(Or, how to win the port without really trying)
In Pirates of the Burning Sea, “Port Contention” theie system to determine what nation controls each of the various ports of the Spanish Main. Nations can win contention points by completing special PvE missions, killing NPCs around an enemy port, or even dumping goods on a port and unbalancing the economy! When one nation has accumulated enough points, the port goes into contention.
Pirate PvP Zone
The early stage of port contention is reflected in the creation of a Pirate PvP zone. This zone is shown on the minimap as a circular area around the given port, letting all players know this area is contested. Pirates (and Privateers with the right skills) are free to attack any of the other nations in PvP combat, but the 3 nations cannot attack each other. In this stage the defending nation can counter the contention and return the port to normal. If they fail to do so, the Port Contention goes to the next step.
Open PvP Zone
In the second stage, a smaller, open PvP zone is created around the port. This is also reflected on the minimap and known to all players. In this zone any nation can attack any other nation. Like the Pirate PvP zones, there is a chance that this area will overlap nearby ports, forcing careful travelers to chose their path if they wish to avoid combat.
Battle Royale
Finally, a Battle Royale takes place to determine if the port is going to change hands. Twenty Four players are chosen for each side. Players who earned the most contention points have a higher chance of being selected to represent their nation. The Battle Royale is an instanced 25 v. 25 massive ship battle. Whichever side wins takes control of the port.
Any nation (England, France, Spain) that wins a Battle Royale takes control of the port instantly and the port returns to a normal state of things. If the Pirates win the Battle Royale, they loot the port for a few days, after which they sail off and the port returns to the control of the nation that they originally stole it from.
