Really? Because 4/5 times the person will be a higher level than me.

And, if Fort Charles was meant for lower level players, why is it that at level 35 you can still get, "Defeat five grunts" quests?

And, I agree with Swash, there isn't really rep stealing. Of course, breathing air isn't really a good example, IMO. In fact, there's not really a good example to say it's not rep stealing anyways.

We all pay for the game, and rep is imaginary. What's it like to lose, say, ten rep because someone else came to fight your enemy? All you have to do is say, "Hey, can you join my crew or fight a different enemy?" Odds are this "rep stealer" is going to join your crew, because there's more rep! When I was a noob and I was considered a "rep stealer" people would always ask to join their crew for more rep and I thought, "Woot! This is great!". Did I know I was actually annoying them before giving them extra rep because I was part of their crew? Heck no.

This is just my opinion, but I don't see it as rep stealing. I see it as rep sharing. Sure, that's a funny term for it, but if there's really "rep stealing" going on, it's by your choice, most of the time. Because when people come to fight my enemies, 9/10 times asking them to join my crew works.(85% of statistics are false, if you really want to believe me, ok, but going out into the game and counting the times people will join your crew is better.)

I personally don't mind people fighting my enemies. They join my crew or I join there's and I'm happy.

P.S. When the new inventory system hits live I bet there will be new, even worse stealers out there. The "loot stealers!".

We do all pay for the game and agreed you don't have a right to your own bad guys. My ship example is more a irratation then anything but I will stand by my Kingshead one. If you have taken the time to search out a quite server and are working on leveling on the parade group it is rude to start messing with what you are doing. Anybody else doing the same is probably there to level also and by doing so will cut yours (and their) rep to nothing, to the point that you will not get crew bonus even if they join your group. SO is it "rep stealing" I guess not, but they have stopped you from doing something you are trying to do-If you pay for a movie and I sit near ya and talk to the point you can't hear your gonna get upset even though I paid to watch the movie also- So is it rude, yep, so call it what ya like but be thoughtful of the way your game play effects others

A note, au contraire, we do NOT all pay. Basic access members do not pay, but they do rep steal. If a basic player attacks the enemy of an unlimited then they are taking rep away from someone who did in fact pay for it, hence there is rep stealing.

It doesn't even need to leave test for that :laughks2:

The first part of the quote goes to show that experiences differ a lot. When I am on a pirate that is level 19 and down, the "rep stealer" is 4/5 times a lower level, and 1/5 of the time a higher level. When I switch to a pirate that's in the 20's, the "rep stealer" is 3/5 times a higher level pirate in the 20's (with a skull face tattoo 4/5 times.. don't get that part either), and 2/5 times a lower level.

Sorry if I am wrong, but if that quest is not exclusive to Fort Charles, then there's no reason they should be taking rep from little pirates. I know that on Padres (which a level 35 should have access to) if you go in Beckett's Quarry, at the entrance there are 3 grunts, only a few steps away. The player can 9/10 times get there faster than going all the way to the back of Fort Charles. They still have a right to go there, but they should also realize, doing this to "younger" (in the sense that they are new to the game) players may make them think that it's acceptable to do, in the eyes of everyone else.


A lot of us do pay for this game, and a lot of us play the game for free. But if another player is ruining our experience for us, we have as much a right to say something to them (not to harass, but to inform them of what they're doing), just as much as we do to step away.

If I am Level 35 and I need five grunts, I am heading to Padres. I would NEVER do it at Fort Charles.

Actually, the way it's set up, if there is a drop from a kill, everyone who got in a strike gets their own loot. You can't take another pirate's drop. Nice :)

Disney gives peeps the free access...there is still no stealing...its a term we use when something we value is lost to us...but as its allowed by the owner of the whole shebang,,,I still stand on that...that its not stealing and we shouldn't have our expectations of others "manners" in a free- for- all type game, to a fever pitch....thats my final word as my posts explain meself , I hope...:)...

Carry on if ye will, this thread, as I believe new players seeking advice will read your contributions and gain a wide viewpoint and, perhaps, act accordingly...as well as lead to tolerance by those who have gained the most....Thank you.

