The Rules of Ransoms

The Rules of Ransoms This is a list of what I believe ransoms entail, including all rules to be followed by both the ransomer and ransomed. What is a ransom? A ransom is accepting money or other objects of value in exchange for someone freedom or survival. The most simple form of ransom is accepting isk to not blow up someone's ship. Rules of The Ransomer · ALWAYS Honor the ransom - you ruin it for others if you dishonor a ransom · Inform the victim of ALL rules and procedures BEFORE letting them go. · Survival is more important than finishing the ransom - If you may be in danger, do not try to stick around and ransom. They may not pay or just be playing bait. · Each ransom should only take 30 seconds or less. 10 seconds to inform them of the cost, 20 seconds given to pay while you explain the rules. · Grab N Go - Do NOT stick around after the ransom, in case the victim comes back with friends. Rules of The Ransomed · Make it known you want a ransom - People are more likely to offer a ransom if they know you are willing to pay. · Do not shoot back and stop your ship. If you shoot, they might decide to dishonor the ransom. · Comply with ALL the ransomer's demands - Remember they are making the rules, you are the victim here. · Pay Promptly - Stalling for time so you can escape very rarely works. It may end up costing you your ship and pod regardless. Example Scenario of a good Ransom You are sitting on a gate, you and 1 friend. The gate activates and a drake appears. The slower character worries about scrambling the target, the faster of you two worries about bumping the drake. Bump the drake away from the gate with one of your ships while the other positions himself between the drake and the gate. This is so that to get to the gate the drake has to go around your ship, buying more time to shoot. Open conversation: You "Stop your ship, this is a ransom" The victim stops his ship and is ready to comply, meanwhile you and your friend slow the damage Just enough to put their ship into structure. The reason for putting them into structure is that if you have to get out quickly or they are not going to pay, you just have to overload damage and instantly pop them. Now that they are in structure, let your friend keep their shields/armor down while you deal with the conversations. You "Pay me 60mill, you have 20 seconds to do so." The Victim makes your wallet flash. You check your wallet, but it is not 60mill. It's 60,000 isk. Never let them go without confirming the values are correct. Here we can see they try and trick you. You "Very Funny, now send the rest, you now have 10 seconds." Wallet flashes again, this time it's the correct amount. Now that you have the isk, let them know what comes next. You "Ok here's how it works, you paid so you go free BUT this ransom only covers this encounter. If we catch you tomorrow, or even later today, we will make you pay again or we will blow you up." Now that they are aware the ransom is honored ONLY until you let them go, you can now release them. Alert your friend that they have paid, and send them their share of the ransom. Now move away from that location, unless you are certain you are safe. Pro Tips for ransoming · Use your ship as a battering ram - Could they be stabbed? Do they want to get back to the gate? Bumping a ship is hands down one of the best tactics to keep your prey from escaping. · Point before webbing - Some noobs decide to web before bumping. Make sure someone calls "POINT" before you web. · Make the ransoms reasonable - it's better to ransom half the ships value because it almost guarantees they will pay.. if they aren't brain-dead. · Get the money and GTFO - Small Fish < You < Bigger Fish. You aren't the baddest in the pond so get the goods and leave quick. · Make them feel helpless - Even if skint on ammo or barely holding on yourself, make it look like there's no way out for them other than paying.