Summary
- Starfield allows players to align themselves with, or make enemies of various factions, each with their own unique identity and benefits.
- While the best faction in Starfield is subjective and depends on the player's beliefs, some factions offer more freedom and intrigue than others.
- Players cannot join certain factions like the Ecliptic Mercenaries or the Spacers, but they can encounter them during their journey across the stars.
Starfield opens up in the classic Bethesda style of giving players the freedom to align themselves or make enemies of, a specific faction. There are a few factions of note in Starfield that the player can join or fight against, some, more powerful than others. Every faction in Starfield has its own identity that makes it distinct from others, but which of them is the best in terms of their acceptance, reward, and members?
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The best faction in Starfield is genuinely up to the player and their beliefs, but it cannot be denied that some of these factions present more freedom than others, and the intrigue surrounding their lore and their benefits make them greater than some of the lesser options.
Updated on December 20, 2023 by Jake Fillery: Factions remain an important aspect of Starfield, and players can make or break relationships across the Settled Systems, depending on their morality and choices across the stars. The best factions in Starfield are often those with power, and to those who know how to use it. Each faction has notable figures within them, as well as key details that players might want to know before they decide to side or start a war, with said factions.
12 Spacers
Thieves & Murderers
- Territory: No Territory
- Leader: No Leader
- Notable Members: No Named Members
Operating as criminals, violent scavengers, and other oddities of scum and villainy, the Spacers are lesser known for their union, and they prefer to work in smaller groups that are independent of each other. Spacers were in fact the name given to these ‘lesser’ pirates that seem to enjoy terrorizing the free space and looting anyone who dared to venture into the cosmos without defenses.
The Spacers prefer to loot abandoned places over the aggressive nature of their counterpart, the Crimson Fleet. The fact that Spacers are so unorganized makes them dangerous, as they will not hesitate to attack anyone in their sight, including the player, thus making it impossible for players to join the Spacers in Starfield.
11 Ecliptic Mercenaries
Professional Mercenaries
- Territory: Scattered in the Settled Systems
- Leader: Unknown
- Notable Members: Commander Creek, Captain Bales
Professional Mercenaries that operate in the Settled Systems, the Ecliptic Mercenaries will work for anyone who provides them with enough Credits. However, their work doesn’t come cheap, nor does it come with a smile. They’re often rude, brash, and eager to kill anyone who gets in their way and looks at them funny. They’re so effective that even the United Colonies and Freestar Collective use them for their dirty work.
Players cannot join the Ecliptic Mercenaries in Starfield as a faction, but they can encounter them more than once as they journey across the stars. There are usually a lot of Ecliptic Mercenaries grouped together, especially when they are defending locations like the Red Mile.
10 Ebbside Strikers
Street Gang
- Territory: Madame Sauvage's Place
- Leader: Briggs
- Notable Members: Vogal Fuches, Hatchet, Andrea Sandoval
The Ebbside Strikers are an up-and-coming gang that can be found on Neon. They’re relatively new to the criminal activities that plague Neon, so they aren’t the most capable of criminals out there. However, players can still enjoy their company, and wear their crest with pride knowing they are part of a gang that believes that they can change things in Neon.
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The problem with the Ebbside Strikers is that they have heavy competition and opposition from the Disciples, a more renowned and infamous gang on Neon that has caused the security team quite some trouble. If players join this street gang, they may find themselves with a nice named weapon to use.
9 Sanctum Universum
Religious Organization
- Territory: None
- Leader: Keeper Aquilus
- Notable Members: Keeper Aquilus, Matteo Khatri
For those seeking a more peaceful religion that doesn’t involve planetary conquest and destruction, Sanctum Universum might be for them. Considering Starfield is set in the 24th century, it’s not surprising that some elements of human history have been forgotten or blurred, and Sanctum Universum seems to be bringing that back with the claim and comfort that God exists, and humanity will one day find Him.
Sanctum Universum believes God to be absolute, and that the invention of the Grav Drive was guided by God to take humanity to Him. It’s an interesting religion in Starfield that asks some rather profound questions about the universe, and they don’t worship a giant snake, so that’s a bonus. However, their somewhat peaceful ways don't exactly grant them a sense of power amongst the dangers of the universe.
8 Trade Authority
Mercantile Organization
- Territory: Settled Systems
- Leader: Unknown
- Notable Members: Zoe Kaminski, Radley Jaso, Oktai Enbayar
The Trade Authority holds a position as one of the best mercantile organizations in the galaxy. All of the Settled Systems know of the Trade Authority, and it seems everyone has dealings with them sooner or later. Whether it's buying stolen or forbidden goods or selling, the Trade Authority doesn't judge, they are just interested in lining their pockets.