I know I'm in the minority here but I'm still inclined that there is no rep stealing. You earn the rep you worked for, whether you did 100% or 50% or 0%. You get less rep if someone comes over and helps you, sure - understood. Yeah, you were working on that mob the way you wanted to and now you have to kill another one to make up for the time lost. Yeah I can understand that it does stink to have to kill another one.

POTCO's rep is still the most backwards experience system I've ever seen in an mmo. If you want to work on leveling up, you cannot use your more powerful skills to take down an enemy. Instead you have to whack at it with the same hit or combo if you're inclined since it's been shown that more hits = more rep. It still doesn't make sense that I can gain the full cap on a level 1 sand crab. Most other games, you gain experience determined by your level versus the mobs' sometimes divided by the number of people in your group. I suppose the crew bonus is meant to make up for the the weird rep earnings. What's more wack is that upgrading your weapons or skills is actually a detriment to your rep earning power since you would then do more damage/less hits.

It could be worse. Way back when in another game, the last shot got ALL of the experience points (i.e. kill stealing). It may be better for Disney to incorporate a system where the first hit locks the mob and its rep to you or your crew. You'd still get less rep if someone intervenes but at least they wouldn't get any. That idea may curve away from child-friendly by their standards though. Just an idea to throw around.

Me too. Although sometimes i do try to explain to them first why it is a problem, and if they are lower levels trying to go for higher level enemies i let them know that they just may be doomed. Particularly if they seem to be new to the game. Also, if you just crew with them it makes up for some of the "stolen" rep, doesn't it? Best to just head to quietest servers if you want to be left alone. Like Bug, i sometimes hop servers a few times just to be away from other pirates if i am "on a mission" to level or for a quest.

Rep stealing is when you are prevented from earning the rep you expect to from mobs you have found and set up. For example, if you find a quiet server with an unused Kingshead field, call the 7 over so that you can smoke them for decent rep, it is rep stealing if someone comes along and takes "your" mob out with 1 shot of flaming skull. Who does Disney penalize for that rep stealing? The rude high level player stealing the rep, or you, who now have to spend 7 to 30 minutes finding a new server?

It is blinding ignorance to claim that basic members even *can* steal rep. The damage point from their weapons is at BEST insignificant.

When I set out to level I usually go to a quiet server and find enemies that fit my needs, looking for enemies that will give good rep but don't require me to gulp down tonics. I'm also very systematic, planing my attacks for maximum rep. When someone jumps in and attacks the enemy I am fighting they are undermining my enjoyment of the game, hindering my progress and wasting my time. So arguments about the existence of rep stealing have little meaning, because people who do this are taking something of value.

The least these people can do is talk to the person who was first fighting the enemy, then maybe something can be worked out that is good for everyone.

That said, there is no reason to be belligerent or insulting over this. Exp[lain politely what the problem is and if that doesn't work just move on.

OK. Rep Stealing causes a lot of hang-ups but it is not the legal definition of Stealing that is meant here.

"Rep Stealing" is more about actions and behaviors and a total lack of home training and manners and the emboldened actions of the anonymous Internet game player. Calling it "Rep Stealing" is just easier than calling it "Rep Reducing" or "Rep Stop Acting Like A Rude Little Pratt And Go Work On Your Own Bad Guys."

It may not be stealing but it IS, in certain situations, downright rude.

And I have to disagree that POTCO is a free-for-all type of game. It isn't.

LOL :laughks2: sorry you made me laugh with that one just had to say thanks
needed that

I see lots of strong opinions, for and against. I don't see any clear right or wrong way to handle this except as stated, try to get a quiet server, if bugged then you hop servers. I like to be able to go to a busy server, and join in without being harassed, or have the option of a quiet server.

Try to be understanding of players that don't follow the "unwritten" rules regarding rep stealing. If we turn them away from the game, then what have we accomplished? In no way does POTCO reference the way of the Jedi, but try to keep that in mind. Walk the higher path.
IMHO,

Rob:)

This is like so true