Tag versus ID Help?

[Juan_Arquero]

Welcome to Discovery.

TAG has multiple definitions which I'm sure is leading to your confusion:

1. Player faction tag, which means a code, usually at the beginning of a character's name that indicates that the player character belongs to a player faction (called clans on most other servers) -- the first two characters listed in my signature below, -{BD}-Kirikabu and -{BD}-Wako, belong to the Black Dragon Society, a Hogosha player faction which uses the -{BD}- tag;
   
2. NPC faction affiliation, which is what you gain when you become friendly enough with an NPC faction -- this can be seen BEFORE other players' names when you see them in space and can be checked when you use F8 (scroll down to the bottom of the list and if the last name is flashing, that is your NPC faction tag/affiliation; if the last faction isn't flashing, then you don't have an NPC faction tag or you have one that belongs to an NPC faction that you haven't met yet).
   

ID refers to the mountable piece of equipment that indicates what you want your character to be. The ID also acts as your tractor beam and is required by server rules. All new player characters start with a Civilian ID that is usable until rank 40 when you need to replace it, according to RP server rules. Other servers have different rules about when (or even IF) you have to replace the Civilian ID.

When you replace the Civilian ID, you can get a generic ID or a faction ID. The following generic IDs are available: Trader, Smuggler (controversial, since some players think it is useless), Miner, Military, Mercenary (often called Merc) and Pirate. Faction IDs are named for the factions that issue them.

If you join a Corsair player faction, then your name should match their usage, such as your_name_Benitez (if you join the Benitez player faction) or [TBH]_your_name (if you join TheBrotherhood). Obviously, you need their permission to create a character with their player faction tag.

Corsair players basically have three IDs that they can use: actual Corsair ID (making you a "real" Corsair), Pirate ID (if you want to be a Corsair-affiliated pirate) and Smuggler ID (if you want to RP a Corsair-affiliated smuggler). Corsair players shouldn't use the Trader ID, as that is for traders who are primarily lawful. Corsairs should use Corsair ships or possibly allied ships. Corsair-affiliated smugglers can use any freighters/transports, but should avoid any ship sold by the Outcasts or their allies, unless the ship can be purchased from a neutral or Corsair/allied source. Corsairs should use Corsair (including allies) and Civilian weapons.

Getting a Freelancer tag is hard, but can be done. The Freelancer ID can be purchased at certain locations that I won't list here. A Freelancer can use any ship allowed by the Freelancer ID. Note that if use a Corsair ship, you won't be welcomed by the Outcasts in Omicron Alpha and if you use an Outcast ship, the Corsairs won't welcome you in Omicron Gamma... Actually, come to think of it, you will be welcomed as a volunteer for target practice...:crazy: