Powerplay For Powerplayers: What is it like to be level 5?

[CMDR Correa]

Did any of you actually got it? What is it like? Is it too hard (or too grindy) to get there? Is it actually fun? What is the fastest way to get the merits?

I wanted to try powerplay seriously for a change, but I don't want for it to feel like a job you know? Like something you absolutely must do everyday... it sure does look like this, that's why I'm asking.

 

[Rebel Yell]

Of course, we do achieve rank 5 as the benefits for us are without doubt meaningful in case we have to fight enemies in our space (it has been also fun when we had the CG in Harma and nearby systems).

Fun and speed depends of what you want to do... fastracking forts may be expensive on the long run, otherwise you can go for undermining where you can earn ballpark 1-1.2k merits per hour (depending on luck/ship and available wing mates). This is also the method I prefer (PP ships drop also a lot of materials).

But, apart from all of that, what do you really need is to be part of the group... because achieving rank 5 is without doubt something that requires commitment. So achieving the rank whilst also supporting your power following the orders given by your leaders is the real deal. At the end of the day, that endorses also your effort as you feel part of the group and your contribution becomes meaningful.

Of course, you can do all of that on your own... but as I see you're pledged to the Archon, feel free to come on our discord and have a look at what we do.

 

[[VR] Bulbulunufus]

What they said. Getting rating 5 (and everything else about PP) becomes a lot easier, more meaningful and more fun when part of an organised group. I never get rating 5 for the sake of it, it's always in pursuing a greater strategic goal.

 

[[VR] Bulbulunufus]

Oh - and the implication here is that I don't hit rating 5 every week . PP is a long haul, and people take breaks, have quiet weeks, enjoy the rest of the game, go exploring for a few months, etc. It's normal and teams understand that. Also, minor faction work has a central role in PP but earns no merits, so you can in principle earn no merits at all and still be a star player.

 

[Mace Cartier]

It's way easier to maintain rank 5 once you get it the first time, especially if you're a combat pilot. Merits earned decay by one-half every week for four weeks, so it only takes ~5334 fresh merits per week to keep that 10,000 total figure. For a wing underminer, that's a little over an hour of work; for a hauler, that's about seven trips in a fully laden Cutter or T9. I've maintained rank 5 for a very long time, but I also undermine weekly. If you enjoy it, it's easy.

Joining the Discord server of the power you're interested in is the best way to find people who can give guidance on ships and Powerplay mechanics. Nearly every power links to their Discord in their forum objective posts or on their subreddit. The worst case is that you hit rank 5 once and get 50M credits for your trouble.

 

[CMDR Cknarf]

I'd like to make it clear that I don't engage in powerplay for RP reasons, nor do I contribute anything meaningful to my power. I'm the guy who jumps a T9 one system over, and over, delivering cargo to a place that is already fortified 500% over cap. It's all for personal gain.

Anyway, rating 5 is kind of a pain to get to, but so worth it if you plan on doing some serious AX for a week.

80 million credits for a single Medusa with the 100% bounty bonus. You can kill one of those in minutes with a few friends. I made more money than I have in 6 years just by doing AX for a couple weekends lol.

The 50,000,000 weekly bonus is chump change these days, but a long time ago, that was a healthy chunk of cash. Worth cashing in for sure, but in the time it takes to deliver 10,000 tons of powerplay cargo, you could have completed a few regular cargo missions and made more.

 

[JetsonRING]

Did any of you actually got it? What is it like? Is it too hard (or too grindy) to get there? Is it actually fun? What is the fastest way to get the merits?

I wanted to try powerplay seriously for a change, but I don't want for it to feel like a job you know? Like something you absolutely must do everyday... it sure does look like this, that's why I'm asking.

I would rather cry in a Cadillac than on a bicycle.

 

[[VR] Bulbulunufus]

Discords are also linked on inara for the respective powers.

 

[CMDR Correa]

Thanks guys. I really think I should give it a try.

 

[Tarkus Venius]

It's way easier to maintain rank 5 once you get it the first time, especially if you're a combat pilot. Merits earned decay by one-half every week for four weeks, so it only takes ~5334 fresh merits per week to keep that 10,000 total figure. For a wing underminer, that's a little over an hour of work; for a hauler, that's about seven trips in a fully laden Cutter or T9. I've maintained rank 5 for a very long time, but I also undermine weekly. If you enjoy it, it's easy.

Joining the Discord server of the power you're interested in is the best way to find people who can give guidance on ships and Powerplay mechanics. Nearly every power links to their Discord in their forum objective posts or on their subreddit. The worst case is that you hit rank 5 once and get 50M credits for your trouble.

Mace got it right here, except that it’s not “work” when you’re in a wing of friends having a few beers. We even have “music trivia” nights, Empire undermining is always a great time.

As it’s been mentioned, many of us do it for the benefits. Arissa for example will double bounties in her space, which is great for trying to manipulate factions in the Background Sim.

 

[Danieros]

The key here, at least for me, is seeing and becoming part of the community effort around it so the first step is joining the main discord for your power to give it a try. Beyond the first week, I can't remember the last time I had to push especifically to maintain rating 5 as I always end up well above it.

 

[CMDR Correa]

The key here, at least for me, is seeing and becoming part of the community effort around it so the first step is joining the main discord for your power to give it a try. Beyond the first week, I can't remember the last time I had to push especifically to maintain rating 5 as I always end up well above it.

I'll definitely do that, but I kinda wanted to get all blocked modules first.