"We know a good raiding target"

[Sinister2202]

Marauders: "Sorry, the line is busy at this time. Please try again later, good bye."

Can we request an appointment at least, so they contact us as soon as they are finished raiding? Most times I try they are busy and I hate to check back. Their raiding fleets are proving to be formidable when most of my neighbors have 2 ~ 5k strength per fleet(s).

Marauders: "So about that offer..."
me: "Here's your money. Go get'em!"

 

[wundergoat]

Having a list that they go through would also be nice. Or go with the Sins route with a bidding mechanic.

 

[Sinister2202]

Having a list that they go through would also be nice. Or go with the Sins route with a bidding mechanic.

That would certainly be nice but they would have to be worth it for longer term than just early to mid game. They can perhaps raise the price and in return they raid with a larger fleet in late game, if they're still around.

 

[Masoz]

They do sometimes chime in when they are available, but it's inconsistent.

 

[nuyu]

Yeah we bid it, if I was a marauder I would like more $$ hell with honor.

 

[The Boz]

Empire Xyzza: "Here's 5000 credits, go wreck empire Caxcyz."
Marauder Phyxz: "Sure. Yeah."

Marauder Phyxz: "Hey, someone paid us to attack you. Give me 5000 credits, and I won't."
Empire Caxcyz: "Umm, sure, ok, here."
Marauder Phyxz: "Thanks. BTW, if you pay me 2000 credits, I'll tell you who it was."
Empire Caxcyz: "Oh, yeah, definitely, here!"
Marauder Phyxz: "It was Xyzza. If you give me 5000 credits, I'll attack them..."
Empire Caxcyz: "Sure, here's... umm... hold on, don't really have that kind of cash lying around."
Marauder Phyxz: "Too bad."

Marauder Phyxz: "We're sorry, the raid you requested can not be completed as agreed."
Empire Xyzza: "WTF!? I want my money back!"
Marauder Phyxz: "No guarantees. Bye!"

 

[Zergor]

Something I would love is that they stay relevant by using the ressourses they steal / are paid to build extra ships.
So the more people use their services the more powerful they get. That would allow them to be relevant in the late game if people often require their services.
If there is a bidding war that would make it even more interesting = paying a lot to make sure they help you would be a double edged sword because they would gain that much more power for the time you won't be able to win the bid and they ll be sent against you.

 

[RabbaDooDabba]

They do sometimes chime in when they are available, but it's inconsistent.

That is probably the mid-game message them being available as hired arms.