The true influence of the Trade Authority is unknown, but what is known, is that every time they go to trial over their sketchy reputation, the witnesses that testify always seem to recant. Kiosks and officials from the Trade Authority can be found all across the Settled Systems, and it's no telling what wondrous artifacts they have in their possession, and the crimes under their rug.
7 Ryujin Industries
Corporation
- Territory: Ryujin Tower
- Leader: Masako Imada
- Notable Members: Ularu Chen, Dalton Fiennes, Lane Garza
It wouldn’t be sci-fi without a futuristic and corrupt megacorporation that deals in corporate espionage. Ryujin Industries prides itself on its countless products and its lack of competition. They act in secret so that their PR team doesn’t have to try and keep relations with the public on the good side, knowing that they are up to some shady dealings.
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Ryujin Industries is one of the leading megacorporations of the Settled Systems, and their fascination with consumers only grows with each acquisition and each transaction, proving that the more money they have, perhaps the more dangerous they will become. Players can join Ryujin Industries in Starfield through an interview, and in doing so, they may unveil some dark corporate secrets that house more power than first realized.
6 House Va’ruun
Religious Government
- Territory: Va'ruun'kai
- Leader: Anasko Va'ruun
- Notable Members: Andreja, Mir'za, Tomisar Ka'dic
House Va’ruun is a dangerous group of religious zealots that worship the Great Serpent, which is quite literally a giant serpent that slithers through space, capable of Grav Jumps and other incredible feats to prove itself as the one true God in Starfield. House Va’ruun has growing numbers and members, even if their formation as a government in the Settled Systems remains dangerously unknown to the United Colonies. Whilst the unknown nature of House Va'ruun inspires intrigue, the lacking knowledge surrounding them leaves much to be desired in a Starfield DLC.
House Va’ruun is not to be trifled with. There isn’t much known about the inner workings of House Va’ruun due to their secrecy and hatred of the Settled Systems. Whilst players cannot directly join Hosue Va'ruun, they can have their character be a part of it through the Serpent's Embrace Trait. House Va'ruun are certainly to be feared, as they were integral in many wars across the Settled Systems. The fact that they exist, growing in numbers, with their homeworld secret within the infinite of stars, leaves many to believe that their threat is yet to come once more.
5 United Colonies
Interstellar Government
- Territory: Alpha Centauri, Sol, Wolf
- Leader: President Alexandra Abello
- Notable Members: Commander Kibwe Ikande, Commander John Tuala, Vae Victis
Perhaps the most prominent faction in the galaxy, the United Colonies conquered due to the fact that they were the first interstellar government. They formed the Settled Systems, and have held control of them ever since, with some of the most famous planets and cities under their banner. The United Colonies grew in numbers, especially thanks to the fact that people were required to join their service to become citizens.
The United Colonies have many divisions, but perhaps the most notable are the United Colonies and UC SysDef, the two that players can access. Both involve espionage, conspiracy, and plenty of fighting, and players can get some unique rewards and join the United Colonies in Starfield, and through loyalty to this space republic, they will receive a home.
4 Constellation
Exploration Organization
- Territory: The Lodge, The Eye
- Leader: Sarah Morgan
- Notable Members: Barrett, Walter Stroud, Vladimir Sall
Space exploration is the key to Constellation, a group that prides itself on discovering more of the infinite cosmos around them. Constellation is regarded as a rarity due to their dedication and passion for exploring space, and having unwavering morals when facing adversaries. Constellation seek questions and answers of the galaxy and beyond it.
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Constellation’s team may be small, but these dedicated characters are all recognizable, making Constellation a tightly woven family of different identities. Players can join Constellation in Starfield to obtain unique romanceable companions. Constellation may not have an army by its side, but its explorative ways of the universe cement it as a beautiful faction.
3 Freestar Collective
Interstellar Government
- Territory: Cheyenne, Narion, Volii
- Leader: Council of Governors
- Notable Characters: Sam Coe, Benjamin Bayu
If players want to live out their fantasy of being a space cowboy, then the Freestar Collective is the choice for them. This group may have been at war with the United Colonies, but they mainly act as a group of intergalactic sheriffs and deputies, deploying law across a lawless galaxy thanks to the Freestar Rangers.
The Freestar Rangers are a lot of fun to be around thanks to their Western personalities and guns. Players can become part of the Freestar Collective to enjoy a central storyline involving crime and corruption, as well as the ability to bring down the hammer of justice in the Settled Systems.