Lets get political - An open discussion on Powers and Factions

[TomoRosso]

Independent... you say you are "Independent" but that don't support anyone. How about you choose one of the three independent factions in space and exert you influence as Commanders.

A small group of commanders and myself are already exerting our influence in the region we operate in. Choosing a power, even one that flies under an "independent" banner would mean we are no longer independent but pawns in a larger agenda. Power Play does not interest me at all, primarily because "blaze your own trail" becomes "blaze "X's" trial. None of the "independent" powers appeal to me, a pirate lord, an ooby dooby guru and a corporate entity .... no thanks.

Not making a choice is just waiting for one to be forced upon you. Eventually there will be only one Federation faction, two Imperial factions, and a cluster of small independent factions huddled between them while the Alliance hovers above it all.

The region we are operating in now is not controlled by any power at the moment, if that changes we can up ships and move somewhere else.

Systems may come under the authority of small factions that pledge themselves to a source of government but the Powers that be will eventually force you to choose a side or take action. I say you should not wait to take action till it is forced upon you. I say it is better to choose a side then make quips about freedom while you fly through the dominion of an individual.

The day all inhabited space becomes the dominion of the powers is the day I'll fly my ship into the nearest sun and uninstall the game, because it will no longer be the game I bought.

[Walter]

Independent... you say you are "Independent" but that don't support anyone. How about you choose one of the three independent factions in space and exert you influence as Commanders.

Not making a choice is just waiting for one to be forced upon you. Eventually there will be only one Federation faction, two Imperial factions, and a cluster of small independent factions huddled between them while the Alliance hovers above it all.

Systems may come under the authority of small factions that pledge themselves to a source of government but the Powers that be will eventually force you to choose a side or take action. I say you should not wait to take action till it is forced upon you. I say it is better to choose a side then make quips about freedom while you fly through the dominion of an individual.

When the void was populated by governments freedom was everywhere, but now it is as the European continent of the past, divided and owned.

Fight for your freedom!

Not sure I follow your reasoning.
Independence does not imply indolence and non-participation or even just playing for the money and toys. There are a lot of successful systems and minor factions out there that don't subscribe to major factions or Powers and probably feel they don't need to. And there are a lot of players who are quite happy to support them, promote their independence and fight for their freedom to cut their own path without being exploited by anyone with a bigger stick.

[adeira]

I don't fly exclusive for or against anyone. I go there where credits can be earned. As it are credits that allow me, as an independent contractor (which basically we all are), to move on from an Asp into something bigger, like a Python.

In the course of that pursuit I've become allied with the Federation (these guys were simply the first, as I started out in a little sidewinder in one of their stations, and I've flown a lot of missions around that station to allow the upgrade from sidewinder to adder to cobra to asp). With the Asp, and my second ever community goal, I've become allied with the Empire. And bought a nice, shiny clipper from one of their shipyards.

Right now I'm earning credits using the bonus from my first ever community goal, which are the 50 rares from Diso. In the course of that (during the past two weeks), my standing with the Alliance has already become friendly, and is well on it's way to allied as well.

As far as preferences go. I'm partial to the Federation. Slaves should be illegal ! However, of the 10 factions, I actually prefer Aisling Duval. So I guess I'll stay an independent bystander, and just go where the money making opportunities are. And keep my home base firmly in Ackerman Market, where all of my ships currently reside (either in storage or docked). Which, coincidence or not, is an indenpendent station

[Xariann]

I'm part of the Imperial Navy. My personal opinniom cannot come in the way of duty and my duty is to protect the Empire and if A-Lavigny Duval orders a military strike, that's where you'll find me.

While Asling's populist view of the Empire is enticing, at the end of the day I am good in a cockpit, behind the weapons, I'm not a PR person.

[StaticRadion]

I'm part of the Imperial Navy. My personal opinniom cannot come in the way of duty and my duty is to protect the Empire and if A-Lavigny Duval orders a military strike, that's where you'll find me.

While Asling's populist view of the Empire is enticing, at the end of the day I am good in a cockpit, behind the weapons, I'm not a PR person.

Eh, I am not really political, but I wanted to get some creative answers to why there were so many not participating in Powerplay. Really, like most politicians, I was just talking out of my backside.

[uvelius]

I share Xarianns view, whilst from the viewpoint of a Blood Serpent. Also I do respect the other Empire powers -- with some healthy bias against that overdressed powermonger of doubtful loyalty trying to bribe us with big big advanced plasma throwers -- and wouldn't actively work against them, instead even support them indirectly if need be for the Empire as a whole. Ut quisque est sua.

In terms of gameplay, for me the decision between
a.) gaining merits for you power (up to now with no Wing action, which is a shame) but no money OR
b.) earning money through bounties and bonds but no merits
gives me a hard time as a casual player ... while I am participating in PP, it does seem a bit too much grinding to make some difference there.
So I am not sure yet how far I will dive into PP in the end. With more time it certainly wouldn't be that hard, but as it is, I have to equip and insure a nice red Python you know ...

[robfm81]

I'm with pranav. I like a challenge and supporting the underdog. Tech utopia sounds cool too.

[Grifs]

Started as a feddie pilot when they allowed me into their ranks after hauling some random cargo for them. I've only been involved with the Empire and Alliance due to the bounties I've delivered from CG and KW-scanners. My role kind of fits the independent profile (i'm just usually hauling cargo and killing pirates all over civilized space), but I've already been involved in some missions with Feddie Black Ops - I suppose that makes me some sort of federal merchant marine.

In any case, I've joined Aisling's power. While I'm not too fond of doing PR and media distribution (yes, my place is facing a twisted version of what seems to be from a populist regime atm, although that's not something to talk about), that shield generator is MINE!

I'm more inclined in Felicia Winters and Arissa Lavigny; the former trying to do more peaceful methods and prolly lessen friction between the Empire and Fed, from what I know. Then the latter trying to weed out corruption in the Empire, who somewhat shares my sentiments on Patreus (i dont trust his expansionist methods of pay-up-debt-or-takeover on independent systems either). Torval seems to think on a business-wise perspective, but dealing with slaves aren't my cup of tea.

As for the others, people like Hudson get results and looks like he knows who to choose for the right jobs, but things escalate rather quickly with him around. Sirius, Alliance, and that Utopian thing, I don't know enough yet. Antal seems to be some sort of idealist, but I haven't gotten involved with him to know enough of his method of jurisdiction.

[Xariann]

Aside from the ealier roleplay-style answer, the reason I went for Arissa was purely from a gameplay perspective.

I get the bounty hunting bonus, and I also get two ways to earn merits: combat and trading.

I initially went for Aisling for the shields, but I didn't care for the rest of the bonuses.

I wanted to do something like rank 3 with Aisling then switch, but realistically I don't have the time. So I just went for Arissa.

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[Withnail]

I've done something I never thought I would do and joined Archon.

I'm playing in open or solo whilst doing stuff for this power, so it wouldn't effect any group members.

Basically, I came back from 8 weeks of exploration a bit stir crazy and wanted to do something completely different.

It's not much different than playing for another power to be honest, you've got to grind NPC's for credits.