As a returning member of this community for a whole year now, I have decided to write this little guide on how I personally believe you can avoid having your player-owned base (POB) being sieged. And yes, I use this to decide if a base should be attacked.
A shot overview of what a player owned base is before I start:
1.It is a base constructed by a player in space it can house many modules that are useful for the owner.
2.They exist in roleplay but aren't considered cannon to the Discovery story (unless specified). Pob aren't a endgame to discovery freelancer nor a status symbol of a players wealth.
3.They should be build to have a purpose to players be it a refinery, equipment producer or even as a storage depo for pirates. The more players find the base useful the smaller are the chances of it getting sieged or if the siege does happen there will a group willing to defend it.
The only way to destroy a player-owned base is by sieging it, which can only be initiated through a siege declaration thread. This involves equipping a siege gun on the attacking ship, with the cost of ammunition for said gun. Siege guns can be mounted on gunboats, cruisers, battlecruisers, battleships, the Hegemon, and even a Barge.
To Hide It or Not to Hide It?
This is an important decision and the first one you’ll need to make. If the base builder decides to hide the base from others, do not be surprised by a sudden siege declaration when it is found. No one likes finding a random POB in their neighborhood, especially the Houses. You might still get out of it if they are generous enough—perhaps through "taxation" or by offering another service to the group in question.
Location
This is one of the biggest reasons why sieges happen, especially in House space. In House space, POBs have it the easiest; just follow their laws about who can place installations and where (Yes, there is a license you need to purchase. And no, converting it to old money shouldn’t be done, as it is way easier to make money now). The House government may refuse to allow you to construct the base. If this happens, look at the next step.
If you choose not to build in House space, make sure that the base isn’t too close to an NPC station, especially if it’s an unlawful one. Check out the laws of non-House entities: Core, Order, Coalition, Zoners, Corsairs, Outcasts, Crayter Republic, GMG, and the IMG. It is important to read those laws too, as they can be the reason why your base could be sieged.
It is important to learn about the location you have picked to set up yourself up. Take the look at the factions that call it home. If it is a system is under tight control of a single faction you should study about it see what IFF is compatible with them and only then should you follow to the next step.
Some location while profitable are also extremely dangerous for a nascent pob owner a good example would be the Omicrons they not only have the Nomads it also the home the Outcasts, Corsairs, Order and the the Core . In those systems you should be prepared to make deals with them (and yes that includes paying them off).
Contact the Local Powers That Are in the System
Now that you have checked the laws and read the lore of the system, it is time to meet the local factions. Re-read their lore check how your chosen groups IFF is with the locals and only then contact them. You can do it OORP (out-of-roleplay), but most prefer it to be in RP (in-roleplay). By gaining more information, you, the base builder, will know if they will allow you to build it. Some factions may even assist you with the construction. Most importantly, it is crucial to contact other players. Some will not settle for bribes or any offers of cooperation, as they will see your POB as an insult. There is a chance that you may fail to reach the agreement with them or simply the faction doesn't want your base in there Zone of Influence especially the Nomads. Then you should return to the picking of the location.
How to Keep the POB Alive
The best way to keep your POB alive is for it to stay active, as POBs that just take up space without actively contributing are usually marked as "polluting" by members of the community. Some of them will siege those down for that reason. Interacting with other factions and players will ensure that you have defenders who can deter people from attacking it.
Following this guide, you will—at least in my opinion—avoid most sieges. This post is open for debate, but funny posts such as "POBs were a mistake" aren't welcome here. (even if I agree with that, they are already in the game, making it too late to complain).
