A word about "rep-stealing"...

[Sven Osymthe]

You don't get a bonus unless you are in a crew, even then you still have a good chance of getting reduced rep.

Here is just a example I came up with regarding rep. Assume that pirate 1 (P1) is level 40, pirate 2 (P2) is level 30, enemy 1 (E1) is level 40, and enemy 2 (E2) is level 30. Now for rep, high (H), medium (M), low (L).

P1 + E1 = H for P1
P1 + P2 + E1 = M for P1, H for P2
P2 + E1 = H for P2, as well as possible death

P1 + E2 = M for P1
P1 + P2 + E2 = L for P1, M for P2
P2 + E1 = H for P2

If you notice, the pirate who can't kill the higher level enemy alone always gains medium to high rep. However, the pirate who can kill both enemies alone gains high rep by himself, but when the other player joins in, he gains less rep.

Now, it doesn't seem fair that the higher level player is receiving less rep. If you see, when both pirates fight an enemy alone, they gain medium to high rep. If they are both in a crew, soloing enemies in the same area will give them even more rep!