Major factions/rank question. What am I missing?

[BlackLegionnaire]

This has probably been asked before, I've checked the forums briefly but couldn't find an answer.

How can you hold a rank (whether a high or a low rank) in more than 1 faction??? I mean, yes you can in this game, but it doesn't make sense! what am I missing?

If ED is set in a cold war "Now, 1,000 years later, in the year 3300, both Factions have grown in size, in technology, and are in a state of Cold War where their settlements overlap. Both sides back proxy wars and rebellions as disputes break out around human space and they reward Pilots who work on their behalf."

Isn't it a conflict of interest? eg. You're a Lieutenant in the Federation and say a Viscount in the Empire.... This is silly, you're essentially a spy working for both sides right? Your loyalty is BIGTIME divided!

You should be only able to pick one......

Or am I way off and someone needs to drill the proper facts into my head....

cheers

 

[Hellhawk666]

Short answer: yes. No reason why a free trader can't sell goods to both sides, or a mercenary work for any customer. The ranks are civilian honorifics rather than military ranks with attached duties.

Then again, once Powerplay starts we might see this getting a bit more restrictive.

For myself, I'd prefer to see it highly interactive, with increase in rep for one of the powers/factions meaning an automatic decrease in rep with their enemies, and a slight increase with their allies, etc.

EDIT: added more details to make the meaning clear

 

[BlackLegionnaire]

Sorry Hellhawk, yes to what?

 

[BlackLegionnaire]

But reputation and rank are different, allied yes both sides for trading no problem! but holding a rank as an Officer IN THE WAR! that's big!!!

 

[Tuub t Tute]

Short answer: because you can.

Longer answer: If you'd started in Fed space and ranked up for a Dropship at the old price, would you have been happy to see all the Imp Clipper Pilots swanning around thumbing their noses at you? Whether that means that any rank up in one faction should decrease rank in the other, well that is a different discussion.

 

[Patrick_68000]

To belong to several factions at the same time, is tolerated in anticipation of the future invasion of Thargoids. For the good of the humanity

 

[BlackLegionnaire]

Short answer: because you can.

Longer answer: If you'd started in Fed space and ranked up for a Dropship at the old price, would you have been happy to see all the Imp Clipper Pilots swanning around thumbing their noses at you? Whether that means that any rank up in one faction should decrease rank in the other, well that is a different discussion.

tbh, I'd be happy with what i got, and if one day I felt differently I'd wipe my save and start over. lol true though....

Tuub, yes! THIS is the discussion we should be having! well done! Ranking up in one faction should decrease the other!

I've giving you a rep