Ranking

A central aspect of both the various Elite games and the Elite universe is the Elite ranking system.

Ranks

1. Harmless
2. Mostly harmless
3. Dangerous
4. Deadly
5. Elite

Explanation

Most traders could achieve a rank of Dangerous within about five years in space. Arguably, if a trader wanted the big profits, he wouldn’t last long unless he achieved a rating of that level. A great many pilots were Dangerous; it implied they were a seasoned space dog, ready for anything, though virtually all their kills would have been in self-defence.

Reaching the giddy height of Deadly required a lot more dedication. It meant apilot had deliberately sought out danger, witchspacing into difficult systems and facing down fierce opponents; perhaps even taking on covert military missions. Deadly implied a pilot was not just a trader, but a fighter as well; going on the offensive, taking big risks. Deadly was a rank associated with advanced skills, a rank that indicated you were cut out for bigger things, that you might be ‘Elite’ material. It indicated a single minded fixation on killing for killing’s sake, a hunter, someone apart from normal society.

Elite, of course, is something else altogether.

References

• Mutabilis by Drew Wagar, pg. 49