new higher lvl pirate to counter-act the possibility of higher level fighters who may be inhabiting the island we are attempting to capture.

If we are not allowed to fight the invasions at neutral locations, will those invasions prohibit us from working at said locations?

You mentioned a remote donation option. Has the group considered adding an additional pirate-only "island" on the other side of the Giant Reef? Using the Mariners Locker and Mariners Depths as a precedent, this -new- location could be built into the reef itself.

There are 4 islands that only mainlanders can access, so why not 4 islands that only pirates can access to even the playing field.

We don't need four islands. Just two or three would be enough.

To Cast:

It says:

"additional higher level pirates in the 60-80 and 80-100 CL range"

These do sound fun! Albeit I hope, with the change to invasion sizes, the equation regarding invasion size vs capture time is adjusted.

i think that we sould get another island to our selves because when we do the chase the npc does not come to skull as much as the outher islands and like greensky said it would even out the playing field

Owl22 - Incorrect. The chase NPC stats aren't as bad as you think they are. For example looking at the last few we've been fairly high on the board most of the time or had a good number of visits. It is however just random number generator and for the most part even if it hasn't visited Skull directly, it's visited a lot of places that pirates can get to.

Dec 24th
Remer - 12
Serpenthelm - 10
Skull - 10
Dearn - 9
Elven - 9
Ogre - 9
Kanzo - 8
Webbers - 8
Mezno - 7
Exrollia - 7
Calmere - 5
Anasco - 2

Dec 25th
Serpenthelm - 16
Skull - 12
Dearn - 11
Remer - 11
Elven - 10
Mezno - 7
Calmere - 6
Exrollia - 6
Ogre - 6
Webbers - 6
Kanzo - 4
Anasco - 3

Dec 26th
Remer - 14
Dearn - 12
Calmere - 11
Webbers - 10
Exrollia - 9
Skull - 9
Serpenthelm - 8
Elven - 7
Kanzo - 6
Ogre - 5
Mezno - 3
Anasco - 2

The Witch at Halloween, same number of stops

October 31st

Dearn - 11
Exrollia - 11
Remer - 11
Calmere - 10
Elven - 10
Webbers - 9
Serpenthelm - 8
Skull - 8
Ogre - 7
Kanzo - 6
Mezno - 4
Anasco - 1

In reply to the previous comment, I am aware it says that. But, it was only from my understanding "in discussion" I read that as it is not set in stone. I was just stating my opinion that it's crucial (imho) if we're opening up more locations to give is more tools

84853 Wood in the stockhouse. left.

New Resource Spots
To bring pirates up to speed especially at lower levels and make it fairer, there are proposals to create new low level mining, magic, smithing and woodcutting spots. Some of these may end up as the same place, some might get merged, that's undecided.

It would allow access to copper and tin, a steel smelting spot, entry level magic and a slightly higher than base woodcutting forest to ease the progression of these skills. Most of these are things we don't have access to or require us to risk the OL, which isn't fair progression for us.

I do not like this concept, so here are my thoughts on this part.

Pirates take a hit to get access to things mainlanders do not, there is free exp, there is the code and community within the pirate and most importantly there is literally free gold every invasion for simply earning free exp.

I like not having access to everything and I will argue we do not need these things as an addition and they will likely not be used bar maybe the forest. You can say it is the progression but for who? No one already mines Iron who the hell is gonna mine tin and copper, we get an influx of players joining the game there is no guarantee they will join us instantly and then if they do who is to say they will use it?

I just think overall these additions are not needed bar maybe the Woodcutting.

In terms of everything else I am finding it a little meh ;/

there have obviously been a lot of discussions but in general I dunno what I am reading just fills like Additions that sound pretty on paper but in terms of execution and final product how is it going to work, feel and act out....

the notion of more control over invasions is a key one here.

Are we making an update that sounds pretty or will genuinely be functional and used because there are a few elements I am questioning just sound pretty but will likely not be used.

Edited on 27-01-2021 22:24

The new resource spots are on the list anyway.

