Anti-Xeno Initiative
Ranks
Rank Requirements
To promote skill and hard work, we have established our own rank system. Some ranks have certain privileges tied to them, but most are to showcase one’s achievements in AX combat. To apply for a certain rank, you need to present a proof of your achievement in tea-and-medals and state which rank you are applying for.
Send your Screenshot or video to the #tea-and-medals channel in the AXI Discord to apply for a rank!
Conditions and Rules
Do not ping anyone to review your submission, it will be processed when possible. If your submission is not processed within 48 hours, you are allowed to contact a staff member about it.
The proof has to be a screenshot, or a video, and has to clearly show the interceptor death explosion, the “bond received” message and other parts of ship UI such as the Ship Health and Radar.
- Use of any bugs, exploits, cheats or other methods of killing the interceptor in an unintended way is forbidden, and such submissions will be rejected.
- Killing an interceptor that has any hearts remaining (gibbing) will void any rank submission. Interceptors must have all their hearts destroyed before the killing blow.
- All Progression and Challenge ranks require that you receive no help from NPCs or players not in your wing, and as such cannot be achieved at AX Conflict Zones. The presence of additional contacts on radar can invalidate a submission. Please ensure you are alone in the instance for solo ranks, or have no players outside of your wing in the instance for wing ranks. Use of a Ship Launched Fighter piloted by NPC however is permitted.
- When applying for solo ranks, you must not be in a multicrew session or a wing (regardless of your wing mate’s location!).
- When applying for wing ranks, your screenshot should show participants inside the instance when the interceptor dies.
- Multi-Crew is allowed for wing ranks.
- Planetside AXCZ interceptors do not deploy swarms, rendering these locations ineligible for any ranks.
- Horizons 3.8 (Legacy) players should be aware that Thargoid special attacks do not function correctly. Caustic missiles and EMP will not trigger after a heart is destroyed, regardless of player heat or detection range. Care should be taken to act as if they function as intended, as any submissions that take advantage of this will be denied.
- In the event of a pilot getting the kill but dying in the process, a kill is valid for a rank only if the Interceptor explodes before your ship does. This does not apply to timed runs.
Prohibited Weapons
Weapons listed below are not valid for any rank submissions, this is due to balance issues or the weapons being no longer available to obtain. Individual ranks may have additional restrictions on weapons that can be used so please check carefully to avoid disappointment.
- Advanced Missile Racks
- Salvation CG reward Long range Shard Cannons. Note that these are different from the Salvation Modified Shard Cannons available for purchase in Mbooni
- Any modules that are not available to the general playerbase. e.g Community Goal rewards that are not available to purchase
- Horizons 3.8 (Legacy) only: Salvation Modified Gauss cannons (‘Hammergauss’ with Standard and Premium Ammo is bugged in Horizons 3.8, so proof of basic ammo is required for ranks to count.
Speedrun Timing
Speed runs are timed using the in-game clock. Timer starts at the first frame of damage occurring and ends when the bond popup occurs. As such, the in-game clock must be visible when the first shot is fired, as well as when the bond pops up.
Progression Ranks
Progression ranks are your introduction to AX combat, we recommend you work through these ranks before trying any of the challenge ranks. These cannot be completed in AXCZs.
Pilot
Every Journey Has A Beginning
The basic rank for those who were able to read the rules. For security purposes, members of this rank have some posting limitations and cannot join the in-game squadron.
Quadrivial Vestige
Teamwork Makes The Dream Work
Kill any Interceptor variant in a wing of 3 or 4 people.
Cyclopean Duo
Low Start, High Goals
Kill a Cyclops variant Interceptor in a wing of exactly 2 people.
Apollo’s Wrath
The First Step Towards Mastery
Kill a Cyclops variant Interceptor solo (alone).
This rank has some small benefits to it, like being able to embed links and attach files in our Discord. Events and operations may require this rank to be allowed to participate. Members of this rank can apply for the in-game squadron. (Full details in our Discord)
Twain Talons
First Proper Challenge For A Wing
Kill a Basilisk variant Interceptor in a wing of exactly 2 people.
Sole Survivor
A Major Step-Up In Difficulty
Kill a Basilisk variant Interceptor solo (alone).
