The Interdictor

[Thurgret]

Well, I decided to do something different from what I usually do. I made a new character, got him Navy repped nice and quick, stuck him in a Liberty gunboat.

As the name 'Interdictor' might suggest, I made it with an eye to bringing a bit more RP to the Texas system and making the embargo-runners and smugglers become a little more creative. The ship spends most of its time sitting in front of Houston. I've wandered around New York a bit (almost always with escorts) and even made a brief excursion into California. But Texas is still the main place. Thing is, I'm starting to despair of the system a little bit.

While there, my usual greeting to any ships coming out of the lanes is 'Cut your engines. You will submit to a cargo scan.' Sometimes just 'Cut your engines.' if they've already started cruising to the other lane. Most people don't. Kudos to those who do. The smuggler with the load of blood diamonds was particularly amusing (no, I didn't try to fine him, I know they're legal in Liberty). If they don't, I turn and pursue them, but by the time I've given them their warning and whatnot, they're long gone. Some won't even say a word, and will scurry on out of the system. I've found it goes a lot more smoothly when there are others with me, since one person can cut lanes, another can shoot a CD and another can talk, or however it might go.

But with a few exceptions, I get the impression that people just don't like this. One ship which we (a group of us) held up was hauling engine components into Liberty (which is banned if they're from Rheinland). I just gave up on it because it seemed that he - the player, not the character, who was furious - was getting frustrated. Others just seem confused about what all is happening, and the question 'are you pirates?' has even been asked when we cut the lane from Houston to Bering to stop someone.

Before anyone says I'm just flying a lolboat to get some PvP: I -could- just get a Tridente, sit 15k up a lane from where the Interdictor usually is, and pirate people, and be guaranteed PvP. (not that there's anything wrong with Tridentes or reasonable piracy - just saying)

General comments are also welcome. One Cartel guy did say he was being ganked when the Interdictor showed up, but I'm not sure if he'd noticed that I was doing no more than sitting stationary 2k away from the dogfight and shooting occasional missiles - how I treat all fighters, actually. Did that to a Hacker for a few minutes, couldn't figure what he was trying to achieve by taking occasional potshots at a gunboat from a fighter, then a bunch of HF people showed up. Heh. I have to say I'd not expected that at all =P. Sorry for landing, fellas, but being locked out of NY for 4 hours is a pain for Liberty-based characters.

Any thoughts on what could be done to stop folks (myself included) from getting annoyed by it all? Clearly having wingmen is a help.

[Janus]

Well, I decided to do something different from what I usually do. I made a new character, got him Navy repped nice and quick, stuck him in a Liberty gunboat.

As the name 'Interdictor' might suggest, I made it with an eye to bringing a bit more RP to the Texas system and making the embargo-runners and smugglers become a little more creative. The ship spends most of its time sitting in front of Houston. I've wandered around New York a bit (almost always with escorts) and even made a brief excursion into California. But Texas is still the main place. Thing is, I'm starting to despair of the system a little bit.

While there, my usual greeting to any ships coming out of the lanes is 'Cut your engines. You will submit to a cargo scan.' Sometimes just 'Cut your engines.' if they've already started cruising to the other lane. Most people don't. Kudos to those who do. The smuggler with the load of blood diamonds was particularly amusing (no, I didn't try to fine him, I know they're legal in Liberty). If they don't, I turn and pursue them, but by the time I've given them their warning and whatnot, they're long gone. Some won't even say a word, and will scurry on out of the system. I've found it goes a lot more smoothly when there are others with me, since one person can cut lanes, another can shoot a CD and another can talk, or however it might go.

But with a few exceptions, I get the impression that people just don't like this. One ship which we (a group of us) held up was hauling engine components into Liberty (which is banned if they're from Rheinland). I just gave up on it because it seemed that he - the player, not the character, who was furious - was getting frustrated. Others just seem confused about what all is happening, and the question 'are you pirates?' has even been asked when we cut the lane from Houston to Bering to stop someone.

