Who are the major factions of Starfield, how do you join them and which organization should you join? The following guide answers all these questions.
Here’s the deal: The universe of Starfield is animated by numerous factions, all of which pursue different interests. You can join some of them to support the respective cause. But who are these guys exactly, how can you join them, and most importantly, why should you do that? This guide contains everything you need to know about the largest factions of the space role-playing game.
Starfield: These are the Factions & How to Join Them
Constellation (Starfield Faction)
History: According to the Starfield timeline, Constellation was founded by Sebastian Banks in 2275. Information about the founder can be found, for example, at Constellation’s headquarters in New Atlantis. Although only five and a half decades have passed between the beginning of the main story in 2330 and the founding of Constellation, this faction is considered a mythical organization that exists primarily in stories.
Constellation is dedicated to the exploration of space and planets; however, its members have a special interest in mysterious artifacts, as you’ll get to know them early on in the main quest. The cooperation with Constellation is essential for playing through Starfield. Also, the group provides several companions of the game, for example, their head Sarah Morgan.
How do I join Constellation? At the beginning of Starfield you’ll work in the mining outpost Argos Extractors; this section is part of the main mission “One Small Step”. After your first contact with a mysterious artifact, you’ll get to the character editor and leave the mining outpost shortly after.
This happens as a result of Barrett’s arrival with the Frontier. Barrett quickly offers you to join the Constellation, though an attack by the Crimson Fleet interrupts the scene. After receiving a Starfield watch, you make your way to New Atlantis, the Constellation’s headquarters.
There you will go to the lodge and talk to the leader Sarah Morgan. And that’s it: Sarah will welcome you as a member of Constellation. This is followed by what she declares to be a test, but basically you are already part of the organization.
Suits you, if: Especially since the Constellation story is the main quest of Starfield, you are forced to work with this faction. For this reason alone, the ethos as well as the actions of this organization fit very many (if not most) players.
United Colonies (Starfield Faction)
History: The United Colonies faction is the largest political and military force in the colonized systems. Founded in 2159, the UC is a centralized republic based in New Atlantis on the planet Jemison in the Alpha Centauri system. Not surprisingly, the metropolis was built by the UC in 2060.
When Starfield talks about the Colony War again, it means a historical war between the United Colonies and the Freestar Collective. The two factions have always been considered enemies; in response to the war, the UC established their own navy. Meanwhile, the powerful faction oversees many locations and settlements, and it is possible to become a UC citizen.
How do I join the UC? In the second part of the main quest, “One Small Step,” Sarah Morgan will lead you to John Tuala, a recruiter for the UC Vanguard, which can be thought of as a bit like the United Colonies police force. You can join the Vanguard by talking to Tuala, after which a contract will be signed with you in the Vanguard orientation hall. Joining Vanguard is the first step to UC citizenship.
There’s still a lot ahead of you, though; next you’ll have to go to Samuelson, the test leader, in the same building. He will guide you through a flight simulation in which your task is to shoot down three waves of increasingly powerful enemy ships. Here, improved flight abilities via skill points can be helpful. You can repeat the simulation as many times as you want and also go beyond three waves.
In total, the combat simulation includes six tiers. The highest tier is considered so difficult that both Sarah and Tuala’s jaws will drop if you manage it. Also, you can earn 20,000 credits this way. Your swearing in for Vanguard, however, as I said, happens after you’ve survived three waves. After that, you’ll receive your first probationary mission.
Suits you if: The UC is particularly well suited as a starting faction, because on the one hand it is one of the strongest factions in Starfield and on the other hand it can offer the most lavish quest rewards. But you should aim for a law-and-order gameplay for this faction, because that’s exactly what the United Colonies stand for.
Freestar Collective (Starfield Faction)
History: The Freestar Collective is the second largest faction in the colonized systems after the UC. It was in the so-called Colony War with the United Colonies 20 years before the events of Starfield, but even though the military conflict has ended, tensions between the two parties are still high.
While the capital of the Collective, Akila, was founded by Solomon Coe in 2167, the organization was founded much later, in 2189. Especially since the Freestar Collective is dedicated to space exploration, much like the United Colonies, but believes in the sanctity of personal freedom and individuality, this faction could possibly be a split from the UC.
