The number based relation scale for Factions is quite binary. If they are very positive, they are allied, if they are very negative they are hostile... but inbetween there is a big grey nothing.
In the past I didn't really care much about them as they didn't change much, but now as relations get more important it's bugging me. E.g. I just got visited by a Trader whose faction is -50 standing with me - I expected a raiding party, not a Gheed on tour.
I wish there could be some more meaningful classifications on the current state which give more of an idea what to expect from a faction. Furthermore Every faction should have something like a specialisation and an atitude which descripes their behaviour. Could look like this:
Allied (91 to 100)
1 trader per season
-guaranteed help on attack 4 times per year
-Faction Unique Bonus
Conjoined(61 to 90)
-1 Free Trader per year
-guaranteed help on attack 2 times per year
Friendly (30 to 60)
-Frequent trader
-Might help on attack
Cautious (30 to -30)
-Rare Trader
-Possible 'help request' events
Unfriendly (-31 to -60)
-Only Trader on request
-Scavenger attack
Hostile ( -61 to -90)
-Raider Attacks
-No Trade
War! (-91 to -100)
-Attacks frequently in large force
-No Communication
-Relation improvement only by prisoner release ( The more you have, the higher the change for a peace request: "you give back ur boiz and we stop attack" => +10 Relation, switching to -90 alias hostile)
Faction Bonus:
Royal: No Casualty Loss while helping
Powerful: Stronger help
Generous: Seasonal Air drops
Commecial: Sell/Buy Same price
Atitude:
Nice: 150% on positive standing effects
Aggressive: 150% on negative standing effects
Patronizing: 50% on all standing effects caused by player
Neutral: standing tends towads 0 over time