In true top-tier Bethesda fashion,Starfieldhas options to form easy and sometimes uneasy allegiances that guarantee no adventure will be boring. On top of itsthree religions,Starfieldalso invites players to join at least one out of five different secular factions. One of the factions breathes life into the game’s main quest, while the others each come with their set perks and possible downsides. Here’s a comprehensive guide to help you navigate your loyalties.

Non-joinable Factions:

Can I join more than one faction per playthrough?

Yes. you’re able to simultaneously be in every faction in the game. Still, some of their questlines run diametrically opposite to one another. I’d recommend you don’t overcomplicate things on your first playthrough. Perhaps consider saving your desire to be both a space cop and a space pirate for New Game +.

What do these factions stand for?

Constellation

The Constellation was once a big group that fell into hard times and is currently little more than a myth in the minds of people. They’re all about just exploring space. This is the default faction, so it’s no wonder that they feel a bit milquetoast, but maybe players will have some fun bringing it back to its former glory.

The Constellation is led by Sarah Morgan and its missions are tied to the game’s main questline.

Starfield memo Todd Howard sent to Microsoft, Xbox, and Bethesda

Rewards:This is the default faction that all players will be a part of and its only reward is allowing players to finish the main quest.

United Colonies

The United Colonies is the biggest and most powerful faction in the game. They’re a highly militarized Space Republic whose operations span across the entire system. They use New Atlantis as their main base.

They’re longtime enemies of the Freespace Collective and new enemies of the Crimson fleet, two of the other joinable factions.

One of the Starfield romance options, Sarah Morgan

Rewards:

Ryujin Industries

Remember the “Corpo” faction fromCyberpunk 2077?It’s basically that — in space.

Ryujin Industries is Bethesda’s nod to Sci-Fi epics such asBlade Runnerthat foresaw an Asian-megacorp-dominated landscape. This mega-corp doesn’t dominate the galaxy yet, but it’s working on it. Ryujin Industries uses Neon as its base of operations.

United Colonies guards in Starfield.

Freestar Collective

Remember when George Lucas set out to haveStar Warsresemble a Western, but didn’t straight up make everyone look like a cowboy? You could tell Han Solo was a classic outlaw even though he didn’t wear a funny hat.

The Freestar Collective is here for all fans of Westerns who want to keep it uncomplicated. They’re space cowboys who like to live simple lives in simple settlements. They’re all about freedom and wearing hats. They have fought against the United Colonies in the past and the two factions still don’t see eye to eye regarding space life.

Ryujin Industries in Starfield.

Crimson Fleet

If the name and their “skull and bones” sigil aren’t enough to give it away, we’re happy to inform you that we’ve conducted some research that led us to the conclusion that these are some no-good space pirates.

Just kidding — they’re awesome space pirates. The Crimson Fleet is all about pillaging. They naturally don’t take it kindly to the United Colonies’ influence over the galaxy, but they sure like the UC’s loot.

Screenshot via Bethesda Softworks Youtube

Players can either join them and work against the UC, or join the UC and then infiltrate the Crimson Fleet to destroy it from the inside.

What’s the best Faction to play as in Starfield?

When it comes to the rewards, I’d say that the Crimson Fleet is definitely the best faction to pick.

Still, it’s important to note that each faction will give you very different quests. The UC offers the more varied set of quests out of all the factions, whereas the Freestar Collective has more straightforward quests that’ll leave you feeling like a classic action hero. Ryujin Industries will have players doing all sorts of dark corporate dealings, and the Crimson Fleet will allow you to live like a pirate in space. That being said, yeah, I’d still go with the Crimson Fleet any day.

Crimson field armor in Starfield

You can now pick your faction and/or factions inStarfieldon PC and Xbox Series X|S.

OW2 Wuyang surfing

All new icons in EA FC 25

Looking out a hole in the side of grafton farmhouse at a tree in a field in phasmophobia

peak game screenshot