How do I join the Freestar Collective? To join the Freestar Collective, you will have to go to the capital city of Akila, despite its embassy in New Atlantis. Things are very turbulent there when you arrive, because the local Galbank branch has become the scene of a robbery followed by a hostage situation.
Talk to Marshal Blake and offer to kick the bank robbers in the ass. Blake will then ask you to talk to the hostage-takers first, in order to convince them to give up. You can enter the Gal branch through the back door and then take care of the criminals in any way you want.
After the hostage situation is resolved, go to The Rock and look for Emma Wilcox. Talk to her and express your interest in joining the Freestar Collective. You will then be given a probationary mission of sorts, which will earn you the status of a full member of the collective.
Suits you if: Unless you generally like to quietly overwhelm your opponents, the Freestar Collective is only conditionally made for you. After all, at least the Freestar Rangers quest line is a raucous space western, meaning peace is kept the hard way here. What’s tempting here is probably the Deadeye Revolver that you get as a member, because as a unique weapon it causes enormous damage. In the end, the collective is a righteous grouping that Western fans in particular should give a run-through.
Ryujin Industries (Starfield Faction)
History: Ryujin Industries is the name of a megacorporation that has established itself in the populated systems. The industrial giant has the most presence in the amusement city of Neon, which has negative mentions in Starfield since the early game. Originally founded by the Xenofresh Corporation as a fishing town, the sinful city, just like Ryujin Industries itself, has a Japanese feel to it. Thus, the name “Ryujin” may refer to the Shinto deity of the sea.
There is probably a rivalry between Ryujin Industries and Xenofresh Corporation, or at least Ryujin could use Xenofresh’s drug business as a business model, with the medical giant specializing in curing drug addictions with “Reliant Medical,” for example.
How do I join Ryujin Industries? Joining is relatively easy here, as all you have to do is land your own ship in Neon – on the planet Volii Alpha in the Volii system – and enter the large settlement. A quest will then automatically begin that will take you to the left of the spaceport terminal, at the end of the main road, to a Ryujin Industries terminal.
Here you can draw up an application for a job at Ryujin, which involves answering many questions. After sending the application, Imogene Salzo invites you to the Ryujin tower for an interview. Despite her bad mood (actually, a certain Yoko should be conducting the interviews), Imogene gives you a test task: get coffee at TerraBrew Coffee.
While talking to the barista there, you’ll get involved in a little rampage, during which you’ll see a gun pointed at you. You can resolve the conflict with or without violence; after your report to Imogene, she’ll promote you to junior agent of Ryujin Industries either way.
After a visit to the nearby conference room, where you’ll meet the other important figures of the Ryujin faction, return to Imogene for full-fledged member status at Ryujin Industries.
Suits you if: Somewhat, this faction can be compared to the life path of the corporate player in Cyberpunk 2077. As a member of Ryujin, you gain power predominantly by convincing other people rather than fighting them. All in all, this membership is suitable for a rather effortless run that gives you a sense of influence and control.
Xenofresh Corporation (Starfield Faction)
History: Like Ryujin Industries, Xenofresh Corporation is a mega-corporation, but it not only resides in the amusement city of Neon, but is also responsible for its creation. It is fitting that Xenofresh is also the designer of the Aurora drug, which is based on the psychoactive substance of the same name from a local fish. Accordingly, drugs are the focus of this faction’s business.
The Aurora drug is quite popular in all populated systems, but the substance has generally been illegalized. Only in Neon is the fishy trip unregulated, and who’s surprised given the city fathers. In addition to the corporation’s headquarters in Neon’s Trade Tower, Xenofresh’s production labs are also located in the drugged city and can be entered.
How do I join the Xenofresh Corporation? The main story of Starfield doesn’t bring you directly in contact with the drug producer. Maybe yes, to protect you from his bad influence, but joining this organization is definitely possible. To do so, travel to Neon non the planet Volii Alpha in the Volii system. Here, too, as in the case of Ryujin Industries, you’ll get involved in unpleasant events after you land.
