Who are the major factions in Starfield, how do you join them, and which organization should you definitely consider aligning with? This guide has all the answers.
All About Factions (TLDR):
Founded in 2275 by Sebastian Banks, as detailed in the Constellation headquarters in New Atlantis, this faction is seen as mythical, existing mainly in lore despite only being five and a half decades old at the start of the main story in 2330.
Constellation is committed to exploring space and planets, with a keen interest in mysterious artifacts introduced early in the main quest. Collaborating with Constellation is vital for completing Starfield, and the group provides several companions, including their leader, Sarah Morgan.
Your journey in Starfield begins at the mining outpost Argos Extractors, part of the main mission "A Small Step." Following your first encounter with a mysterious artifact, you're introduced to the character editor and then leave the mining outpost.
This leads to Barrett's arrival with the Frontier, who quickly offers you a chance to join Constellation, an opportunity interrupted by an attack from the Crimson Fleet. After receiving a Starfield watch, you head to New Atlantis, the Constellation's base.
There, you meet with leader Sarah Morgan at the Lodge, and essentially, she welcomes you as a member of Constellation. Although a test declared by her follows, you're fundamentally part of the organization.
Given Constellation's story is central to Starfield's main quest, collaborating with this faction aligns with the inclinations and actions of many, if not most, players.
The United Colonies, the largest political and military force in the colonized systems, was founded in 2159 as a centralized republic with its capital in New Atlantis on Jemison in the Alpha Centauri system. The metropolis, constructed by the UC in 2060, often comes up when discussing the Colonial War, a historical conflict with the Freestar Collective. Both factions have been rivals ever since, leading the UC to establish their own navy. Nowadays, the faction oversees numerous locations and settlements, offering citizenship to its members.
During the second part of the main quest "A Small Step," Sarah Morgan introduces you to John Tuala, a recruiter for the UC Vanguard, akin to the police force of the United Colonies. A conversation with Tuala allows you to join the Vanguard, starting with a contract in the Vanguard orientation hall. Joining Vanguard is the first step towards UC citizenship.
However, several challenges await; next, you must visit the examination officer, Samuelson, in the same building. He guides you through a flight simulation where your task is to shoot down three waves of increasingly stronger enemy ships. Skill points can enhance your flying capabilities, and you can repeat the simulation as often as needed.
The combat simulation includes six tiers, with the highest level being so challenging that it impresses both Sarah and Tuala if you succeed, also earning you 20,000 credits. Your swearing-in for Vanguard happens after surviving three waves, followed by your first probationary mission.
The UC is an excellent starting faction for its strength and generous quest rewards. Aim for a playthrough focusing on law and order, as that's what the United Colonies represent.
The Freestar Collective, the second-largest faction after the UC, was embroiled in the Colonial War with the United Colonies 20 years before Starfield's events. Despite the military conflict ending, tensions remain high.
Founded in 2167 by Solomon Coe, with the organization itself established in 2189, the Freestar Collective is dedicated to space exploration, valuing personal freedom and individuality, suggesting it may have originated from a split with the UC.
Joining requires heading to its capital, Akila, where upon arrival, you're thrust into the midst of a bank robbery and hostage situation at the local Galbank branch.
Speak with Marshall Blake to offer your help with the robbers. He suggests negotiating with the hostage-takers for their surrender. You can infiltrate the Gal-Filiale through a back door and deal with the criminals as you see fit.
After resolving the hostage situation, visit The Rock to meet Emma Wilcox. Express your interest in joining the Freestar Collective to her, and you'll be given a probationary mission, securing your full membership status.
If you prefer a stealthy approach to overcoming your enemies, the Freestar Collective might not be the best fit. However, the faction does offer the Deadeye Revolver, a powerful unique weapon, making it appealing for fans of space Westerns.
Ryujin Industries, a mega-corporation established in the colonized systems, has a significant presence in the entertainment city of Neon, which has garnered a negative reputation early in Starfield.
Originally founded by Xenofresh Corporation as a fishing locale, Neon, and by extension Ryujin Industries, exhibits a Japanese influence, possibly referencing the Shinto sea deity.
