The Escalation of Hostility: A Four-Level System
Hostility in Skull and Bones is not a simple, binary concept. Rather, it operates on a four-level system that governs how factions respond to skull and bones boosting service a player’s actions. These levels help create a sense of dynamic conflict in the game, where every move counts and players must constantly reassess their standing with the factions.
Level One: Warnings When a faction begins to perceive the player as a threat, the first signs of hostility manifest. At this level, faction ships may display yellow or orange markers, signaling that tension is beginning to rise. While not immediately aggressive, these ships may be monitoring the player’s movements. At this stage, players can still avoid full confrontation if they stop their aggressive actions or choose to withdraw from the area.
Level Two: Rising Aggression If the player continues to provoke the faction, such as by attacking ships, plundering resources, or disrupting trade routes, the faction will escalate its response. Ships will now adopt an aggressive stance, actively seeking to eliminate the player on sight. This is the point where players must decide whether to defend themselves or withdraw from hostile territory.
Level Three: Open Conflict Once hostility reaches level three, the faction has no interest in diplomacy. Ships will actively pursue the player, launching attacks wherever possible. At this point, the faction will call for reinforcements, making it much harder for the player to escape or survive. Combat becomes an ongoing affair, and retreating may be the only viable option for the player.
Level Four: Full-Scale War Hostility reaches its most dangerous level when factions declare open war. This is the final stage, where the player is viewed as an enemy of the state, and the faction will stop at nothing to eliminate them. Ambushes, persistent pursuit, and sabotage of the player’s assets will become common occurrences. At this point, players must be ready for total combat to survive.