Ossified Dyad
Less Is Not Always More
Kill a Medusa variant Interceptor in a wing of exactly 2 people.
Serpent’s Nemesis
Penultimate Step In Solo Progression
Kill a Medusa variant Interceptor solo (alone).
Herculean Warrior
Getting Closer To The Top
Kill a Hydra variant Interceptor in a wing of exactly 2 people.
Herculean Conqueror
Not For The Faint Of Heart
Kill a Hydra variant Interceptor solo (alone).
This rank requires a continuous video recording of at least 2 last hearts as proof, though the full recording is preferable.
Collector
Gotta Catch ‘Em All
Requires obtaining:
– Apollo’s Wrath
– Sole Survivor
– Serpent’s Nemesis
– Herculean Warrior with an existing Collector or Staff Member.
Challenge Ranks
There are also some ranks that are beyond others in difficulty, so much so that we don’t expect many to achieve them. That is why they are separated into their own category. All of them require full video recording of the fight as proof. Ranks must be completed solo*. These ranks cannot be completed in AXCZs
(*Setting up a multigoid-instance using Megaships or Incursion Missions with the help of another CMDR is allowed, provided that the video includes proof of them jumping out of the instance. ‘The Swarm’ is also exempt from this rule)
Decent Pilot
The Next Challenge Is Up To You
An exceptionally challenging achievement where you must demonstrate mastery over all aspects of AX combat.
Achieve all of the following ranks!
– The Swarm
– Hephaestus Shunned
– Astraea’s Clarity
– Snake Eater
– Cerberus’ Bane
– Myrmidon
– Soaring Sleipnir
– 100% Club
– Vanguard
– Herculean Conqueror
– Serpent’s Nemesis
– Sole Survivor
– Apollo’s Wrath
Vanguard
A Challenge Of Versatility
“If you always do what you’ve always done, you’ll always get what you’ve always got”
– Achieve a kill according to the table below. Select a ship and its corresponding Thargoid variant.
– Must have Collector rank to apply for Vanguard
Basilisk Category
- Adder
- Dolphin
- Eagle
- Hauler
- Imperial Eagle
- Keelback
- Sidewinder
- Type-6
Medusa Category
- Asp Explorer / Scout
- Beluga
- Cobra Mk3 / Mk4
- Diamondback Explorer / Scout
- Imperial Clipper
- Imperial Courier
- Mamba
- Orca
- Type-7 / Type-8 / Type-9
- Viper Mk3 / Mk4
- Vulture
Hydra Category
- Anaconda
- Federal Corvette
- Federal Dropship
- Federal Gunship
- Fer De Lance
- Python / Mk2
- Type-10
Myrmidon
A Challenge Of Speed
“If you want time, buy the magazine.”
Awarded to pilots who can achieve a solo Medusa kill in under one of the following time requirements:
– 24’00’’000’’’ – Small Ship
– 12’00’’000’’’ – Medium Ship
– 6’00’’000’’’ – Large Ship
Applications to be submitted using the /speedrun command in the #speedrun channel in our Discord. Strictly no gibbing.
100% Club
A Challenge Of Evasion
“What are you trying to tell me? That I can dodge bullets?”
– Kill a Basilisk (or harder) variant Interceptor solo (alone), without taking any damage (your ship’s UI has to show 100% integrity for the whole fight).
Soaring Sleipnir
A Challenge Of Intuition
“I can do it with my eyes closed!”
– Kill a Medusa (or harder) variant Interceptor solo (alone), with your ship’s HUD turned off, or using external camera, throughout the whole fight.
HUD must be turned off or external camera enabled before the first shot is fired, and it must remain that way until after the Interceptor has exploded. As such, the Bond popup and Ship Radar are not required for this rank.
Astraea’s Clarity
A Challenge Of Precision
“One shot, one kill”
– Kill a Medusa variant Interceptor solo (alone), spending only 175 (or less) Gauss Rounds in the process, using 3 Medium Gauss Cannons (or fewer).
– Basic ammo only
– The only allowed source of hull damage for the Interceptor are your Gauss Cannons. (No ramming, no SLFs, no using human weapons to chip at the hull…)
Video Evidence must include sufficient proof of ammo expended.