Reason being that there's a difference from being a "disadvantage" or a difference in mechanics, and the lack of a method to progress those skills at all. It is possible for a player to end up on Skull fresh out of tutorial and with hardly any game experience. Therefore it is not reasonable to prevent a player from at least starting to level up a skill and prevent them from progressing. It isn't even like there's a different way, it's one of the few hard caps to actually being able to start the skill. Could appreciate if there were a different way available for it, but there isn't.

As a result, to simply prevent us from cutting off avenues of play for new players and/or pirates, it's probably better to do it that way and fill in the gaps.

Agree with Calgors statement. Also, as a pirate you sacrificed 4 islands already, is that alone not enough?

On top of what Rich said... Not only 4 islands, but a thieving guild, friddick brothers... a slew of quests....

Losing 4 islands you will likely not travel to, receives the ability for free exp and gold based off assisting in pirate invasions that require no resources from the player unless they choose to.

Sounds fair to me.

to Calgor

I understand that but there can always be precautions in place such as the ability to join can be changed where the player is told about what they are giving up in order to join.

The issue I find with this is there should be a balance in what is gained and lost, you add in a lot of what is lost you are effectively making pirates vastly more popular than Mainlands.

I change the question then, if you add in all this stuff what are the draw backs to joining pirates?

Dearn Island is a weak spot you will lose nothing from as it is being added to or around skull.... Xanso... there is nothing lost here for a new or even experienced player, Sorer, Again what do you lose that is not available elsewhere?

players are giving up Nothing to join pirates after this update and I have a huge problem with that

Askeladd, it’s more then losing 4 islands. And yes some would travel there, I would love to fight berian right now. Biggest reason people don’t become a pirate is the lose of 4 islands and the thieving guide and the quests, etc. not because of no magic or tin mine or steel smelting abilities, most people don’t even know we can’t do those until a pirate says so.

Another note that free gp isn’t worth coming here for I promise. I could get more money on the open market for my pirate supplies then donating but I SACRIFICE because I am a pirate. Free ex doesnt go far, salmon stops being the best xp an hour at lvl 55.

Edited on 28-01-2021 01:04

you are a new player, the means of the game are new to you, you favour joining pirates over mainlands which seems to be the overall concept voiced here.

I am level 1 in everything, Berian is not a concept to me, the thieves guilds is unknown.

I am joining the pirates because they sound cool, as I am joining I am told I lose access to a lot of features and islands by declaring my loyalty to this faction, do I wish to proceed in joining the pirates?

the argument from me is not it is just 4 islands, my argument is compared to what you gain as a pirate the loss is growing smaller and smaller with this update concept and that to me is not right.

your examples such as Berian, you can get berian exp elsewhere as a pirate, drop wise you can get much better drops from elsewhere to make a better profit. Thieves Guild is so lazily done and boring, if you regret joining pirates for thieves guild... I question why you joined in the first place.

I will TLDR this.

My argument is not it is just 4 islands, I feel there is more to gain than lose as a pirate with these updates and I am merely questioning if this should be the case.

I believe simply telling a player what they lose access to before joining with a confirmation combats a lot of the I joined and missed out crap we hear a lot.

I am not saying my way should be the way I am simply pointing out my concerns with what has been suggested. There needs to be things that you gain and lose, there needs to be things that separate the different factions and entice you to join.

Edited on 28-01-2021 01:29

We both have very different opinions, and both of us are correct in ways. But the update is happening hopefully and it’s much needed. It took me 3 years to get here and a lot of hard work and tired hours. This game became a second job for awhile just to get it done. I came without anything listed. I would welcome it all tho.

Askeladd - why should pirates miss out on anything? You are like those players on the main forum when anything is written about pirates. 'Oh you gave that up when you joined the pirates!' New players who join know nothing of the game but 'choose' to become pirates.

I have talked about Syrnia to many people and a few have joined the game. When they find out that I am a pirate they WANT TO join too, but I have to tell them they cant because of all the things that are missing.

