Pirates' Bounty in UIM.06

[cobra]

They never seem to get over 500. Some of the initial bounties seem to count up as I go, but after the first bout of pirates, they all stick at 500.

The gang's prices on pirates seems to go up though.

Is there a fix for this? Bounty hunting is more drudgery than exciting, with this factor...

[Captain Zedo]

I've shot down some $1200+ pirates late in the game. I think it takes a pirate a long time to move up the food chain. Pirates only attack targets carrying $2000+ as cargo in their patrol area. The pickings can get pretty slim at some points during the game.

[ouch]

their bounty is based on what the pirate has done recently.

Pirates start at 500 and it goes up (by 250 iirc) if they just shoot someone and fail to land the last shot that kills the moth. After a certain amount of time another 250 is added even if their still engaging that same moth. And then it goes to 2000 if they actually make a kill.

It's actually the same system you and everyone else in the game is subjected too. Yes traders and scavengers can get bounties put on their heads too. The only ones who can't are members of the police.

So if every pirate is worth 500 then chances are most of the traders are dead or all the hangars are full of goods and AI can't find any more good deals so traders just sit in hangars. (second one is pretty rare however). Make efforts to protect traders if you see one under attack at the next re-spawn period. Keeping a balance of traders and pirates does wonders for opportunities. (always try to have a bit more traders than pirates though)

[Captain Zedo]

I sort of figured that a lack of targets was why some pirates never have a big bounty. Jade Falcon in Highrise almost never gets above $1000. I've never really known the details of how the bounty system works. Would you consider writing an article for the site?

[cobra]

I've noticed bounties going up, even on what are for sure non-original pirates. Seems to be exactly what was supposed: lack of targets.