Cerberus’ Bane
A Challenge Of Supremacy
“I’m not locked in here with you. You’re locked in here with me!”
Destroy any combination of Interceptors worth at least 6 points solo (alone), in one fight, where:
– Cyclops is worth 1 point
– Basilisk is worth 2 points
– Medusa and Hydra are worth 4 points
Getting help from a second pilot to create the Multigoid instance is allowed for this challenge as long as that pilot leaves the instance before the Thargoids are engaged.
Hephaestus Shunned
A Challenge Of The Pilot
“Without me, my rifle is useless. Without my rifle, I am useless.”
– Destroy a Medusa interceptor (or higher) while solo, using a ship with no engineering whatsoever.
Video evidence must include right-panel scroll to show no engineering on ship modules. You must have the Collector rank to apply for this rank.
Note: Pre-engineered modules do not count as unengineered (and thus are not allowed); this includes the modified guardian weapons, which explicitly are not allowed. Unmodified guardian weapons and guardian modules (incl. PD, PP, GHRP, GMRP, GSRP) are allowed. Premium ammo is allowed (though not required to do the fight).
Snake Eater
A Challenge Of The Old Ones
“I used to be with ‘it’, but then they changed what ‘it’ was”
– Kill a Basilisk (or harder) variant Interceptor solo (alone), without using any Guardian or modern Anti-Xeno technology.
– Basic ammo only
– Proof must showcase the right-panel view of the ships modules.
Snake Eater is intended to simulate the state of AX combat in its early days before the discovery of the Guardians and the development of Advanced/Enhanced AX weaponry. Its restrictions are very strict:
The following ships are not allowed:
– Python Mk2
The following modules are not allowed:
– Guardian weapons, Guardian internal modules
– SLFs
– Advanced Multi-cannons/Missiles, Enhanced Multi-cannons/Missiles. Your choice of weapons for dealing AX damage is effectively limited to normal AX Multicannons and AX Missiles. Other weapons can be taken as normal e.g Beam Lasers, Flak Cannons.
– Experimental Weapon Stabilisers
– Enhanced Xeno Scanner
– Sirius Pre-Engineered heatsinks
The Swarm
A Challenge Of Camaraderie
“You can be my wingman any time.”
– Kill a Medusa in a wing of up to 4 haulers, or in a wing of exactly 2 sidewinders, or in a mixed wing of exactly 1 sidewinder and up to 2 haulers, using only basic ammo
Video evidence (which must also show use of basic ammo) is required from all participants for rank eligibility.
Notes: Leaving the instance to repair/rearm is NOT allowed. To be eligible for the rank, you must survive the fight, and remain in the instance, start to finish; should one or more CMDRs die, the remaining CMDRs are still eligible to finish the fight and claim the rank (if they manage.)
Caduceus’ Glint
A Competition Of Speed
“We’re gonna have to go right to ludicrous speed”
– Awarded to the top pilot of each speedrunning leaderboard category (Small, Medium, Large / Basilisk, Medusa, Hydra).
– Applications to be submitted using the /speedrun command in any channel.
– Strictly no gibbing.
AXCZ Ranks
AX Conflict Zones have a lot of specifics and random factors, which make it hard to judge their difficulty. But we want to reward those who participate in system defence. These cannot be completed at planetary AXCZs as interceptors do not spawn swarms. Annihilator and Exterminator must be completed at an AXCZ that does not contain a dockable station.
(*Setting up a multigoid-instance using Megaships or Incursion Missions with the help of another CMDR is allowed, provided that the video includes proof of them jumping out of the instance. ‘The Swarm’ is also exempt from this rule)
Annihilator
Full AXCZ Solo
– Complete a full run of AX Conflict Zone solo (alone), including killing the Hydra at the end.
– Leaving for refuel/repair/restock is not allowed.
– A full video recording is required to apply for this rank.
Exterminator
AXCZ Solo
– Complete a full run of AX Conflict Zone, from beginning to end, excluding the hydra at the end, alone (solo).
– Leaving for refuel/repair/restock is not allowed.
