How to tell someone's faction?

I have been wondering before how to tell in a zone that can be accessed by multiple factions, like First Ward, Rikti War Zone, Pocket D, how to find out what faction someone is. Can anyone tell me?

It became a problem last night, when I encountered a level 4 in the Rikti War Zone who was saying in [local] that he was lost and if someone could help in Spanish. Now I understand some Spanish, so I figured out what was going on, but not enough to ask him where he came from/what faction so that I could guide him back to the right portal. In the end I just guessed newbie = Hero, and that seemed to work and I got him back to Atlas Park. My Rogue might become a Hero if she does this too often.

Only way to do so is to ask, really. It'd be nice if they'd update the search to drop the (useless) Origin icons and give an alignment icon instead.

So, yeah. Ask. If they don't know, ask them what's on the left end of their health bar. Or look at their powers list, if they've actually chosen an alignment - check for call to/countdown to the various alignment powers. (Though obviously you need to be able to get to that list.) Lacking one, check the name of the level badges.

There are a few ways if they don't know. *shrug* Depends how patient you are in questioning them.

See my Guides and Tutorials

There's an option under the /Infoself window, alignment tab to display alignment info if someone does an /info on you. But it has to be purposely set to show it.