A rivalry between Ryujin Industries and Xenofresh Corporation is likely, with Ryujin possibly leveraging Xenofresh's drug business model by focusing on treating drug dependencies with "Reliant Medical."
Joining is relatively straightforward: arrive in Neon on Volii Alpha in the Volii System and enter the large settlement. A quest automatically starts, leading you to a Ryujin Industries terminal at the end of the main street, left of the spaceport terminal.
Here, you can apply for a job at Ryujin, answering numerous questions. After submitting your application, Imogene Salzo invites you for an interview at the Ryujin Tower. Despite her sour mood, Imogene gives you a test task: fetching coffee from TerraBrew Coffee.
After dealing with a minor altercation at the coffee shop, report back to Imogene, who will promote you to Junior Agent of Ryujin Industries.
Following a meeting in a nearby conference room with other key figures of the Ryujin faction, return to Imogene to secure your status as a full member of Ryujin Industries.
This faction suits those who prefer to gain power through persuasion rather than combat, offering an easier playthrough with a sense of influence and control. Stealth missions will become part of your experience as you progress.
Like Ryujin Industries, Xenofresh Corporation is a mega-corporation responsible for founding the entertainment city of Neon and designing the Aurora drug, derived from a native fish's psychoactive substance. The drug enjoys popularity across the colonized systems, though it has been outlawed, with Neon being the exception due to its unregulated status.
Joining doesn't happen through the main storyline, possibly to shield you from the corporation's negative influence. Travel to Neon on Volii Alpha in the Volii System to get involved in the unfolding events upon landing.
Witness a confrontation involving a man accused of smuggling Aurora, triggering the "Loose Ends" quest.
First, speak with the accused, Neshar, in the Neon Security building, admitting to smuggling Aurora and asking you to assure his boss, Yannick Legrande, of his loyalty by delivering an Aurora package from Neshar's storage box.
After retrieving the package from the Ebbside area of Neon, locate Legrande's liquor store in the city center. Showing interest in the package's contents to Legrande earns you a task to silence Xenofresh employee Felix, located in Warehouse 1.
Completing this job earns you a false identity from Legrande and an invitation to apply at Xenofresh.
While Xenofresh is a dubious organization, membership doesn't entail significant drawbacks like with the Crimson Fleet. You can work for both Xenofresh and its rival, Ryujin Industries, keeping your true identity hidden in Neon. Membership grants access to Aurora's crafting recipe, offering lucrative smuggling opportunities.
The Crimson Fleet, an antagonistic faction, attacks the mines on Kreet at the game's start, dedicating itself to looting valuable cargo.
With the United Colonies as its declared enemy, the fleet disrupts UC and Freestar Collective operations, priding itself on its history, hinted at by leader Delgado's mention of a treasure buried by founder Jasper Kryx.
During the main quest "Keep it Cool," you're coerced into committing a crime. Get arrested by security forces or complete the "Above and Beyond" quest as a UC member, leading to an undercover mission against the Crimson Fleet.
If arrested, the UC Vigilance commander asks you to infiltrate the fleet by delivering Aurora to Cydonia.
Locate the fleet's whereabouts from broker Saoirse Bowden, leading you to Adler Kemp in the Broken Spear Bar. Resolve a debt issue there, then Naeva Mora sends you to Europa's orbit to identify and eliminate a traitor on a medical supply ship.
Returning to Naeva amidst an attack by Ecliptic Mercenaries culminates in an invitation to The Key, the Crimson Fleet's base, where your membership is promptly finalized.
Aligning with the Crimson Fleet means embracing a "darker" path, offering the most money, weapons, and items. Smuggling becomes a regular activity, making a fleet membership both fun and rewarding, albeit at the cost of popularity outside the fleet.
The Starborn are known primarily for being alternate versions of characters from the current Starfield universe, suggesting they originate from a parallel universe.
An encounter with one of their representatives, The Hunter, in New Atlantis hints at a nefarious faction, though this perspective shifts after meeting the so-called Envoy.
The Starborn are not a faction you can traditionally join, often appearing as adversaries in combat encounters.
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