I like that deckhands are little safer, but there is one concern I have: They can still siege, but cant be sieged. Many deckhands join larger groups and get decent gear in no time. I have been sieged by well equipped deckhand in the past, and I believe that if he can attack me I should be able to attack him back.
Perhaps you could make it so that they loose the protection when they participate in siege. That would fix the problem.
If that was not possible, I guess its still better if all deckhands are protected as more higher ranks siege deckhands then deckhands higher ranks. It would still be nice to get rid of the protection if they attack others though.
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michty
Prime Minister of the British Empire
Governor of the Province of Canada