Newcomer / Intro how do combat zones work?

[Sierra275]

Hi guys,

Can someone please explain how combat bonds work? From what I've heard, you get them by killing ships in a conflict zone. I'm currently staking out the high intensity one at Sorbago, but I haven't gotten a cent from killing ships (I sided with the Empire btw, so I'm killing local security ships). I've heard that you need to choose a faction when you enter the combat zone, but I have never been presented with that option after entering the combat zone over five times. Are there certain prerequisites, like you must be friendly with the Empire, or you have to accept a certain mission in order for kills to count towards combat bonds? Or does it only work in Open play? The closest I've ever come to choosing a "side" is just by shooting the guys on the other side, but I don't get any combat bonds or anything.

Also, is killing the resistance a viable way to up my Empire reputation and/or rank?

Thank you

 

[Tiamat]

Once you drop into the combat zone look under Functions in your right UI to choose a side.

I won't comment on whether it gains you rep or not as I clearly don't understand it. I have become friendly with several factions in one system despite the fact I have spent several weeks blasting wanted members of those factions so I should be losing rep??

 

[krysohmyz]

All said above. Plus, check the newsfeed on the station nearby regarding who's fighting for who's side to pick correctly.

For example Empire would support some shady faction so it could undermine Federal democracy in the system, so you have to pick the right subfaction to be able to gain rep with the major one.

 

[Sargon]

So do our actions within combat zones now carry over to outside the zones? They didn't used to if I recall... Please correct me if I'm mistaken.
This would be great since I need some better rep with the Federation.

 

[krysohmyz]

Well, it's all guessing, of course, like with most of the game's mechanics, but warzones are currently the only way I can get the Empire rep.
With trading I can easily gain rep with the station's faction, but even as it is allied with the Empire, I don't get any blue arrows. And the same with missions - the summary always says 0% (Well it says positive 0%, which is even more confusing. )