Ranks in Pirates and Traders

During the game, you can get promoted to rank with the different Empires. Promotions not only give you prestige (i.e., count in your final score), they also offer benefits that strengthen your capabilities in the game. The following list the potential promotions you can receive in the game.

Letters of Marque
The letter of marque is not a rank, but it is a prerequisite for gaining rank. You can purchase a letter of marque with friendly governors in any port; the letter authorizes you to attack and plunder enemies of the state.

You only gain points toward promotions while holding a letter of marque of that empire.

You gain points for attacking the enemies of an empire as follows: Achieving the first rank requires 3 rank points; each subsequent rank requires a significantly additional number of points.
 * 1 point per enemy ship captured/sunk
 * 2 points per enemy warship captured/sunk
 * 5 points per level of enemy port sacked or captured

Commander
Gaining the rank of Commander gives a recruitment bonus in the ports of that nationality. Having a rank is a prerequisite for being able to interact with the governor.

Captain
Gaining the rank of Captain gives a 10% bonus on purchasing cannons, as well as a 10% discount on ship repairs.

Commodore
Gaining the rank of Commodore gives a 10% discount on ship improvements.

Rear Admiral
Gaining the rank of Rear Admiral gives a 20% discount on ship improvements.

Vice Admiral
Gaining the rank of Vice Admiral gives an additional recruitment bonus in the ports of that nationality. It also increases the cannon and ship repair discounts to 20%.

Flag Admiral
Gaining the rank of Flag Admiral increases the proportion of veteran crew that you can recruit in the ports of that nationality.