Merits

Players have several choices when it comes to obtaining merit. These include Combat with non allied factions players, Transportation of cargo for the fortification of ones own factions systems, combat in expansion system, and the killing for foreign diplomats.

1. Combat with players who belong to a non allied faction will award 30 merit points per kill. Despite the appearance of the Galactic Powers Standing screen there are only three factions as far as the merit points system is concerned when pertaining to player combat. These are the Empire, Federation, and Alliance. Players hoping to earn merit through player vs. player combat should be aware that attacking players who belong to the same faction will result in a net loss in merit. For example if a player belonging to Zachary Hudsons faction were to kill a player belonging to Felicia Winters faction that player would lose merit because both factions belong to the Federation.
2. Combat in Expansion systems can only be done when a faction that expands through combat is expanding. The factions that expand through combat are A Lavigny Duval, Archon Delaine, Denton Patreus, and Zachary Hudson. In order to utilize this method for earning merit a player must fly to the expansion system and find the expansion related Military Strike Zones. These Military Strike Zones have different names depending on the expansion faction. Players should watch out for are Crime Sweeps, Security Sweeps, Resistance Pockets, and Violent Protests. Players can earn merit in any factions Military Strike Zones by either helping allied forces or opposing the expansion of enemy factions. It is important to note that players must pick a side under their functions tab in order to earn merit.