Merger would do very little for some time zones be nice for others... It wouldn't hurt any of them.
I think the biggest mistake was removing so many of the Free towns...
I still think IT would have been best to Give the Pirates Igauna Region Kidds Island , Bensalmn and Aves and Cogi... No Green zones around the singles.. They would be Neutral Pirate controlled towns... So anyone could dock and trade but at own risk... Only pirates could have buildings in them.. Then no RvR for Pirates.. Make SHips and pirate Nationals...
Reinforcement Zones need to be BR level of attackers if the target is above a set rank.. Stupid respond levels to protect the noobs... But if you can fully man any of the 5th rates and you get jumped by 3 other 5th rates all you should get is 2 more 5th rates to help not a 1st Rate Squadron(something which never existed ever in the age of sail)... Yes I know I rambled.. I'm old deal with it