Before anyone says I'm just flying a lolboat to get some PvP: I -could- just get a Tridente, sit 15k up a lane from where the Interdictor usually is, and pirate people, and be guaranteed PvP. (not that there's anything wrong with Tridentes or reasonable piracy - just saying)

General comments are also welcome. One Cartel guy did say he was being ganked when the Interdictor showed up, but I'm not sure if he'd noticed that I was doing no more than sitting stationary 2k away from the dogfight and shooting occasional missiles - how I treat all fighters, actually. Did that to a Hacker for a few minutes, couldn't figure what he was trying to achieve by taking occasional potshots at a gunboat from a fighter, then a bunch of HF people showed up. Heh. I have to say I'd not expected that at all =P. Sorry for landing, fellas, but being locked out of NY for 4 hours is a pain for Liberty-based characters.

Any thoughts on what could be done to stop folks (myself included) from getting annoyed by it all? Clearly having wingmen is a help.

I've actually thought of doing the same thing, although in a different Liberty system with a slightly different purpose.

As far as I'm concerned, if you're hauling contrabrand or breaking embargoes and get stopped by the law WHILST USING THE LANES you deserve everything you get.

[Monk]

A lot of traders are grinding and have no mind to roleplay. Unfortunately you are going to have to learn to deal with this as it is never going to go away. Also, some wiser smugglers will never cross your path there at Houston.

Here is a tip though. You can hire a Freelancer to scout out the independent systems for you. That way, you can be ready for incoming smugglers giving you the upper hand. Try to think like a smuggler. Eventually, and especially now that you've announced it, smugglers will recognize you and attempt to avoid you. Think of ways a smuggler might try to circumvent you and you might catch them by surprise...good luck

[cobraSting]

Talk in a strange lingo or use peculiar phrases. Always lightens my day...

For example: "Cut them engines you foreigner cretin before I introduce you to the Hand of Justice!"

[Thurgret]

I like the idea of having a scout out in Hudson or Bering - probably Bering - though it could get lonely out there.

And, yeah, I've announced the ship's presence pretty boldly for anyone who reads the forums and has a smuggling route through there. Still, even from 9k out, a ship with a Navy IFF, fairly high level and name 'Interdictor' must surely be a bit of a giveaway.

A lot of traders are grinding and have no mind to roleplay.

Very true. Still, can't hurt to force some RP on them if they fly by...

[Wuselkobold]

I did something similar in Leeds for some time. Here is what i did (and what helped me doing it):
Make preset messages. First one is 'please stop for cargo scan', second one is 'stop or be fired upon' and the third is an engagement notice.
So you can make your intentions clear without loosing to much time and are able to react quickly if the target choses to run.
Don't get distracted by people telling you 'you cannot do this' know the rules, know what you can do and what not, and shoot anyone who tries to tell you otherwise.

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A wild goose chase (RP story)

[Beagle23]

This entire thread convinces me you are someone who needs to work for my company.

[Thurgret]

There's a thought. I don't think it's possible to paste stuff into chat, but can macros (think that's the right term) be done?

[Janus]

There's a thought. I don't think it's possible to paste stuff into chat, but can macros (think that's the right term) be done?

That, I believe, is what Wuse was referring to.

You use /set message to set them up, check the full syntax ingame.

[Thurgret]

Me: 'Cut your engines. You will submit to a cargo scan.'
Other guy continues.
Me: 'All crew to stations.'
Other guy goes on.
Me: 'Cut your engines or you will be fired on.'
Other guy: 'WTF'
Other guy: 'I'm getting sick of this.'
Other guy: 'You're Liberty.'
Me: 'Where are those from?' (engine components)
Other guy: 'Baltimore'
Me: 'From, not to.'
Other guy: 'Alster'

etc. etc.

He was told to offload it on Houston.

His parting comment was: 'why don't i just take it to alster i am NOT losing 2 mil to some navy funboat'


That's a pretty typical sorta log.