Ships that would be encountered on a regular pillage are piloted either by other players (producing PvP action) or are computer-driven, either as brigands, merchants, or barbarians. The ring is an indicator of the number of pirates aboard that ship, and their ability. In this view, the CO will see the might ring of the opposing vessel as it approaches. Once the CO has identified a potential target, he or she will switch from the radar view to the crow's nest in order to see the exact configuration and status of the ship. The color of the icon on the radar denotes the relative strength ( might rating) of the other ship in relation to the CO's, with blue being the weakest and red being the strongest. These ships will appear different colors, ranging from dark blue through green to dark red. The commanding officer on board the ship can use the radar in order to scan the ocean for other ships in the vicinity. Pirates apply for jobs aboard ships in order to assist on the pillage and hopefully add to the success of it, winning PoE from brigands and players along the way. This will add a line to the notice board jobbing section, indicating the crew name, ship name, type of ship, and the current booty shares.

The option is available to officers on an unlocked ship to post a notice for jobbers. Hiring jobbers is ordinarily done on most pillages. The vessel can be attacked either by computer-generated brigands, barbarians, or other players in a player versus player (PvP) battle.

It is important to note that when the ship is sailing on the ocean, it is able to be attacked. If the commanding officer deems enough pirates to be on board, he or she will hit the 'Set Sail' button, and the pillage will commence. This can either stay inside the current archipelago, or use an inter-archipelago chart in order to go from one archipelago to another. The commanding officer (also occasionally called the captain, not to be confused with the role of captain within a crew) of the ship (often the most senior officer on board) charts a course between two islands.

Merchants of kaidan pirates ring