Apart from the Founders World access for Elite - there doesn't seem to be any point to the ranks - I think there should be - so I came up with this list - opinions please
Combat
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HARMLESS: --- You still haven't found the trigger for firing your weapons - No Bonus.
MOSTLY HARMLESS: --- Success!!! You found the trigger - 0.5% Bonus to all damage types.
NOVICE: --- You've worked out that shields help you live longer. +1% Shield Strength
COMPETENT: --- You've managed to tweak things so that your shields recharge faster - +1% Shield Recharge Rate
EXPERT: --- Now you're getting the hang of things - 1% Bonus to all damage types.
MASTER: --- Pirates and Evildoers tremble at your approach - as do most Traders if you're in a bad mood - +5% Weapon Range
DANGEROUS: --- You've worked out that ships blow up when certain systems are targeted - +2.5% Subsystem Damage
DEADLY: --- You're a Master of weapon configuration - can fit weapons on that really shouldn't fit - -5% Power Req to all weapons.
ELITE: --- Shields!!!! Bah who needs shields - errr I do!!! 10% Faster shield recharge
Trade
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PENNILESS: --- Still got the same amount of Creds you started with.
MOSTLY PENNILESS: --- Buying loads of Donuts just to eat them doesn't count as trading - 0.5% Discount on all commodities.
PEDDLER: --- Really!!! Selling old boxes as ancient artifacts - 0.5% Profit on all sales.
DEALER: --- It fell off the back of a T9 - Honest!!! +0.5% When selling at Black Markets
MERCHANT: --- You've finally heard about Rare goods - +1 Allocation per Rare
BROKER: --- Yup it does fly like a Brick - but what did you expect? a Robin Reliant? +5% to max thrust speed in T6,7 & 9 Only.
ENTREPRENEUR: --- You'll sell anything for a profit - 2.5% Profit on all sales.
TYCOON: --- You've finally bought your own small moon - 2.5% Discount on all commodites.
ELITE: --- With an understanding of Space Time compression you can really pack stuff in!! +5% to max cargo space.
Explorer
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AIMLESS: --- You only know where the sun is because of the bright light
MOSTLY AIMLESS: --- You've worked out that Stars can have planets!! 5% Quicker Surface scans.
SCOUT: --- You've finally left the starter system!!!! +1% Jump Range
SURVEYOR: --- Yep that's how the Fuel Scoop works!!! +5% Fuel Scoop speed
TRAILBLAZER: --- Leaving the door open on the small fridge really does cool things down faster!! 5% Faster Cooldown when overheating
PATHFINDER: --- Black Holes!! Event Horizons!! You've seen a few - +2.5% Bonus to Exploration Data Sold
RANGER: --- Still no sign of Thargoids - Or anyone else for that matter - +5% to Scan Range
PIONEER: --- Yup, you are the first to find that planet!! Just need to make it home alive! +5% Jump Range
ELITE: --- You've seen it all, well most of it anyway - +10% jump Range