Is it really really hard to get ranks with Empire, or is my profile broken / bugged?

[Shaamaan]

Since I learned about the luxurious trade opportunities involving slaves inside Empire space, I was operating almost exclusively inside Empire space. Bounty hunting, trading, doing the occasional mission. And I'm not some newbie pilot - I've got a Python, Tradeconda, FAS, Vulture... so I've made plenty of credits doings various activities, and that took quite a while.

Now, I've realized I'm still an "outsider" as far as Empire is concerned. Something doesn't add up. I've gotten a rank or two with the Federation, but Empire? Noooo...

So... is this a bug, or am I impatient, or am I doing something wrong?

EDIT: Perhaps I shouldn't be flying a FEDERAL Assault Ship in Empire space, and they dislike me because of this?

 

[Elyssaen]

I've read so many conflicting views on naval ascension. I'm at Lord and Chief Petty Officer and have found it equally difficult with both after a few promotions. Difficult, but doable.

One view I've read more recently, based on someone's discussion with FD support, is that it isn't based on reputation globally or locally, but on a hidden 'experience point' tracker which simply goes up as you do missions for Empire minor factions. Outsider is quite low and Serf shouldn't be too far away, so I'd suggest:

1. Make sure you're not just completely missing ascension opportunity jobs on your BB – check on the Unavailable list too.
2. Do one or two different types of BB jobs for Empire minor factions. I've mainly done pirate hunting and charity jobs to rank up, so perhaps try those.

One of the other views I've read is that it does depend on reputation, and will work better if you do jobs for Empire minor factions you've never worked for before. Roaming a bit is fun anyway, so it wouldn't hurt to do that too.

 

[Veneil]

Since I learned about the luxurious trade opportunities involving slaves inside Empire space, I was operating almost exclusively inside Empire space. Bounty hunting, trading, doing the occasional mission. And I'm not some newbie pilot - I've got a Python, Tradeconda, FAS, Vulture... so I've made plenty of credits doings various activities, and that took quite a while.

Now, I've realized I'm still an "outsider" as far as Empire is concerned. Something doesn't add up. I've gotten a rank or two with the Federation, but Empire? Noooo...

So... is this a bug, or am I impatient, or am I doing something wrong?

EDIT: Perhaps I shouldn't be flying a FEDERAL Assault Ship in Empire space, and they dislike me because of this?

Ranking only comes from doing missions with minor factions aligned with the empire. Just trading / bounty hunting alone won't grant you a promotion mission. I myself have been doing long range hauling / smuggling from Fehu and Quince. And I've gone to count in a week.

Edit: Ninjad =D

 

[777Driver]

Not bugged, am purely doing charity/haulage/smuggling missions in Empire space for the Cutter, ranking has been quite fast. Went from Baron to Earl in 3 day's, and that's with very limited time to play ED.

Remember to only accept missions and offer charity to the minor factions aligned with the Empire.

---Been ninja'd

 

[Kzak]

Nothing broken with Imperial ranking AFAIK. I gained three ranks today, from Serf to Knight.

EDIT: I did a bunch of missions for Empire factions, to clarify.

 

[Shaamaan]

Hmm, if general trading and bounty hunting doesn't increase rank... well, I guess that would explain it. I was SURE those things would increase rank as well...

 

[777Driver]

Hmm, if general trading and bounty hunting doesn't increase rank... well, I guess that would explain it. I was SURE those things would increase rank as well...

I think general trading does help, it's just not the fastest way. My Fed ranks were all obtained primarily from heavy hauling in a T9, recruit to ensign over 5/6 months. I went from Ensign to Lieutenant Commander in a couple of days doing long range smuggling out of Robigo

 

[Shaamaan]

I think general trading does help, it's just not the fastest way. My Fed ranks were all obtained primarily from heavy hauling in a T9, recruit to ensign over 5/6 months. I went from Ensign to Lieutenant Commander in a couple of days doing long range smuggling out of Robigo

That's the thing... IF general trading increases said ranks, so does bounty hunting (probably). I was doing a LOT of BH in Empire space (including trading, and some missions), but I've yet to increase in rank.