Those of us who donate and work the PSH are NOT getting 'free' exp. For a big majority this is not a free ride.

'No one already mines Iron'! Really? You have 3729 iron ore! Next I will go to Rose Mine to mine for coal.

You don't have to like anything that this group of players has discussed and put forward. But can you suggest better ways?

Edited on 28-01-2021 06:43

My point is being missed here.

So my point is individuality amongst the factions for what a player chooses, no matter what you play in an RPG setting there are choices made that should hinder progression.

You can not just give everything to one faction in the hopes it some how magically becomes popular again.... thats just not how this things work.

Say we have 5 factions pirates, mainlanders as an example I will throw in a few more Elves, Ogres Vikings.

so we got our 5 factions here, in any RPG game you play there is an element that makes you want to join that faction, a bonus a buff an awesome set of gear whatever it may be, Pirates is the SH and invasion setting. that should be the main focus of any update, everything else is minimal.

What I am saying with this update is we are taking a lot of mainland stuff and adding it to pirates which in turn is not balancing out the factions very well, the argument is we lose access to 4 islands but my counter to that is that stuff is gainable elsewhere as a pirate. we miss out on quests and I would argue thats just something you choose to give up, or gradually give pirates more quests to do to counter act this over time.

Again I am not saying this needs to be the way but what I am saying is there is always things you give up in exchange for something else and pirates should not be any different this is the case with any RPG and MMORPG, Cal likes to quote a typical MMORPG does this... so why is this update so heavily unbalanced in progression?

Look long term and what is being developed where can we go from there, how can we expand what can we do to further the growth?


*EDIT*
I will be the unpopular guy here because I believe there should be balance within any faction and I believe taking away what pirates lose and replacing it with no other form of hindrance is a very poor way to balance something, it feels like the only desire for this update is to make pirates popular again with no idea or concept for progression or longevity.

The point of the update should be the invasion system how it works and how we can progress to leadership,captaincy,quartermaster whatever the role will be after the update. things around that should be minimal but this is not the case at all.

Edited on 28-01-2021 09:12

Your point is made it’s just not agreed with Askeladd. Opinions will differ as I said earlier, you just seem to be the odd man out in the replies is all.


EDIT:
Not saying you are wrong. Saying our opinions Differ.

Edited on 29-01-2021 02:50

And I have to say, the whole magic issue is fairly serious - a sizeable number of pirates are completely locked out of magic. Sure, make it harder for us to get exp at low levels, but don't just lock us out of the skill entirely.

I think we have started some good discussions here, and I can understand the concerns that Askeladd has brought up.

On an aside, I followed up with Aske separately. While some of this may feel a little like pirates are being brought up and given numerous advantages, there are proposals and other ideas to improve things for the mainlander side of this process which should give a few mechanics that they might be interested in as well as a few others for pirates.

As above this is simply the first phase and while it may not sound like a lot or sound like a load of empty updates to some, they do represent some of the biggest bugbears of the Skull community so it makes sense for it to form the opening update.

i think its an awesome first step

My only comment is that there aren't 5 hypothetical factions, only 2 in the game. So with that, you only have 2 choices either main or pirates, period. If there were 3, 4, or even 5 choices, then the argument that you should have to give up 1 thing to get another would have more of a meaning since you have a variety of options to choose from. But as was said, 1 thing like just totally having low level magic nerfed, for the privilege of being a pirate? That sounds and has sounded very bizarre to many people for a very long time. The other issues like low level mining/smithing, that could be worked around though, with uncomfortable choices, but they are still available choices.


*Edit* I like the thoughts for the updates in general and am glad to see there is at least discussion for something new.

Edited on 22-02-2021 09:05

The suspense to see anything off this list actually happen is breathtaking. 3 Years, 1 month since the first mention of a piracy 2.0 and still nothing off this list is even remotely put into effect. Unless I’m missing something.

Maybe 2024 is the year big things are gonna happen 🏴‍☠️