I try for quite a while now to increase my Reaper rank, because I want those cosmetics, but it's also so horribly frustrating that often wonder if it's actually worth the hassle. I mean not only do I paint a huge target at my back, it also feels like anything I do barely matters. Like last sessions I finally managed to get to Emissary Grade 5 by fighting a Skelly Galleon and what was my reward for that struggle? Watching the rank bar moving a cm for each item sold. Thanks Flameheart. Often I wonder why I even bother with going Reaper Emissary, because it doesn't seem to influence the XP of the loot at all.
Not to mention that every time I encounter another player, I just sigh and think:" There goes my Emissary rank. Time to start from scratch again.".
So far, it seems that the best way to increase my Reaper rep is to not become and Emissary, farm Reaper Chests and Skelly camps, since the Orbs of Screts seem to give you a good chunk of xp, while trying to sneak in the one or other Ashen Lord or Skelly Fort while nobody is watching.
But again, it's so soul draining and I also don't want to do PvP, because I suck at it and I don't want to ruin other people's fun.