Why do raiders attack?

[dazhat]

Why do raiders attack? Is there a reason?

Although the fights are fun they don't really make much sense. Often attacks are hopless for the attackers even if they might do big damage to the colony the attackers will lose most of their people and still retreat. Why would a group of pirates decide to start an attack which result in most of them getting killed? I realise the game is about fun rather than realism but I just think when attacks happen "oh there goes the random event generator again".

Here are some possible reasons for an attack.

Steal food/silver
Kidnap slaves
The tribespeople think we are evil spirits sent by the gods
We are a threat to them somehow (doesn't really make sense unless we have an attack mechanic)
We killed/kidnapped a visitor from their colony
They demanded money and we refused to pay.

[Devon_v]

The tribals probably do think that the colony is some sort of evil thing that must be destroyed. The pirates want what you have. Given the seemingly endless number of pirates that exist in any given band, sooner or later someone gets a bunch of people drunk enough to go assault your base, because anything that well defended MUST be full of treasure.

[Listy]

The tribals probably do think that the colony is some sort of evil thing that must be destroyed. The pirates want what you have. Given the seemingly endless number of pirates that exist in any given band, sooner or later someone gets a bunch of people drunk enough to go assault your base, because anything that well defended MUST be full of treasure.

I do try to build a massive legendary golden statue, just to make that last statement true.

[Boboid]

I like to think that raiders are basically 40k Orks - they just really want a good fight.

Although that whole retreating business is a bit un-orky.

[dazhat]

The tribals probably do think that the colony is some sort of evil thing that must be destroyed. The pirates want what you have. Given the seemingly endless number of pirates that exist in any given band, sooner or later someone gets a bunch of people drunk enough to go assault your base, because anything that well defended MUST be full of treasure.

I do try to build a massive legendary golden statue, just to make that last statement true.

Well yes but it would be nice if the game told us why we were under attack.

[Devon_v]

The tribals probably do think that the colony is some sort of evil thing that must be destroyed. The pirates want what you have. Given the seemingly endless number of pirates that exist in any given band, sooner or later someone gets a bunch of people drunk enough to go assault your base, because anything that well defended MUST be full of treasure.

I do try to build a massive legendary golden statue, just to make that last statement true.

Well yes but it would be nice if the game told us why we were under attack.

I do believe that you are supposed to provide a reasonable explanation for the specific circumstances of your particular raid. That fits the idea of the game creating stories.

[lord rabies]

The more valueble (rich) your holding becomes, the more they want it.
It's every man(tribe) for itself, and they want your goodies.

[Dakkanor]

Pirate one -"hey look a bunch of losers crashed down nearby"
Pirate two -"yea? so what? that happens almost every year!"
Pirate one -"well i was curious so i went for a bit of a scout, one is pretty cute and they have a big pile of silver"
Pirate two -"Cutie? Silver? lets go!"
----------------------------------------------
reasoning for first raid is that you look weak and have some silver. they think its low risk high reward

P3-"did you hear about one and two?"
P4-"heard they died how'd it happen?"
P3-"some nobody spacers crashed, P1 and p2 went to try and muscle out some silver from them, all they got was a liver full of lead from a turret so badly built im surprised it worked"
P4-"i think these losers need a lesson in who's in charge here!!"
-----------------------------
reasoning for attack two, pride and anger.

over time the pirates who are recruited generate resentment, the colonies resilience gathers renown, and its success creates stories of wealth. Add in herd thinking and maybe a charismatic leader to call in favors and the colonies very existence becomes the reason for it to be attacked.

why do raiders attack? greed for whatever currencies or slaves you may have, pride thinking you wont be hard to defeat, lust for glory - to be the one to crack the colony, revenge for killing other raiders, punishment for the raiders who went turncoat. why wouldn't they attack?

[Devon_v]

And now that sappers are a thing, they can actually win!

