I'm Clean, they're Clean. Why are they attacking me?

[Disembodied]

Named after the Pirette Lady Elizabeth Killigrew, no doubt..

Could be! Although I doubt many people referred to her as "Bessie". Not more than once, anyway ...

[Cody]

... but there should perhaps be some kind of clue that lets you figure out they're assassins...

<grins> For some strange reason, I don't have any problems identifying assassins - and please leave their names as is, Diz.

[Diziet Sma]

and please leave their names as is, Diz.

Will do.. as cim has pointed out, the current (patched) situation actually makes the most sense anyway.

[Switeck]

I'm hoping assassins are rare in the "plain" (no OXPs) game even v1.80.
While they make some sense in dangerous anarchy systems, getting blown up just after arriving at a Confederacy still sucks.

[Diziet Sma]

Assassins don't go around targeting random strangers.. they go wherever their contracted victim will be arriving.. regardless of whether that happens to be at an Anarchy, a Confederacy, or even a Corporate State. Which is part of why they take such pains to remain clean. Who need the cops breathing down your neck when you're just trying to do your job?

Therefore, they won't attack you unless you've done something that's upset somebody enough to pay for a hit. Of course, carrying certain parcels and/or passengers may do just that. Mind you, often it will be the parcel or passenger that's the primary target.. you just happened to be the bunny carrying it/them. Of course, make enough of a nuisance of yourself doing those type of jobs, and someone may well decide that it's worth putting a price on your head too.

(what.. you didn't think those high-paying customers were offering you all that money for such a piddling little job, out of the goodness of their hearts, did you? )

So far as how dangerous a Confederacy (or any other 'safer' system) is, that now depends to some extent on the surrounding systems, as it should. A Confederacy surrounded by mostly Corporate States will have far less trouble with pirates than a Confederacy surrounded by lots of Anarchies and Feudal States.

[Malacandra]

I'm hoping assassins are rare in the "plain" (no OXPs) game even v1.80.

[Venator Dha]

Some purely subjective experience:
Assassins are more likely to appear in unsafe systems than safe. So re-route if possible.
Assassins who appear in safe systems are targeted by the police (if around) once they have attacked you, but not before.
I've had assassins & pirates jump me at the witchpoint in Anarchies

[onno256]

I' ve been playing 1.80 for a while now, and i have indeed seen the change in how the basic missions are handled.
Usually when i'm transporting a passenger i get jumped upon in the more dangerous systems, nice surprise, and thanks for fuel injectors!

The new Oolite is outstanding, with the biggest jump forward in gameplay since previous versions.
Many thanks for all the hard work!

Greetz,
Onno.

[Diziet Sma]

Assassins who appear in safe systems are targeted by the police (if around) once they have attacked you, but not before.

Hmm.. I was under the impression that if there were cops around, the assassins would discretely tail you until the coast was clear, then attack you..

[Neelix]

Assassins who appear in safe systems are targeted by the police (if around) once they have attacked you, but not before.

Hmm.. I was under the impression that if there were cops around, the assassins would discretely tail you until the coast was clear, then attack you..

That's true, but will they actually break off an attack if a Viper comes into the area once they start?

(also something the player needs to keep an eye on, as naturally you're the one that will end up with a bounty if the GalCop ships happen to see you firing first)

- Neelix

[Venator Dha]

Assassins who appear in safe systems are targeted by the police (if around) once they have attacked you, but not before.

Hmm.. I was under the impression that if there were cops around, the assassins would discretely tail you until the coast was clear, then attack you..

Maybe that as well, though I've not seen that
It may be that I kited them to the cops

[Disembodied]

That's true, but will they actually break off an attack if a Viper comes into the area once they start?

Yes, they do. Very disconcerting, that was. "Aha!" I thought, "Help at last!" - but no: the buggers just tailed me, and let their lasers cool. One Viper, at the scanner's edge, sent the message "You'll be space dust!", although whether that was addressed to me or to some villain off-scope that they were chasing, I don't know. I'd hate to think that they were fully aware of what was going on, and just turning a blind eye. When the price on your head gets high enough, and the system you're in is dodgy enough, maybe even the cops can turn on you ...

[cim]

I'm hoping assassins are rare in the "plain" (no OXPs) game even v1.80.
While they make some sense in dangerous anarchy systems, getting blown up just after arriving at a Confederacy still sucks.

It depends where you go. They prefer systems where the cops won't interrupt and their targets can't easily go around. Sometimes you'll have time to take a detour to avoid them; sometimes you'll have unwisely offered to take a key witness in a mob trial to the wrong side of the Maorin pass...

[Diziet Sma]

sometimes you'll have unwisely offered to take a key witness in a mob trial to the wrong side of the Maorin pass...

And just for those who may be wondering what a "fun" route that can be..
The Maorin Pass

[Diziet Sma]

I can see it's almost time to write an entirely new tips & tactics playbook for 1.80.