Pirates and Privateers mod question

[riddleofsteel]

I just tried this and lost two spanish transport ships full of stuff to pirate ships. While I understand that this is the risk of playing with pirates in the game, is there anything I can do to fight them within the first 20 turns? I lost these ships really early and it hurts. I can't afford to buy combat ships yet. Just wondering in case I am missing something. Thanks.

 

[Kailric]

I just tried this and lost two spanish transport ships full of stuff to pirate ships. While I understand that this is the risk of playing with pirates in the game, is there anything I can do to fight them within the first 20 turns? I lost these ships really early and it hurts. I can't afford to buy combat ships yet. Just wondering in case I am missing something. Thanks.

Hehe, sorry about that. My boys are doing there job First post in the Privateer, Pirates, and Buccaneers thread so we will know when someone post a question about the mod.

Ok, I admit the mod is more challening than normal, especially if you don't play as one of the "Pirate" Leaders. Normally Privateers don't appear until way late in the game but that is very unrealistic. Still, I can make a difficulty change in the next mod so that you will recieve a grace period before Privateers start to appear.

Actually, I just look through the Global Defines and there is one setting you can change.

<Define>
    <DefineName>DIFFICULTY_KING_REINFORCEMENTS_FLEET_YEAR</DefineName>
    <iDefineIntVal>1500</iDefineIntVal>
  </Define>

Find this value in the GlobalDefinesAlt.xml and change it to a higher year date with note pad or any text editor. Like 1525, that will give you 25 more turns before Kings will reinforce their colonies. But, the AI will purchase Privateers lots ealier now cause they are a lot cheaper.

But as it is the way you combat pirates is to hurry to build your first Sloop-O-War and Privateers are cheaper to hire in Europe for you as well so get those as fast as you can and set them up to protect your shipping. Don't ever think a cargo ship is home free as I found a pirate can come out of no where.

Also, the Pirates usually travel around in the common trade lanes so if you can stay out of their site you will be fine. When a pirate appears, if its not too late, take note of where he travels. And in the future stay out of that area until you are strong enough to defend yourself. You may have to take an extra turn to reach the safetly of Europe by staying clear of said pirate hunting grounds.

I should have an update for this mod tomorrow sometime.

~Cheers