Zone Control

All areas in the game belong into one of the three distinct categories of zone control — fully controlled, partially controlled and uncontrolled zones.

The UI shows the zone control indicator in the upper right corner and you can mouse over it to see what sort of action you can get away with and what is too risky in the current area.

Zone control is all about how the game handles player criminal behavior such as murdering people through various means, and more specifically, how NPCs should react to player placing traps everywhere and turning their private quarters into mine fields.

Zone control prevents exploits such as carpeting an area with traps and killing off high level non-hostile NPCs in the middle of their home base without triggering hostilities and then promptly looting their kickass gear. But on the other hand, the player can use traps as an assassination mechanism in some areas where it's actually appropriate.

Controlled zones

For a list of these zones, see Category:Controlled zones.

Assassination: Nigh impossible. Everyone will turn hostile towards you.

Traps: If someone from the controlling faction detects your trap, you'll immediately get in trouble with that faction.

Partially controlled zones

For a list of these zones, see Category:Partially controlled zones.

Assassination: Possible as long as you're not seen, but not against members of the controlling faction.

Traps: You'll only get in trouble if someone from the controlling faction sets off your trap.

Uncontrolled zones

For a list of these zones, see Category:Uncontrolled zones.

Assassination: Easily doable and even if you're seen, usually no one cares.

Traps: You can set traps as much as you like and if someone happens to set it off and get killed, no one will be able to trace this to you.

One thing to keep in mind though that regardless of the zone control level, if you try placing traps too close to someone, they will take offense, or at least disarm your traps if they have appropriate skills.