"I feel like a part of this design choice hinges on if the devs want to limit each faction's "top I6" slot to only one or two pilots/ships.
Of course, there's always room for exceptions. Resistance, as the "all stars" faction, may lean more towards having more top-level pilots.
Thoughts? Hopes and dreams?"
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EDIT: SOLVED, Aug. 2nd, 2018
Spoiler article