PS. I'm allied with all 3 major factions if that's any indication...

 

[Veneil]

I think general trading does help, it's just not the fastest way. My Fed ranks were all obtained primarily from heavy hauling in a T9, recruit to ensign over 5/6 months. I went from Ensign to Lieutenant Commander in a couple of days doing long range smuggling out of Robigo

I never got any promotion opportunities from general trading or bounty hunting maybe I'm just unlucky. But long range hauling and smuggling has done wonders for me and all you need is an asp (at least that's what I use)

 

[777Driver]

I never got any promotion opportunities from general trading or bounty hunting maybe I'm just unlucky. But long range hauling and smuggling has done wonders for me and all you need is an asp (at least that's what I use)

Long range smuggling is definitely the fastest way to rank up at the moment.

 

[Shaamaan]

Also, I'd like to point out once more that I'm an "OUTSIDER". I don't know the Empire ranks, but that sounds like the first rank... I think I should have gotten a promotion, if only from doing the missions themselves (again, notice I've made enough credits, mostly in Empire space, to have several larger ships, so it's been going on for a while).

 

[lifeschool-amiga]

I'm flying toward my next rank right now, to Baron, so nothing is broken. Just do 200 missions and you'll be there.

 

[coolruningc]

small note it is not bugged as people think its is simple not displayed of how well you are doing with each rank at the moment so with 1.5 round the corner you will find that the kind dev team has put in a % bar on each of the Major factions including alliance, and the key to it is simple working for sub factions to boost your rep with the main Faction you are working for. I will point out only from my omen game play that it has been slightly harder to get a good rank form the Imperil navy but from the early star I worked for the federation for a long time and had to then get myself back on the Navy's good side so if you new to it the getting your ranks pic a side you want to be with and work for witch ever sub faction is friendly to the main Faction and have fun. as requested hears the list of the navy ranks http://elite-dangerous.wikia.com/wiki/Empire/Ranks

 

[racer1]

Long range smuggling is definitely the fastest way to rank up at the moment.

I'd agree with this. Gone from Serf to Baron this week doing long range delivery missions, plus odd smuggling one when they come up. Check for the Empire symbol on the mission. Also done all the charity missions that have spawned while collecting or delivering.

I'd also done loads of BH and trade in Empire space and not got any promotions.

 

[h347h]

Zipping along quite fast. Went from no rank to viscount in around 3 days. I mostly just do charity missions. I would stay away from stacking promotion missions as they apparently bug ranking.

 

[Troa Barton]

They won't just hand them out to you, you've likely been adding to your "faction experience" this whole time but haven't proc'd one to pop up.
You will likely get a whole bunch back to back or at least quickly once you start running a few missions.

 

[hoodini]

Got "King" today, did about 600~ charity missions ,took awhile...

 

[Shaamaan]

Guys! I don't claim that ranking is bugged for everyone! But I've been an "outsider" with the Empire for a very very VERY long time now. An OUTSIDER! I realize that further ranks can take time, but to not get even ONE rank all my time playing ED (I bought it when it came out)?!

Seriously, I feels like madness.

 

[Riverside]

Guys! I don't claim that ranking is bugged for everyone! But I've been an "outsider" with the Empire for a very very VERY long time now. An OUTSIDER! I realize that further ranks can take time, but to not get even ONE rank all my time playing ED (I bought it when it came out)?!

Seriously, I feels like madness.

Go to Quince or Fehu, do some charity & long range missions, rank up with the Empire. If you think your Cmdr is bugged raise a ticket. It definitely works though so the problem (if there is one) is with your save, not the game mechanic. I reached Earl yesterday.

 

[happyfunball]

I do think non-mission based activities not contributing to ranking, or contributing very little, is at the very least bad design. They contribute to reputation, so why not to faction ranking? Yes, I know the two are unrelated, but it's very non-intuitive to players. I managed to get to Midshipman in early game because I was running missions to make money. After that, I didn't make any rank in any factions once I started doing non-mission based trading and bounty hunting. Only recently did I start grinding missions to get myself some Imperial ranks. It just makes the whole ranking process a little tedious.