How is the Combat Rating of NPCs calculated in CZs?

[SpeakerToAliens]

For balance purposes the combat rating of NPCs you meet at random is influenced by your own combat rating. How is the combat rating of NPC opponents in Combat Zones selected?

[I wiped my save when 2.1 came out and I'm now Mostly Harmless, but got blasted to pieces in a low intensity CZ by a ship armed with multiple never-miss Rails last night. Jinking/thrusting/viffing/ FA-Off/boosting all like a madman and only just managed to escape with 1% hull and a hole where my canopy used to be. I got to a station for repairs with 30 seconds air left.]

 

[Becks]

For balance purposes the combat rating of NPCs you meet at random is influenced by your own combat rating. How is the combat rating of NPC opponents in Combat Zones selected?

[I wiped my save when 2.1 came out and I'm now Mostly Harmless, but got blasted to pieces in a low intensity CZ by a ship armed with multiple never-miss Rails last night. Jinking/thrusting/viffing/ FA-Off/boosting all like a madman and only just managed to escape with 1% hull and a hole where my canopy used to be. I get to a station for repairs with 30 seconds air left.]

I think the ranks in a CZ depend more on if it's low intensity or high intensity. Your rank is only a minor factor there.

 

[Cosmos]

I think the ranks in a CZ depend more on if it's low intensity or high intensity. Your rank is only a minor factor there.

I just hopped into one for a look and either those ships are tuned for me or low intensity means very little. Didn't see any lower rank ships.

I pity a noob going in atm.

 

[Becks]

I just hopped into one for a look and either those ships are tuned for me or low intensity means very little. Didn't see any lower rank ships.

I pity a noob going in atm.

I just assume you're elite

I've never seen anything beneath Expert in the CZs, even with my alt which is still Mostly Harmless.