Ranks are earned by successfully completing various activities in Elite Dangerous. There are six different rank categories overseen by the Pilots Federation, which trains, licenses, and monitors all independent pilots in the galaxy. The Federal Navy and Imperial Navy both offer ranks of their own for completing missions that support them.
Pilots Federation Ranks
- Main article: Pilots Federation
The Pilots Federation ranks all pilots in the galaxy on a scale from Harmless to Elite. A pilot's rank can be improved through trade, exploration, combat, and CQC. All players are licensed members of the Pilots Federation and will earn progress towards ranks by completing activities related to each of the four categories. Players who earn the rank of Elite in Combat, Trader, and Explorer attain the coveted status of "Triple Elite". CQC ranks are considered a separate category.
Combat
- Main article: Combat
Combat ranks are earned only by destroying other ships and skimmers.
Trader
- Main article: Trader
Trader ranks are earned through trade-related activities, such as amassing credits through buying and selling commodities for a profit, transporting passengers in bulk, and mining and selling raw resources.
Explorer
- Main article: Explorer
Explorer ranks are earned through exploration-related activities, such as cataloging new systems and selling the acquired data to Universal Cartographics, finding new materials, and transporting VIP passengers to remote tourist destinations.
CQC
- Main article: CQC Championship
The CQC Championship is a separate dedicated PvP mode of Elite Dangerous in which players battle against each other in small teams using remotely-piloted combat ships and fighters. CQC matches take place in specially-built zones and have different three game types: Team Deathmatch, Deathmatch, and Capture the Flag. Ranks are earned in CQC by earning experience in matches.
Mercenary
- Main article: Mercenary
Mercenary ranks are earned through combat and infiltration On Foot activities, including completing On Foot missions and killing settlement personnel.
Exobiologist
- Main article: Exobiologist
Exobiologist ranks are earned through scientific On Foot activities, including using the Genetic Sampler to collect samples of alien life forms and selling those samples at Vista Genomics.
- Main article: Federation/Ranks
There are 14 ranks in the Federal Navy Auxiliary, from Recruit to Admiral. As players reach higher ranks, they are allowed access to special Federation missions and ships, and are granted permits to access restricted systems. Ranks are earned by completing missions for the Federal Navy.
- Main article: Empire/Ranks
There are 14 ranks in the Imperial Navy Auxiliary, from Outsider to King. As players reach higher ranks, they are allowed access to special Empire missions and ships, and are granted permits to access restricted systems. Ranks are earned by completing missions for the Imperial Navy.