Why do the Curators attack the player?

[JohnBWatson]

The Black Market, which seems to share their role, doesn't bother anyone who doesn't bother them. As an organization that exists to sell illegally acquired artifacts to wealthy collectors, they don't really have any reason to attack people who are just flying around minding their own business, unless they have a reasonable suspicion that they have a rare artifact on board, or a reason to ask in self defense. Indeed, if the Curators behave with hostility towards any citizen of the Commonwealth or Corporate Hierarchy, how do they get into contact with the people they sell to?

Wouldn't it make more sense for them to start off neutral to the player(and go back to shipping to the Black Market), turning hostile if the player destroys one of their stations(and then starting to send ships after the player as encounters)? Could probably introduce trading with them as a mechanic after getting an in through the Syndikat, also.

[Xephyr]

Seems they run an illegal industry.

The great majority of antiques are fakes, which are nearly worthless - this also drives down the price of authentic artifacts that are not identified, so it makes sense that they would be outlaws. This effects both corporate and commonwealth - the former because antiques are very popular with them, and the latter because this may actually be illegal (since apparently the Commonwealth is the only one who follows/enforces law).

[Watch TV, Do Nothing]

Is being "an organization that exists to sell illegally acquired artifacts to wealthy collectors" canonically the Curators' primary activity? I thought they were some sort of cryptologues. The number of capital ships they field seems a little excessive if that's all they're trying to do.

[JohnBWatson]

Seems they run an illegal industry.

The great majority of antiques are fakes, which are nearly worthless - this also drives down the price of authentic artifacts that are not identified, so it makes sense that they would be outlaws.

They're definitely committing a crime, but so is the Black Market. Selling illegal/stolen goods doesn't necessitate open hostilities towards a government entity, let alone every single civilian belonging to it. In addition, they tend to attack the player out of nowhere in their encounters, despite there being no good reason for them to do so - a lone Wolfen flying around is unlikely to be carrying a priceless historical artifact to steal.

In addition, they are known to be partners with the Syndikat. This means they can be actively sending ships to their deaths in an attempt to kill one of their business partners' executive members for no particular reason.

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Is being "an organization that exists to sell illegally acquired artifacts to wealthy collectors" canonically the Curators' primary activity?

I believe so. George mentioned it in his playthrough, IIRC, and their activities, loot, and force composition seems to support that.

I thought they were some sort of cryptologues. The number of capital ships they field seems a little excessive if that's all they're trying to do.

Their capital ships are frigates - armed transports that are primarily used to transport goods. The Fleet's Aurochs - Class fills the same role. Given the value of the genuine artifacts they ship, it makes sense that they'd put a fair amount of money into arming the ships that carry them, in order to deter piracy or intervention by the rightful owners of their product.

[JohnBWatson]

I just realized - this also applies to the Death Drug Cartel. If they shoot at anyone who gets close to their stations, how do they make any sales?

[Song]

I just realized - this also applies to the Death Drug Cartel. If they shoot at anyone who gets close to their stations, how do they make any sales?

Well if you've been shot full of holes you'll definitely be in need of some medicine, won't you?

[TheLoneWolf]

Yup. The Death Drug and the Meth both attack you. There must be a function, so that they stop attacking you after you acquire a BM ROM.

[Watch TV, Do Nothing]

Presumably DD and Meth have their own contacts and way of doing business with the Black Market, and the player is not part of that arrangement. Criminals have good cause to be paranoid about the intentions of other criminals, even if they have a shared associate.

[TheLoneWolf]

Maybe the Curators are such paranoid freaks.

[JohnBWatson]

Presumably DD and Meth have their own contacts and way of doing business with the Black Market, and the player is not part of that arrangement. Criminals have good cause to be paranoid about the intentions of other criminals, even if they have a shared associate.

Still, one would wonder why they attack generic Commonwealth civilians who aren't doing anything to bother them, and why they send squadrons out specifically to attack and kill the player.

[Atarlost]

Because the game needs variety of enemies a lot more than it needs waste of space factions that don't interact with the player at all.

[JohnBWatson]

Because the game needs variety of enemies a lot more than it needs waste of space factions that don't interact with the player at all.

There are plenty of factions that don't send ships after the player in encounters.

There's even already a hostile faction that doesn't bother the player initially, and becomes friendly if he sticks to a certain conduct(in that case, blowing up opposing stations and sparing their own.)

[sun1404]

The Huari exists for a very important reason: Their own questline.

[PM]

The Huari exists for a very important reason: Their own questline.

And after you finish it, the Huari outlive their usefulness and you can turn and kill them for even more loot.

[JohnBWatson]

The Huari exists for a very important reason: Their own questline.

Right - they have a story - based reason to stop attacking at a certain point. It seems like the Curators and Death Drug Cartel might have one as well.

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The Huari exists for a very important reason: Their own questline.

And after you finish it, the Huari outlive their usefulness and you can turn and kill them for even more loot.

I do that too. Avenge all of those defenseless freighter pilots.