For Bridge officers, Rank has a different meaning than it does for players. For Players, Rank is a direct correlation to your progress in the game. Higher rank means the farther along you are, the more and better gear you can have, and the more innate skills, and powers you have at your disposal.
Bridge officers, on the other hand, only have a rank, and not level. The Boffs will have the same level as you, regardless of their rank, and thus will be able to use any and all gear that you are able to use. Rank only effects how many powers that officer has access to.
Also, as a limiting factor, you cannot promote an officer to a higher rank than yourself. So you will have to be a Lt. Comm before you can promote them to Lt, a Captain before you can promote them to Commander. Some bridge officers only used for space missions don't even need to be fully promoted if they are seating in anything other than a Commander seat.
However, after YOU the player reached level 50, and VA level equipment, your Bridge officers have access to the same equipment as you do. And it is beneficial to do so as the stats with higher mark gear are better overall. There is no inherent synergy between being the same rank as the gear you have. It is only a leveling factor to keep you from using too awesome of gear too soon.
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You can equip your Boffs regardless of rang with the best equipment your character is able to wear.
I don't know why it's a cure question, I am serious.
Bridge officers, on the other hand, only have a rank, and not level. The Boffs will have the same level as you, regardless of their rank, and thus will be able to use any and all gear that you are able to use. Rank only effects how many powers that officer has access to.
Ensign= 1 power
Lieutenant= 2 powers
Lt. Commander= 3 powers
Commander= 4 powers
Also, as a limiting factor, you cannot promote an officer to a higher rank than yourself. So you will have to be a Lt. Comm before you can promote them to Lt, a Captain before you can promote them to Commander. Some bridge officers only used for space missions don't even need to be fully promoted if they are seating in anything other than a Commander seat.
However, after YOU the player reached level 50, and VA level equipment, your Bridge officers have access to the same equipment as you do. And it is beneficial to do so as the stats with higher mark gear are better overall. There is no inherent synergy between being the same rank as the gear you have. It is only a leveling factor to keep you from using too awesome of gear too soon.