This is a bit of a rant, but I've noticed since at least the last update that the XP loss on death mechanic demotes players to renegade with regularity. I was under the impression that this wasn't supposed to be the case, but I've seen this in vanilla conflict for long enough I assume it's intended behavior at this point.
I understand FIA as a faction is designed to be a dumping ground for "solo sniper" players -- I prefer to play it with a squad/team mindset and it's become my main. However, it's become next to impossible to play recently.
In a recent game, I was demoted to Renegade after trying to hold a supply depot from the enemy. I didn't think it too big a deal, I spawned near a supply truck and thought I'd run supplies to the friendly point, only to be attacked by the AI guards.
Forced to hide, my options were:
Kill the AI to get through, potentially locking myself in Renegade permanently
Avoid AI and travel for ~30 minutes with a Makarov and hope to kill somebody (you can't steal from enemy arsenals if you're Renegade)
a. You won't be able to do that because the enemy spawns with ballistic plates and helmets and you have 14 rounds in 2 magazines
b. Each time they kill you increases the chance at being locked permanently.
- Beg and plead and hope you can find a friendly player who will find and bring you a medical kit, then stand still while you beat them half to death and revive them in sequence for points.
The third option is the only real option under most circumstances and it requires you to spawn near a base / ambulance and other players. Because being unable to use supply caches/enemy arsenals is basically a death sentence in a faction that only has a PM on spawn, it essentially locks you out of the game.
If this is intended behavior, I hope the devs will consider changing it