You need to provide multiple screenshots (or a full video recording with timestamps) as proof:
– First screenshot has to show the start of the fight, just after the progress bar appears.
– Second has to show the bonus vouchers being awarded after completing the scout wave (100k credits).
– Third has to show the bonus vouchers being awarded after completing the “Eliminate Thargoid Threat” objective (5 mil credits).
Defender
AXCZ Wing
– Complete a full run of AX Conflict Zone, from beginning to end, including killing the hydra at the end, in a wing of up to 4 people. Leaving for refuel/repair/restock is allowed, as long as you are in the instance for all of the progression milestones.
You need to provide multiple screenshots (or a full video recording with timestamps) as proof:
– First screenshot has to show the start of the fight, just after the progress bar appears.
– Second has to show the bonus vouchers being awarded after completing the scout wave (100k credits).
– Third has to show the bonus vouchers being awarded after completing the “Eliminate Thargoid Threat” objective (5 mil credits).
– Last screenshot has to show the bonus vouchers being awarded after killing the Hydra at the end (10 mil credits)
Other Ranks
There are some ranks that are not necessarily tied to skill, but still require dedication. In this category we gathered ranks that do not belong elsewhere, but still carry significance.
Staff
Everything In Moderation, Including Moderation
The Overseers, Co-ordinators and Directors make up the staff team of the Anti-Xeno Initiative. They are moderators for the discord server, and can be used as a point of contact for any issues you are having there or in our in game Private Group.
Mentor
Passing On The Knowledge
Mentor signifies mastery of AX combat as well as the willingness to help others who are still on their journey. There is a limited number of Mentorships available. Requires you to demonstrate your commitment, knowledge and ability to teach others. If you are interested in the responsibility of this role please contact a staff member.
Party Champion
In It To Win It
Awarded to winners of our events
Party Survivor
Keep Your Friends Close…
Awarded to participants of our events
Conspirator
…And Your Enemies Closer
Conspirators are known Thargoid allies, and have severely restricted access to our server. Given to pilots who engage AX pilots partaking in AX activities. (You cannot request this rank). Conspirators have a chance to redeem themselves by performing a new Thargoid kill of their current highest solo rank (or a Cyclops if they have no rank).
Callous Fringe
The Most Dangerous Game
Requires you to kill an aggressive Xeno-Sympathizer that is disrupting our mission. Those who do not attack us are to be left alone. For proof you have to submit both proof of kill as well as the proof of targets aggressive actions against AXI members on duty. Individual arguments, ganks against random people and pre-arranged duels do not count. Be responsible.
Avower
In Dedication To A Legend
Commander John Jameson can be considered the first AX hunter. He fought during the First Thargoid War and played an instrumental role in ending it, saving uncountable lives. Some may wish to undertake a pilgrimage of sorts, to the place of his demise and discover the story first-hand. For this rank we require you to bring an Guardian Relic, a Thargoid Link, and a Damaged Escape Pod to John Jameson’s crash site and provide a screenshot of all of them laid out next to his ship.
Veteran
Celebrating Contribution
A token of appreciation awarded to former Mentors, recognition for the efforts they put in training our Recruits.
BGS Loyalist
Glory, To Mankind
Proven supporter of the Anti-Xeno Initiative’s efforts to maintain a foothold in the frontlines of the Thargoid-Human war. Complete 100 missions for the Anti-Xeno Initiative or Xeno Research Group minor faction within 30 days. Requires verified Inara account. Before carrying out the missions, please contact Staff for guidance and check #standing-bgs-orders.
BGS Operator
Elite and Dangerous
Complete a Spec-Ops mission with another BGS Operator or Staff Member. Only available to Anti-Xeno Initiative In-Game Squadron members. Awarded by Overseer level approval only. Requires BGS Loyalist.
Lernaean Seeker
The Truth Is Out There
Awarded to contributors of organised research projects.
Ambassador
Forging Alliances
Ambassadors are representatives/leaders of other player groups who wish to engage in diplomacy with AXI.
Old Guard
Gone But Not Forgotten
Opportunities in the game come and go as things get updated. Whenever we retire or rework any of these ranks due to circumstances that make them impossible to achieve, we will replace it with Old Guard for all holders.