10-12-2001 00:26									#1
	Anonymous Privateers? Support Apolyton buy from Amazon

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.

	10-12-2001 00:51									#2
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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.

	10-12-2001 07:03									#3
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Yes, maybe that they can use the Privateer to contact you.
But if you attack them with the Privateer they donīt 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.

Didnīt the real Privateers of History also show the colors of their nation unless they were attacking?

	10-12-2001 08:02									#4
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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.

	10-12-2001 09:14									#5
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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.

	10-12-2001 12:32									#6
	Avatar Enlargement: We've got the solution

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

	10-12-2001 12:54									#7
	Support Apolyton, buy GURPS/ Alpha Centauri

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 donīt 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. Didnīt 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...