Ranks are earned by successfully completing various activities in Elite Dangerous. There are 6 different rank categories. These are 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 with benefits for completing missions.
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, mercenary, exobiologist, and CQC. All players are licensed members of the Pilots Federation and earn progress towards ranks by completing activities related to each of the 6 categories. Players who earn the rank of Elite in Combat, Trader, and Explorer attain the coveted status of "Triple Elite".
| Category | Notes | Symbol |
|---|---|---|
| Combat | Combat ranks are only earned by destroying other ships and skimmers. |  |
| CQC | The CQC Championship is a separate dedicated PvP mode of Elite Dangerous in which players battle against each other in small teams with remotely-piloted combat ships and fighters. CQC matches take place in specially-built zones with 3 different game types: Team Deathmatch, Deathmatch, and Capture the Flag. Ranks are earned in CQC by gaining experience in matches. |  |
| Exobiologist | Exobiologist ranks are earned through scientific On Foot activities. This includes using the Genetic Sampler to collect samples of alien lifeforms and selling samples to Vista Genomics. |  |
| Explorer | Explorer ranks are earned via exploration-related activities. For example cataloging new star systems and selling the acquired data to Universal Cartographics, finding new materials, and transporting VIP passengers to remote tourist destinations. |  |
| Mercenary | Mercenary ranks are earned via combat and infiltration On Foot activities, completing On Foot missions and by killing settlement personnel. |  |
| Trader | Trader ranks are earned through trade-related activities, such as amassing credits through trading commodities for profit, transporting passengers in bulk, as well as mining and selling raw resources. |  |
| Navy | Notes | Symbol |
|---|---|---|
| Federal Navy | There are 14 ranks from Recruit to Admiral in the Federal Navy Auxiliary. Higher ranks unlock access to special Federation missions, ships and grants permits to access restricted star systems. Ranks are earned by completing missions for the Federal Navy. |  |
| Imperial Navy | There are 14 ranks from Outsider to King in the Imperial Navy Auxiliary. Higher ranks unlock access to special Empire missions, ships and grants permits to access restricted star systems. Ranks are earned by completing missions for the Imperial Navy. |  |
- Main article: Empire/Ranks