Federation/Imperial ships fighting for independent factions

[Tolmir]

I fight in a lot of conflict zones in game, sometimes when fighting for independent factions so factions that are not aligned with the federation or empire, I see them control Federal Corvettes or Imperial Cutters even though they are not aligned with them superpowers and are independent. I’m pretty certain it’s not a bug as this is something I’ve seen a lot in conflict zones over a long period of time.

Is there a reason for this or a way for any independent faction to start having Corvettes or Cutters fighting for them like I have seen?

 

[Sentenza]

Sometimes they even field federal/imperial capital ships!

 

[Walter2]

Aren't you an independent operator flying a Cutter? Anyone can rank up in Imperial or Federation forces to gain access to big ships, so why not NPCs?

I believe it's still the case that Capital ships of both sides can turn up in conflicts involving independent and Imperial factions. Some years ago I was attempting to l liberate a remote system from Imperial control and pass power to a Democratic faction. When it came to battle a Federation Farragut Battle Cruiser turned out for the Emperor and an Imperial Majestic Class Interdictor was fighting for the Democrats.

It was a funny old galaxy in those days.

 

[Tolmir]

Just wondered why it happens, my faction always has Anacondas, we've had an Imperial capital ship fight for us once.

 

[Sapyx]

I have noticed that it is the controlling faction of the system that seems to bias what kinds of ships the Indie factions bring to a fight, rather than the faction's own alignment.

For example, in an Imperial-controlled system, Indie factions at war tend to bring Imperial ships to the fight.

Which kind of makes sense, if one assumes that most of the NPCs who go to far for a faction are locals who are going down to their local shipyard (which happens to be controlled by the Imperials) to buy their warship.

 

[Ian Doncaster]

I have noticed that it is the controlling faction of the system that seems to bias what kinds of ships the Indie factions bring to a fight, rather than the faction's own alignment.

Nice spot. That would certainly explain why out in Colonia no NPC ever uses a faction-exclusive ship in CZs (they still use the unlocked Alliance ones)

 

[Starwolfe]

I have noticed that it is the controlling faction of the system that seems to bias what kinds of ships the Indie factions bring to a fight, rather than the faction's own alignment.

For example, in an Imperial-controlled system, Indie factions at war tend to bring Imperial ships to the fight.

Which kind of makes sense, if one assumes that most of the NPCs who go to far for a faction are locals who are going down to their local shipyard (which happens to be controlled by the Imperials) to buy their warship.

I can confirm this as well.

The controlling faction influences the non-controlling factions, influencing what types of ships may be present.

It has even caused some odd occurrences where a Federation faction will field an Imperial capital ship, although those used to be glitches. It has been some time since I saw that.