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I want to join Powerplay in Elite Dangerous, more properly join Edmund Mahon, but I don't know almost anything about Powerplay.
So my questions are:
- What are the advantages and the disadvantages of joining Powerplay?
- Can I still dock in systems exploited by others than Edmund Mahon?
- Should I join it right now?
For reference I'm playing for about 2 weeks, but I already played in past. I have a Viper mk3 worth in total about 400k cr.
What are the advantages and the disadvantages of joining powerplay?
The advantages are that you get a weekly credit allowance (variable amounts), opportunities to prepare and expand your power's territories, and access to special bonuses that each power gives its loyal subjects. Your rank within your power is determined by the number of merits you've earned, and the rewards are different for each power.
The disadvantages are that sometimes it can affect the attitude of nearby AI if they have a negative relationship with your power. You may also find yourself outside your allied power's controlled space more often than you anticipate, and while that's not a disadvantage, it may leave you unable to take advantage of your power's bonuses, depending on what they are.
Can i still dock in systems exploited by others than Edmund Mahon?
Yes, though you may see hostiles or more forceful security patrols depending on where you are, and what the status of the other power's relationship is with your allied power.
Should I join it right now?
To cash in on the credit salary as often as possible, as well as earn merit points towards getting your bonus awards, starting sooner than later is probably wise. There's no punishment for joining a power and not participating, though, so you can go at your own speed.
The wikia has more info on how powerplay works in general but it is kind of overwhelming. Basically you just ally with a power, and you get some benefits simply by claiming your allegiance, and they're usually only beneficial when you're in your power's allied space. If you help with expansion and fortification missions, or just earn merits in general, the rewards and bonuses you receive are greater.
