Work for reputation, not credits
Until Sol opens up, take missions for Federation-aligned factions and choose the reputation reward every time.
Guides // Ranks
Faction Ranks
Climb the ranks of the Federation and Empire to unlock permits, ships, and other rewards across the Bubble.
What Faction Ranks Are
OverviewThree major factions run the Bubble (The Bubble: Inhabited space around Sol, roughly 400 ly across. Everything outside it is the black.) — the Federation, the Empire, and the Alliance.
The Federal Navy and the Imperial Navy each unlock system permits and ships as you climb them. The Alliance keeps no such ladder.
Federal Navy
Recruit up to Admiral. The three mid-tier combat hulls arrive on the way, and the Corvette unlocks one rung short of the top, at Rear Admiral.
| # | Rank | Unlocks |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Recruit | — |
| 2 | Cadet | — |
| 3 | Midshipman | Federal Dropship |
| 4 | Petty Officer | Sol permit |
| 5 | Chief Petty Officer | Federal Assault Ship |
| 6 | Warrant Officer | — |
| 7 | Ensign | Federal Gunship |
| 8 | Lieutenant | — |
| 9 | Lieutenant Commander | — |
| 10 | Post Commander | — |
| 11 | Post Captain | — |
| 12 | Rear Admiral | Federal Corvette |
| 13 | Vice Admiral | — |
| 14 | Admiral | — |
Minor system permits — Vega, Beta Hydri, Ross 128 and more — drop in along the climb. The ships and the Sol permit are what you actually grind for.
Rear Admiral is the long haul. It is the deepest climb of any navy rank, but it pays out the Federal Corvette — one of the two largest combat hulls flying.
How To Rank Up
Navy rank climbs on missions for Federation-aligned minor factions — take the Reputation reward. No credit reward, only reputation.
Unlock Sol
Petty Officer opens the Sol permit. Sol is dense with stations, and dense with factions that accept donations.
Donate credits
Work the stations in turn, taking every donation mission for a Federation faction, then start the circuit again.