>Squires & Acolytes are the equivalent of Imperial Citizens

Note: I forget how the tiers are counted, so I'm going to call bloodoaths Tier0 and count up from there.

I'd compare Squires and Acolytes to Tier1 or Tier2 sect members, and Marans to Tier3. This in terms of difficulty, not "strength of powers".

For the Squire, the difficulty is actually getting into the cabal. Doing interviews, finding the leader online, etc. For the sect member, the difficulty is just taking the time to gather all that gold.

For the Maran, the difficulty is putting in the "squire time" and getting noticed by Baer. For the sect member, the difficulty is convincing your sect leader you're worthy of one of his limited Tier3 slots. Also, catching your sect leader (or the Emperor) online so you can actually be promoted.

If we compare Squires to Tier1 or Tier2 sect members, then the gap in powers isn't so bad. Same thing for Maran vs. Tier3.

We should also consider characters in Empire that are "blocked" by someone above them? If there's a long-lived sect leader above me, then my Elite guy could spend 200-300 hours stuck at Elite. That seems infinitely worse than having to wait ~70 hours as a squire before getting Maran.