Every Faction in Outer Worlds 2 (& How to Join Them)

In The Outer Worlds 2, factions are =organizations that players can work with or build reputation with to gain access to certain benefits, like reduced vendor prices or unique dialogue options. Not every faction in Outer Worlds 2 allows players to gain reputation, but even these serve as major players that you will encounter multiple times in the game's story.

In total, there are six major factions in Outer Worlds 2: the Earth Directorate (your character's main faction), the autocratic Protectorate, the capitalistic Auntie's Choice, the subversive Sub Rosa, the mathematical Order of the Ascendant, and the enigmatic Rift Cult.

Follow this guide to learn how to join every faction in Outer Worlds 2, along with some brief details on the goals and life of each group.

Auntie's Choice

Space – No Longer The One Place That Hasn't Been Corrupted by Capitalism

The first faction Outer Worlds 2 players will be able to gain reputation with is Auntie's Choice. Auntie's Choice is a megacorporation that was formed after Auntie Cleo's staged a hostile takeover of Spacer's Choice, both of which were in the original Outer Worlds.

Life in the comically consumerist Auntie's Choice is ruthlessly individualistic. Every subject, from waste management engineers to the highest corporate yes-men, vies for any chance to climb the corporate ladder.

Outer Worlds 2 Trust Aunties Choice vs Order of Ascendant Auntie Cleos

While you'll have your "freedom" as part of Auntie's Choice, you'll find it hard to escape the constant advertising, smooth-talking businessmen, and abusive pay schemes (and scams). Join Auntie's Choice if you want to become a big shot in an ultracapitalist society and don't mind stepping on some heads to get there.

How to Join Auntie's Choice in Outer Worlds 2

After a relatively successful invasion of Paradise, Auntie's Choice established the city of Fairfield in the middle of the southern island on Paradise. This is the first major city you will encounter in Outer Worlds 2 (if you go north from the landing pad, that is).

Go into the main building beneath the gigantic Auntie Cleo holographic and decide to help either Kaur or Milverstreet. Completing any Auntie's Choice mission will grant faction reputation, but this is the earliest opportunity to start building your standing.

Order of the Ascendant

Solving The Mysteries of the Universe With Zealous Mathematics

Outer Worlds 2 Factions Order Golden Ridge

The Order of the Ascendant is a wholly unique order of quasi-religious zealots that strive to understand the mathematics of the universe to predict the future. As the name implies, the Order of the Ascendant seeks to ascend humanity by solving the Universal Equation – like something out of The Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy.

The Order of the Ascendant is not consumerist nor authoritarian at heart, though it can be academic to a fault. Instead of relying on their humanity and emotions to make decisions, they follow the math and predictions of the Universal Equation, sometimes leading to suffering and hardship that could have been avoided.

Outer Worlds 2 Trust Aunties Choice vs Order of Ascendant Golden Ridge Doctor

Members of the Order of the Ascendant aren't necessarily evil – just bureaucratic and completely beholden to the Equation. Ultimately, the Order of the Ascendant seeks to advance humanity, and even though it might be a bit too academic and disconnected at times, it's a more noble goal than that of Auntie's Choice or the Protectorate.

How to Join The Order of the Ascendant in Outer Worlds 2

To find and start building your reputation with the Order of the Ascendant, complete the main mission on Paradise to find the Vox Relay, then return to your ship. You will be approached by an envoy of the Order of the Ascendant, who anticipated your arrival almost to the minute.

Watch their tape, go to Golden Ridge, then head south from the ship landing pad to find an outpost where the Order of the Ascendant is dealing with an influx of refugees.

If you unlock access to Free Market Station via Emeline Galloway and Sub Rosa, you will be able to meet an Archivist for the Order of the Ascendant on Free Market Station before heading to Golden Ridge. Complete her request to catalog the history of Free Market Station to join the Order a little bit early.

Sub Rosa

A Black Market Based In A Crashed Ship Named "Free Market Station"

Sub Rosa is essentially an interplanetary association of black market traders and suppliers that spans across all of Arcadia. Members of Sub Rosa always keep their association with this faction quiet, but if you join Sub Rosa yourself, they will trust you enough to offer expanded wares and unique vendors.

You can find representatives and vendors for Sub Rosa in just about every major location in the game – look for the symbol of a "stylish yellow rose with a split black circle" to find Sub Rosa contacts in each region.

Outer Worlds 2 Factions Sub Rosa Emeline

Sub Rosa is not affiliated with either the Protectorate or Auntie's Choice (though it shares some capitalistic traits of the latter). Though you don't have to join Sub Rosa to beat the game, it's highly advised to raise your reputation with the organization somewhat so you can access Free Market Station and unlock new vendors in each region.

How to Join Sub Rosa in Outer Worlds 2

To discover how to get to Free Market Station and start building your reputation with Sub Rosa, go into the tower near the landing pad on Paradise, then access the terminal within to learn about recent smuggling activities on the island. This will lead you to the Fairfield Constable's office terminal, which will lead you to Emeline Galloway – the greenhouse overseer in Fairfield.

As it turns out, Emeline Galloway is involved in the secretive underground smuggling ring known as Sub Rosa. Complete her request to alter evidence of Sub Rosa's activities in Fairfield, and you will be rewarded with both a chunk of Sub Rosa reputation and the location of Free Market Station.

Non-Reputation Factions

The Protectorate, Earth Directorate, and Rift Cult

There are three major factions that are not mentioned above as you cannot gain reputation or standing with them. These are the Protectorate, the Earth Directorate, and the Rift Cult.

The Protectorate is the authoritarian, autocratic dictatorship that rules Arcadia. Founded by the inventor of the Skip Drive, it is now headed by the god-like Sovereign, who demands utter fealty and adoration from all subjects. The Protectorate is the primary antagonistic faction in The Outer Worlds 2, but you can still work with individual members of the Protectorate without necessarily helping out the Protectorate as an organization.
- For example, even if you are highly respected by Auntie's Choice, you can still stroll into the auto-mech facility south of Westport to help with their Zyranium problem.
The Earth Directorate is the organization that your character is a Commander of at the start of the game. As part of the Earth Directorate, you help to snuff out corrupt corporations and tyrannical governments across the universe for whatever reason your Background dictates for your character.
The Rift Cult can be encountered for the first time on Golden Ridge. The Rift Cult is a group of fanatical cultists who worship the Rifts that have been appearing all around Arcadia (like the ones you can find in the Crabble Spawning Grounds next to the Paradise Landing Pad).
- Though you can't gain reputation with the Rift Cult, you can work with certain members to understand the Rifts that have been appearing across Arcadia.