Starfield Factions Guide - All Factions And Their Questlines (2024)

By Jason Rodriguez on September 15, 2023 at 2:09PM PDT

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There are several Starfield factions that you can join during the course of your adventure. These organizations tend to have their own goals that must be achieved, though a select few characters from each faction may also play a role in the main story. Our Starfield factions guide discusses everything you need to know about these groups and their lengthy questlines.

Starfield factions guide

We've broken down our Starfield factions guide into the following categories: main, allegiance, religious, mercenary, and miscellaneous. The main faction, Constellation, is heavily tied to the narrative. Allegiance factions are those with a lengthy quest arc, as well as a related trait. Religious factions, meanwhile, are the sects that are present in the galaxy. Mercenary forces are those that you have to battle as you explore star systems, but there's one in particular that you can join, too. Lastly, miscellaneous factions are those that generally provide bounty-type side quests.

Main faction: Constellation

Constellation is a group of explorers eager to venture forth into the unknown. They're central to the main quest--indeed, most objectives in the campaign come from them. They also have members that will, eventually, become your companions.

The group's headquarters is known as The Lodge, located in New Atlantis in Jemison. You can learn more about them in the following guides:

• Companion: Sarah romance and quest
• Companion: Andreja romance and quest
• Companion: Barrett romance and quest
• Mission: A High Price to Pay

Allegiance factions: United Colonies, Freestar Collective, and Ryujin Industries

United Colonies

The United Colonies were formed after the destruction of Earth's magnetosphere. The billions that have fled the planet managed to find a new home in New Atlantis in Jemison, which became the faction's main base of operations. A central government was formed and, from there, the influence of the United Colonies spread to nearby systems.

A trait, United Colonies Native, grants additional dialogue options and quest rewards, though you'd also end up with a higher bounty on planets controlled by rival factions. You can learn more in our how to join the United Colonies guide.

Freestar Collective

The Freestar Collective was formed out of a desire to break free of United Colonies' rule. As the power of the United Colonies held sway over various planets, there were those who sought more independence and autonomy. These requests were granted, and countless people reached farther across the galaxy.

While the two groups maintained peaceful relations for years, tensions led to an all-out war, which the Freestar Collective eventually won. The faction now guards the frontiers, with their bastion situated in Akila City.

A trait, Freestar Collective Settler, has a similar effect in terms of dialogue options, rewards, and increased bounty on planets owned by other factions. You can learn more in our how to join the Freestar Collective guide.

Ryujin Industries

While governments vied for control in the political arena, Ryujin Industries set about its own conquest in the world of business. After acquiring numerous companies and brands, the conglomerate also opted to engage in a bit of industrial espionage from its headquarters in Neon.

A trait, Neon Street Rat, gives you bonus rewards for quest completions in the city itself. You can learn more in our how to join Ryujin Industries guide.

Religious factions: House of the Enlightened, Sanctum Universum, and The Va'ruun

House of the Enlightened

The House of the Enlightened is one of the religious factions in Starfield. Think of them as atheism on a galactic scale. They do not believe in a divine being, but they aim to provide help to those in need on the basis of human kindness and empathy, as opposed to religious dogma. The Raised Enlightened trait nets you additional dialogue options, as well as a chest in the sect's main building in New Atlantis' The Well area.

Sanctum Universum

The Sanctum Universum is an amalgamation of monotheistic faiths. Diametrically opposed to the Enlightened, those who follow the path of the Universal believe in the capital-G God, one who has guided humanity's journey across the stars. The Raised Universal trait has a similar effect, and you'll find their church is in the Embassy District in New Atlantis.

The Va'ruun

Compared to the two religious sects mentioned above, the Va'ruun are completely hostile and relentless. They believe in only one thing: the coming of the Great Serpent and the annihilation of those who do not follow the path. Eschewing all trappings of a normal life on a planet, their forces prefer life in spacecraft, endlessly traversing the emptiness of the void.

The Great Serpent trait doesn't give you an extra chest. Rather, it grants boosts after grav jumping to another star system, and penalties if you don't do grav jumps for prolonged periods. As of the time of this writing, we've yet to find out if it's possible to join the faction.

Mercenary factions: Crimson Fleet, Spacers, Ecliptic, and The First

Crimson Fleet

The Crimson Fleet is the largest warband of space pirates, striking terror into the hearts of hapless merchantmen and civilians. Although the United Colonies and Freestar Collective try their best to guard their respective systems, the pirates still manage to get away. Still, you might find yourself infiltrating the group, as tasked by the UC SysDef operations. You can learn more in our how to join the Crimson Fleet guide.

Other Mercenaries

The other mercenary groups--Spacers, Ecliptic, and The First--are encountered as you explore various planets and star systems. There are instances where you'd grav jump to another location, only to realize that their engines are burning and their weapons are primed.

Likewise, due to the cessation of hostilities between the United Colonies and Freestar Collective, numerous bases and outposts have been left abandoned, ready for the taking. As such, you might even see these troops defending those facilities on various planets.

Miscellaneous factions: Trade Authority, Trackers, Galbank, and others

Starfield factions also include those that you encounter on planets and ships. As far as we can tell, they do not have their own lengthy quest chain. Instead, they might have side quests posted on mission boards in cities, or they'd have their own ships plying trade routes. Here are some examples:

• The Trade Authority has job postings for cargo delivery and passenger ferrying.
• Trackers may ask you to eliminate a target and claim the bounty on their head.
• Galbank has branches in cities, but the company also has armored ships loaded with credits.
• Stroud-Ecklund is a corporation that builds ships, and you might be asked to help their R&D section in the Overdesigned mission.

These are just some examples of factions in Starfield. Last but not least, there's one particular faction that you'll get to meet later in the campaign, and further onward in New Game Plus. We certainly won't spoil all the details here.

Starfield is a massive game with numerous planets to explore. For other tips and tactics, you can visit our guides hub.

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