Starfield is a massive RPG with multiple factions, and you should learn some information about them before jumping into your space adventure! Next, you can find our Starfield factions list, which will help you determine who you want to join, who you want to fight, and what quests and rewards are in it for you.
There are many factions throughout the game, each representing and upholding different values. Let’s take a look at all these factions and what they have to offer you!
All Factions in Starfield Listed
Starfield has a vast galaxy filled with different planets, secrets, cities, and places to visit. Of course, many creatures, including countless humans, prefer to unite in other factions—many creatures, including countless humans. There are several of them, and you can join some of these groups. Factions are divided into Major and Minor categories. However, you can only join some of them, and many are hostile. Factions are also where you'll face the most important decisions in Starfield.
Here's a breakdown of all the factions in Starfield:
Major Story Factions
- United Colonies Vanguard
- Freestar Collective Rangers
- Constellation
- Ryujin Industries
- Crimson Fleet
- UC System Defense
Religious Factions
Criminal Factions
- Crimson Fleet
- Ecliptic Mercenaries
- Disciples
- Ebbside Strikers
- The First
- Seokguh Syndicate
- Shaw Gang
- Spacers
- Va'ruun Zealots
Other Factions
- Starborn
- Trackers' Alliance
- Trade Authority
- Xenofresh Corporation
- L.I.S.T(League of Independent Settlers)
- The Red Mile
Are All Factions Playable in Starfield?
Yes, you can join and play through questlines for all the major factions in Starfield. However, many minor factions, such as the Xenofresh Corporation, are not joinable.
How to Join a Faction in Starfield
There are a few factions that you can join in Starfield, and each of them has its initiation procedure. Here's a brief intro to every significant faction and how to join them.
What Is Constellation in Starfield?
Constellation is a legendary faction of explorers, and they are not doing well at the moment. The organization isn't well known and seems to be in decline. They are the first major faction you’ll have to join, and you will do it right at the beginning of your journey. Constellation is tied to the main story, and you'll meet important companions here on your hunt for the Artifacts. All the romanceable companions in Starfield also belong to the Constellation.
How to Join
After completing your first main story mission, One Small Step, you join the Constellation crew.
Questline Summary
Journey across the Settled Systems and meet all sorts of characters as you track down the mysterious but powerful artifacts. In your pursuit, you will come face to face with other-worldly enemies with inhuman Powers who will try to put a halt to your progress. Keep pushing forward till you reach the convergence of the Universe.
Who Are the United Colonies in Starfield?
The United Colonies are the strongest human faction in the massive galaxy of Starfield. They are pretty militaristic and also in conflict with the Freestar Collective. This conflict led to the Colony Wars and the birth of the fearsome Terrormorphs.
Read our United Colonies faction guide to learn their philosophy, history, quests, and rewards.
How to Join
You can sign up for the UC Vanguard at the MAST Tower in New Atlantis by talking to Commander John Tuala.
Questline Summary
You can join the United Colonies Vanguard for a questline that uncovers the mystery of the Terrormorphs or join SysDef to infiltrate the Crimson Fleet(More on them ahead). Both these questlines are highly engaging stories we recommend you play through. Uncover a conspiracy regarding the origin of the Terrormorphs and how they are being weaponized.
What is the Freestar Collective in Starfield?
The Freestar Collective is an interesting alternative to the United Colonies. Instead of militarism and advancement, they offer personal freedom and justice. They look like guys who live in a sci-fi western and are joinable like the previous two factions. Their quest involves ensuring the freedom of farmers terrorised by space pirates and unveiling a conspiracy within their system. Read our Freestar Collective faction guide for all the details and rewards.
How to Join
The first time you visit Akila City, probably during the Empty Nest main quest, you'll see that a bank is held up with an ongoing robbery. Choose to intervene by talking to the major in charge, and you'll start on the Freestar Rangers questline.
Questline Summary
The Freestar Rangers questline is straightforward and has you investigating the case of mercenaries with stolen ships threatening some poor farmers. Investigate the thread of clues as they lead you back to one of the most powerful men in the Settled Systems. You decide what justice means to you here.
What Is Ryujin Industries in Starfield?
Ryujin Industries is a cutthroat mega-corp, and you can join them. To do so, you must apply for a job at their Kiosk and show that you will be a valuable employee. Their faction quest involves entering the corporate world as hired muscle and climbing your way to the top of the ladder using stealth, brawn, and various espionage tactics. Experience the dark side of the corporate world.
How to Join
You can apply for a job interview at the Ryujin Industries Kiosk at either New Atlantis or the Ryujin HQ over at Neon City. This starts the Ryujin Industries questline with the quest Back To The Grind.
Questline Summary
The Ryujin Industries questline involves performing a bunch of espionage quests first to prove your worth. This leads to a big job that has you in the prime position of getting to decide the fate of the company and the corporate world of the Settled Systems. The quests mainly involve a lot of stealth, persuasion, and lockpicking.
What Is the Crimson Fleet in Starfield?
The Crimson Fleet is a bunch of pirates who oppose other major factions. The most exciting thing about this faction is that you can join it in a couple of different ways. This is the game's evil faction; these outlaws will be your enemies before you choose to join them.
How to Join
You can infiltrate the Crimson Fleet as a double agent. UC Sysdef will ask you to undermine this organization from the inside the first time you get arrested, which can lead you to make some brutal and challenging decisions. Alternatively, you can ignore them and gain an invitation to the Fleet from one of their members, who will respect your refusal.
Questline Summary
The Crimson Fleet questline involves infiltrating their ranks as a double agent and helping Delgado search for Kryx's treasure. Ultimately, you will choose between supporting the Crimson Fleet or the UC Sysdef. The quests include morally dubious choices such as assassinations and illegal smuggling.
Can You Join More Than One Faction in Starfield?
Yes, Starfield allows you to join all the factions, and joining rival factions is usually okay. For example, in one playthrough, you can experience the stories of the UC Vanguard, Freestar Rangers, and the Ryuujin Industries. An exception comes with the US Sysdef and the Crimson Fleet, as the questline asks you to choose one.
Another exception is with the religions that you can only join at the start by having their respective traits. You can only be a member of a single religion at a time and lose out on access to the other religions' shops and discounts.
Can You Leave a Faction in Starfield?
Yes, you can opt out of a faction, but it usually makes them hostile. For the major factions, you'd have to commit crimes against them for them to kick you out and strip you of your title. The only exceptions are SysDef and the Crimson Fleet, which have intertwining quests where you must side with one of them. You can leave minor factions, such as religions, by talking to the religious leader.
Otherwise, you must venture into New Game Plus and not sign up for their quest line to fully cut all ties with a faction.
What Factions Are Not Playable in Starfield?
There are also a few Starfield factions that you can’t join. Also, in this category, we have included factions about which we have little information. So, perhaps some of these groups mentioned below will be playable in the game.
- Ecliptic Mercenaries – A faction of different mercs who may remind you of the Crimson Fleet.
- Spacers – Dangerous raiders and marauders, similar to the bandits from Fallout 4 and Skyrim.
- Xenofresh Corporation – The corporation that built the city of Neon and created the Aurora drug.
These are all the factions you can find in Starfield. You can check their respective guides for their complete histories and questline breakdowns.
Want to read more content about Starfield? Learn about all the places you can visit in cities like New Atlantis and Neon City. Also, learn about important decisions in the game, such as choosing the Hunter or Emissary or defending the Eye or the Lodge.
For all things Starfield, stick with us at Starfield Portal.
Explore new topics and discover content that's right for you!