Anonymous Privateers?

Spam Shark · December 9, 2001, 15:26

Privateers are not supposed to be able to be identified by opposing civilizations. In my last game I had my initial and only contact with several civs with a privateer and yet they were able to contact me and begin trading maps, making treaties etc. Full diplomacy. Not so anonymous after all.

Bilo · December 9, 2001, 15:51

Also sometimes the AI uses privateers to escort caravels. When they are on the same square it's not hard to guess the nationality of the privateer.

Proteus_MST · December 9, 2001, 22:03

Yes, maybe that they can use the Privateer to contact you.
But if you attack them with the Privateer they don´t know who attacked them (and declare war on you).

I imagine, that the Privateer is normally flying under the colors of his nation. At least unless he has spotted a prey. In this case he lets fly the Skull-Flag and attacks.

Didn´t the real Privateers of History also show the colors of their nation unless they were attacking?

Smash · December 9, 2001, 23:02

real privateers flew whatever flag was needed at the time.They often would fly freindly flags for whatever nation the vessel that was a target or a possible threat belonged to.

Ironwood · December 10, 2001, 00:14

Or, in other words:

If you attack with a Privateer, your reputation won't take a hit. That is the sole function of the Privateer. Don't worry about the comp deducing the nationality of a Privateer by who appeared on their "able to contact" list when they first saw it. It isn't programmed to do that. (Note, however, that *you* can make just such a deduction, though you'll have to make an "unprovoked" attack if you decide to hit their suppliers.

Cavalier_13 · December 10, 2001, 03:32

Actually, I used my privateers to attack a French fleet last game and got an unexpected result.

I was Polite with the French but I saw them move a LOT of ships so I fired up my 6 Privateers I kept for such an occasion and attacked.

During that same turn, I talked to Joan of Arc and LO AND BEHOLD she was furious against me.

I reloaded and didn't attack and she stayed polite.

Methinks the AI knows WHO attacked it, the rep takes a hit with that civ, but the action is not an act of war.

Just my experience though.

Cavalier

Trifna · December 10, 2001, 03:54

Quote:

Originally posted by Proteus_MST
Yes, maybe that they can use the Privateer to contact you.
But if you attack them with the Privateer they don´t know who attacked them (and declare war on you).

I imagine, that the Privateer is normally flying under the colors of his nation. At least unless he has spotted a prey. In this case he lets fly the Skull-Flag and attacks.

Didn´t the real Privateers of History also show the colors of their nation unless they were attacking?

A privateer is a pirate boat I guess. So if he's sailing with the colors of his nation, he's quite an original patriotic pirate. Always thought pirates all had their own emblem...