[dazhat]

Look, I know there are reasons they attack. what I am trying to say is that the game never tells us why. I know that is part of the point with this kind of gameplay in that we invent our own story however it feels a little silly somehow that there is no explanation whatsoever.

[TheSilencedScream]

Look, I know there are reasons they attack. what I am trying to say is that the game never tells us why. I know that is part of the point with this kind of gameplay in that we invent our own story however it feels a little silly somehow that there is no explanation whatsoever.

I agree that the game should elaborate more, but my thinking is this:

You're on their world now. You weren't invited, you're taking resources that could've been theirs, and you're a threat to their operations and their well-being. Of course they'll attack you.

Try Googling the Sentinelese people, for example. We've never successfully made contact with them. Why? Because anytime someone gets close, the visitors get spears/arrows sent at them. The visitors (us and our Rimworld meatsticks) are unwelcome, misunderstood (hence why, with the proper social skills, you can recruit them - explaining who you are, what you're doing, etc.), and potential threats. Much like the Sentinelese, I imagine that the pirates - even though they may be aware of other people - view our minions in the same light.

[Lady Wolf]

Attacking could also be a matter of keep up appearances.

If they let a bunch of spacer crash trash (I.E Your colonists) just move in,take over part of their territory and set up shop they look weak to rival pirate gangs.

Looking weak in the eyes of other pirate groups naturally leads to them invading that groups territory, breaking non aggression pacts, hiking up the price on goods, etc, so it's in their best interest to remove you no matter the cost. (Besides, attacking your base is a great way for the pirate leader to let the new recruits prove their mettle and weed out the chaff. )

It's also worth noting there's nothing in the game that explains why you crashed, just that your group barely made it to the escape pods in time, it could be the pirates raided the ship you were on, and now need to finish the job so no stragglers can get away to tell the space navy armada where the pirates have set up shop and spil their secret staging ground..

Then again given some of the screw balls with colorful backgrounds you can wind up with in your initial survivor crew, I can imagine some of them may unknowingly have a hefty bounty on their heads the pirates are eager to collect on.

Or it could be all those cloaked stealth satellites Fed-com set up around the planet (you know, the ones your ship crashed into,) are transmitting your fight for survival live, on intergalactic pay-per-view for the verse's entertainment. (Rim Wars! The hottest thing to cross the Galactic Entertainment Network since the Skovian Rebellion!) and hot dropping groups of condemned prisoners to the planet with an offer of freedom if they can take your colony out. (A Guaranteed ratings grabber chummer!)

[snipes]

Attacking could also be a matter of keep up appearances.

If they let a bunch of spacer crash trash (I.E Your colonists) just move in,take over part of their territory and set up shop they look weak to rival pirate gangs.

Looking weak in the eyes of other pirate groups naturally leads to them invading that groups territory, breaking non aggression pacts, hiking up the price on goods, etc, so it's in their best interest to remove you no matter the cost. (Besides, attacking your base is a great way for the pirate leader to let the new recruits prove their mettle and weed out the chaff. )

It's also worth noting there's nothing in the game that explains why you crashed, just that your group barely made it to the escape pods in time, it could be the pirates raided the ship you were on, and now need to finish the job so no stragglers can get away to tell the space navy armada where the pirates have set up shop and spil their secret staging ground..

Then again given some of the screw balls with colorful backgrounds you can wind up with in your initial survivor crew, I can imagine some of them may unknowingly have a hefty bounty on their heads the pirates are eager to collect on.

Or it could be all those cloaked stealth satellites Fed-com set up around the planet (you know, the ones your ship crashed into,) are transmitting your fight for survival live, on intergalactic pay-per-view for the verse's entertainment. (Rim Wars! The hottest thing to cross the Galactic Entertainment Network since the Skovian Rebellion!) and hot dropping groups of condemned prisoners to the planet with an offer of freedom if they can take your colony out. (A Guaranteed ratings grabber chummer!)

I like the lasts suggestion