On page 39 under Stage 1, the rules for pirates says:
"Pirates do not generate these opportunities at Hiring Halls. Instead, they roll in the same way as mercenaries to generate “offers,” using the “No Hall” option and their leader’s Investigation skill instead of Negotiation."
The rules does not mention expressly whether or not a pirate force modifies this roll by their reputation modifier and on my 1st read through I interpreted the RAW as excluding this modifier (which starts as a -10). It made sense that a pirate forces reputation would have no effect on their ability to locate a target.
however, after reading the rules on pg. 39 under Stage 2, I am reconsidering my initial interpretation. Rule reads as such:
"This step is not so much determining an employer as selecting a victim. Pirates roll in the same manner as a mercenary Force with the “No Hall” modifier. The result is the victim targeted by each raid opportunity."
Both sections say roll in the same manner. Each section also expressly mentions those aspects that a different. They make no mention on whether a pirate exclude their reputation modifier.
However, if a pirate force should add their rep mod, a pirate force will be hard pressed to find targets and those targets are almost universally going to by 'Independent Worlds or Small States" with independent targets being Nobles with an occasional Planetary Government.
Is this the intended result or are pirates not supposed to add their rep mod as I originally believed?
