more than just lack of navy rank missions (reputation always declining/allied with all federation sub-factions)

Jefe726

J
more than just lack of navy rank missions (reputation always declining/allied with all federation sub-factions)

Hi all, I've seen some semblance of related topics to my problems, but nothing has nailed it or been as involved as mine seem to be. I have submitted a bug report (even though it's not showing up as I have one submitted, but regardless...) but wanted some feedback if anyone else has experienced this or if I just missed a related discussion. Maybe have a possible explanation.

First bug:
As listed in the known issues, I haven't gotten a federal navy rank mission in 2/3 weeks. I am currently Midshipman. Also to note, I have gotten an empire rank mission during this time.

Second bug:
2/3 weeks ago, while doing bulletin board missions for federation aligned sub-factions, (mostly bounty hunting missions, but a lot of donation and trade missions as well), I was able to gain reputation increases with both federation and the sub factions aligned to them. Until somehow I became 'allied' with the federation. And now no matter what system I go to, including systems I've never been too or have done missions for the sub-factions within the system, I am also allied with all sub-factions that are aligned with federation too.

Third bug:
After 2/3 weeks of still doing missions for federation aligned sub-factions, no matter the mission type, everything has given me a reputation decline. I am still allied, but no matter what I do or where I go, I can not boost it. I did notice though I can still gain reputation increases to independent sub-factions and the empire.

Any ideas? or anyone need more info?
 

Jefe726

J
Just as an update, I haven't played since I posted. Today I decided to give it a try. I did two missions (courier and donation) for a federation aligned faction and dropped to friendly, including the federation. I did two more (also federation aligned factions) and got allied back with the faction even though it still displays a red down arrow and am still friendly with federation. what is happening?!?!?!
 

Chann3l

Chann3l
One and two are currently problems for me except I haven't even gotten my first naval mission and I have done a lot of stuff for federation. Every system I go to if the minor factioN is allied with federation I have allied status with them. I don't know if it's supposed to be this way but I didn't think so.
 

X-Terminator

Banned
X-Terminator
You are wanting this too much is why. Stop looking for it and it will come when it does so. I thought I was a Fed Midshipsman forever and no Fed missions. After tons of Combat in HiRES and using KWS to maximize payouts I was offered the Auxillary Promotion instead. Did it and then soon after I got to Warrant Officer. Most of what you do in Missions is for Minor Factions. I make donations to all of these when they come up. I really do not know if there is any clever way to not pick these. I do put it all down to the help I did in combat. Plus a few Kill 7 or 9 Pirate Missions. It adds up.
Now what I do not understand is why I can be ranking up in Feds and still they offer my bounties and 'Friendly' Status in Alliance. Is this the same with the Empire? I am Neutral but climbing with the Alliance and still get bounties for the Empire. You'd think there was no war between these! Perhaps there isn't.
 

Carradin

Carradin
What you're encountering faction-wise is a combination of two things: Major faction reputation decay, and reputation 'transfer' from the major faction to the minor faction. Neither is actually a bug, but it can seem like it if you do not know what is going on.

The reason you are seeing a red down arrow after not playing for a while is the reputation decay that applies to the major faction (Federation/Empire/Alliance). This is slow-ish, taking about two weeks to decay from max allied to high friendly, which is as low as it will go. Normal play even without grinding missions will more or less counteract the reputation decay so long as you're still working for the faction, but if you are out of the game for a while, it becomes very noticable (and in my opinion, it's a bit harsh for people who don't play much).

Now, it so happens that minor factions affiliated with one of the major factions modify your reputation with them based on your reputation with the major faction they belong to. So let's say you have a base reputation of low friendly with a minor faction alignmed with the Federation, but you are at unfriendly reputation with the Federation itself. Then, your reputation with the minor faction would get modified downwards, and you might only register as neutral. This is why you are seeing red down arrows for minor factions as well - you did NOT lose base reputation with them, but the modifier they recieve from the Federation has been reduced because your Federation reputation decayed, and so the modified reputation has gone down.

What does this mean? It means you will keep seeing the red arrow until you overcome the effects of the reputation decay that happened in your absence. But you have not actually lost any reputation with the minor factions, just with the Federation itself. And you ARE gaining reputation from the missions you do, just not enough yet to turn the loss during your absence into a gain. If you want to see your progress, log out and back in, and that should clear all reputation arrows, and you should see blue arrows showing up after you do missions (the arrows show the change since you last played, so logging out and in will give you a new starting point to work from).

So keep the faith, you are (probably) not bugged, it is just a poorly-documented mechanic. Hope that helps.
 

Jefe726

J
Thanks to all of you for replying!!! I can't say it enough! Especially Carradin. That explanation (though unfortuitous lol) is the best explanation I've gotten so far. I know there was a decay for power play, but didn't realize it was applied to reputation as well. That would certainly explain the red down arrows and why after a week I finally declined back to friendly. I think I was thinking bug because I was suddenly allied with ever minor faction I encountered (with federation) after becoming allied with federation. I also remember seeing others mention that they are higher rank despite still only being friendly. But at least I know still doing missions is not all for not. Thanks again!!!!
 

SirAdelaide

SirAdelaide
To flesh out the answer to your second point :

You look allied to all minor factions because Allied_Fed_Rep+Neutral_Minor_Rep=Allied_Displayed_Rep

You can still increase your minor faction rep. It is a little frustrating that the display doesn't separate your local rep from the major faction rep, but that's how it is.

Increase your rep with many minor factions to get more rank missions. You'll look like you are already allied with everyone, but if you haven't been there before, then they don't know you.
 

travis575757

T
The being allied to all fed alligned factions but is easy to get around, it just displays you as allied when your really not, this can be seen in how it won't let you do missions that require friendly or allied rank until you actually complete them.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom