Originally by: Cygnet Lythanea

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I think Verone's current sig image (hopefully soon to be removed by mods) is an example of why piracy and PvP haven't been popular career options for new players.

They're seen as *******s who's only goal is to spoil someone else's fun.

And, to be honest, quite a few of them are.

So, what piracy and PvP need aren't in game rules to force people into your opt range (though I know a few of you are praying for just that to enhance your e-peen) but rather better PR.

You know, public relations? Blasting every newb in a frig you can lay your hands on to try and drive up that killboard standing makes everyone else look bad. Running and hiding when the odds are anything but 3 to 1 in your favor? Looks bad. Ganking people in your mothership with a tackler alt? Looks bad.

So, how do we get newbs in the door rather then them hiding in high sec? Well...

The respectable pirate steals and loots because, as Dillanger put it, 'that's where the money is' He comes up with a plan, intercepts the shipment, and raids shipping between 0.0 and high sec. Then brag in forums and kill boards about how you looted 100m megacyte from Goons/BoB/IRON/(faction of your choice here) and sold it on the market, passing it out to your loyal corpmates and paid informers. People will respect you for it, and what you do is, in fact, PvP and piracy. It's also slightly more difficult, but the payout is better. He gets recruits because A) he made an epic amount of isk, and B) he took on the role of the underdog against a powerful target (people lap that stuff up).

What he doesn't do: gank targets with little or no monetary value. It's all about the ISK and the Rep and if you've got a rep for killing for no reason or pleasure or otherwise being a psycho, that's a turn off for new players.

You guys might want to consider what I just said in light of this shortage of new blood.

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