Emissary Flag Question

from my understanding if you get someones lvl 5 emissary flag u get a nice bonus…but the only reason people raise the emissary flag is to get. bonus for grinding…so rare gives us a option to get a bonus for raising a flag but also makes us a target…makes no sense…it seems like pve people always get the shaft in this game

and yes i understand this game is designed to be pvp…problem is when the majority of the game is pve oriented but hide it behind the pvp moniker…then add arena mode which is even more pvp lol so as a who you have a pve game that was designed to be pvp but its not…this is the soul issue lots of people have…if you want the game pvp…then dont add all of this pve stuff because then you create issues…it just frustrates players trying to grind this game because unfortunately this game is very grindy. so rare is like ok here is all this pve stuff…grind away, spend countless hrs unlocking things…BUT be prepared to be attacked, sunk, have your look stolen, lose all your progress, etc…your literally setup for failure hence the emissary flag issue lol

Firstly it's not a PvP game. It's a PvPvE. I know that's silly but there is an actual difference. Secondly, in my experience it depends on the the emissary you raise. I run Gold Hoarders mostly and I rarely run into aggressive players, maybe 1 in 10. Merchant I fins it similar to GH if not a little more. last night I did Order of Souls and the first ship I encountered was hostile. I also find that when I do order of souls I end up in a lot more conflict. Im also a player who rarely initiate combat, and attempt to make alliances with anyone I meet. A good rule of thumb is if you see a ship approaching you, be ready to run. I find more success in forming alliances when I slowly approach a ship docked at an island. I always use the wave emote and then offer them a piece of treasure. 9 times out of 10 they react friendly and will usually form an alliance. Good luck on the seas my friend, and please don't get too discouraged. This game is about win some and losing most. You've got to really pick your battles!

And just to clarify, I 100% always run an emissary unless I'm doing talltales.

When my friends and I are doing reapers and we see a boat with an emissary flag that’s our main target. Not only would you get the flag (which is a lot of rep and gold) but you’ll get all the extra loot on board too. If you manage to sink them that is.

If you raise a flag just know you’re a possible target. More so than someone without the flag.

Being a pvp target is EXACTLY the point of the emissary flag. It's the price you pay for the treasure bonus. Otherwise, what's the point in giving you the flag for no added risk trade off. Remember everything in the game is designed around a risk reward tradeoff.

@personalc0ffee Not to mention the reapers in exchange get a giant target on them since they are visible on the map, including their flag level.

@madfrito99 That is the whole purpose behind the emissary system - you get higher rewards but risk more as you are making yourself a target willingly. The longer you keep it up and higher you rank it, the bigger target you become. You don't want to be a target for Reapers (or at least less of one) then grind away without raising a flag.

So if you want to lay low, forget the emissary system and just play the game as it was before that was introduced. Definitely don't use it during Tall Tales. There are so many ways to earn rep now that it really isn't necessary. And don't grind, enjoy the ride.

P.S. - I did enjoy completing that Tall Tale with you the other day. Thanks for having me aboard.

@madfrito99

You have an emissary flag, that tells me that you've most likely got treasure on board. And I want that treasure because I'm a pirate!

Also, the Reaper's Bones company is literally supposed to steal your flag so they can progress in their levels.

The emissary system was intentionally designed as a high risk and high reward system. And you know how the saying goes: "if you can't take the heat then get out of the kitchen." Nobody is forcing you to fly an emissary flag. :)