Planet M.U.L.E.

Maybe its just me, but since 1.2.3, I've played about 4 or 5 games and every time it has had a 1st turn pirate, and only one game were there not first and second turn pirates.... seems to be heavily weighted to pirate attack on first turn.  (Not that that's bad 1st turn event, BUT, it is predictable, and that's not good).
-S

For a short while, I had convinced myself that there was a bias towards Pirates coming back-to-back.  I had seen it in quite a few games in short succession.   But that eventually tapered off.   

I haven't played enough games in 1.2.3 (due to the lobby issues), to agree or disagree with you, but Pirates on first round does seem to be more common that an other given round, but of course you'd naturally notice it more on round 1 than any other round by itself.

The events Meteorite Strike, Planetquake, Radiation and Planetary Pest can't happen in the first round since they can make the game too unfavorable for one particular player. This makes it more likely for pirates to appear in the first round than any other round.

wow really? was it that way on the commodore or is that new?

I do remember pirates coming quite frequently in turn 1 on the C-64, but pirates in those days would take Ore if there was no crystite.  Strangely, I think that is far worse than first round pest-attack, since everyone has full food...  I understand it now.  For a while I thought it was all first round store burn, which I have to say, I think 75% or better of my games have had either 1st round store burn, or 1st round pirates.  To be fair, I love a first turn pirate attack.  Makes it less likely later when I have a lot to lose. :)
Thanks.
-S