At least if you’ve crossed a bridge and gone through a security gate: there, two security guards ask a certain Neshar to lie down on the ground because he’s supposedly smuggling Aurora. Watch the scene long enough for the two security guards to take Neshar away. This event then triggers the quest “Loose Ends”.
The first thing you need to do now is talk to Neshar in the Neon Security building, you’ll find the structure to the left of the spaceport and there in the city center of Neon. Neshar will have no secrets to you and will admit to actually smuggling Aurora. The prisoner asks you to deliver the message to his boss Yannick Legrande that Neshar is still loyal to him – as proof you should deliver an Aurora package from Neshar’s space box to Legrande.
After picking up the package in the Ebbside area of Neons, look for Legrande’s liquor store in the city’s interior. Once there, express your interest in the contents of the package to Neshar’s boss so that you can also receive an order from Legrande. This is to silence the Xenofresh employee Felix, who is located in Warehouse 1.
And that’s almost all there is to it, because after you’ve done the job, you’ll receive a fake identity from Legrande, as well as a request to apply for a job at Xenofresh.
Suits you if: Even though Xenofresh is a questionable organization, becoming a member doesn’t put you at a significant disadvantage like the Crimson Fleet. You could even work for the other side, Ryujin Industries, at the same time. Only your true identity will remain hidden forever in Neon. You’ll get access to the crafting recipe for Aurora at Xenofresh, which can be used to make a nice pile of money as contraband.
Crimson Fleet (Starfield Faction)
Story: The Crimson Fleet is an antagonistic faction that attacks the mines on Kreet at the very beginning of the game. This faction is fully dedicated to looting and basically targets everything and everyone whose cargo is valuable. But the Crimson Fleet also has a declared enemy: the United Colonies. Ever since the days when the fleet’s activities were limited to the Kryx system, criminals have been disrupting the operations of the UC and also the Freestar Collective.
Although the Crimson Fleet shows no interest in history on the level of the individual, it nevertheless attaches importance to its own background. At least that’s what the statements of the leader Delgado suggest, but he also mentions that the founder of the fleet, Jasper Kryx, is said to have buried a massive treasure somewhere. Could this be the reason for the fleet’s interest in self-history?
How do I join the Crimson Fleet? In the main quest “No sudden movements” you are practically forced to commit a crime. Have the security forces arrest you for it; alternatively, as a member of the United Colonies, you can complete the “Supra et ultra” quest. John Tuala will then use you in an undercover mission against the Crimson Fleet.
In case of your arrest, however, the story takes a similar course. Only then it is the commander of the UC Vigilance who asks you to infiltrate the Crimson Fleet by delivering a cargo of Aurora to Cydonia. You learn the exact location of the fleet there from the broker Saoirse Bowden, who leads you to Adler Kemp in the Broken Spear Bar. Here you’ll have to settle someone else’s debt by tracking down the debtor or paying off the debt yourself.
Once this is done, Naeva Mora sends you to the orbit of Europa. There you will have to find and “dispose” of a traitor aboard a medical supply ship. When you return to Naeva, the ship is under fire from the Ecliptic Mercenaries. After this space battle, you will receive an invitation from Naeva to The Key, the headquarters of the Crimson Fleet. On the spot, your membership in the fleet is then sealed without further ado.
Suits you if: Of course, a career with the Crimson Fleet is synonymous with an “evil path,” but we know: there are cookies on the dark side. Thus, the space pirates have the most money, the most weapons, and also the most items in the game. Besides, smuggling is part of the simple daily business here. In this respect, a run as a member of the Crimson Fleet can be quite fun and satisfying. The price to pay, of course, is that you won’t be very popular outside of the fleet.
Starborn (Starfield Faction)
History: Not much is currently known about Starborn. However, an encounter with one of their representatives, The Hunter, in New Atlantis suggests a rather nefarious faction. According to The Hunter, your paths would definitely cross again.
How do I join Starborn? That is not known at this time. It can be assumed that The Hunter will let you in on Starborn’s goals in due course.
Suits you if: Unfortunately, nothing can be said about this yet.
By loading the video, you agree to YouTube’s privacy policy.
Learn more
Want to join our community and discuss about Starfield? Then join our Discord server or visit us on Facebook, we look forward to seeing you!
