Work for reputation, not credits
Until Achenar opens up, take missions for Empire-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.
Imperial Navy
Outsider up to King. The titles go medieval, but the shape matches the Federation rung for rung — Courier early, Clipper mid, Cutter at the top.
| # | Rank | Unlocks |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Outsider | — |
| 2 | Serf | — |
| 3 | Master | Imperial Courier |
| 4 | Squire | Achenar permit |
| 5 | Knight | — |
| 6 | Lord | — |
| 7 | Baron | Imperial Clipper |
| 8 | Viscount | — |
| 9 | Count | — |
| 10 | Earl | — |
| 11 | Marquis | — |
| 12 | Duke | Imperial Cutter |
| 13 | Prince | — |
| 14 | King | — |
Achenar opens the Empire's heart at Squire; a few more minor permits arrive higher up. The Cutter is the reason to reach Duke.
Duke buys the Cutter. The same deep climb as the Corvette, rewarded with the Imperial Cutter — the fastest of the big three and a cargo monster once shielded.
How To Rank Up
Navy rank climbs on missions for Empire-aligned minor factions — take the Reputation reward. No credit reward, only reputation.
Unlock Achenar
Squire opens the Achenar permit. Achenar is dense with stations, and dense with factions that accept donations.
Donate credits
Work the stations in turn, taking every donation mission for an Empire faction, then start the circuit again.