How Do You Deal with the Crimson Fleet?
Dealing with the Crimson Fleet in Starfield is a multifaceted challenge that can be approached in various ways, depending on your playstyle and goals. Essentially, “dealing” with them encompasses everything from engaging in space combat, managing bounties, infiltrating their ranks, to ultimately choosing whether to side with or against them. It’s not a simple matter of eradication; the Crimson Fleet presents a complex faction with their own goals, motivations, and powerful ships. Effectively dealing with them means understanding their structure, exploiting their weaknesses, and deciding how you want to interact with them. The best way to handle the Crimson Fleet depends on whether you want to befriend them, exploit their system for profit, or eradicate them as a threat.
Combatting the Crimson Fleet in Space
Targeting and Tactics
When engaging the Crimson Fleet in space combat, several tactical considerations can make the difference between victory and defeat. The first step is always to target them to lock on, allowing you to track their movements. It’s often beneficial to keep them centered on your screen to maintain that lock effectively. Then, focus your initial attacks on their shields using laser weaponry. Once the shields are down, switch to your more powerful ballistic weapons to deal direct damage to their hull. This approach maximizes your efficiency in eliminating ships quickly.
Ship Upgrades and Customization
To consistently win against the Crimson Fleet, investing in ship upgrades is crucial. You’ll need better shields, more powerful weapons, and improved maneuverability. Prioritize upgrades that boost your laser weapon damage and shield regeneration, as these are particularly helpful against pirate ships. A well-equipped ship can make space combat with the Fleet much less daunting. The Crimson Wight and its upgraded variations are some of the most formidable ships you will face or, if you join them, could own.
Managing Crimson Fleet Bounties
How to Get a Crimson Fleet Bounty
You won’t accrue a bounty with the Crimson Fleet unless you join their faction. Once you’re a member, actions that would normally incur a bounty with other factions will apply to the Fleet as well. These bounties are not for attacking other members of the fleet, but usually result when a pirate ship is destroyed without any witnesses.
Clearing Crimson Fleet Bounties
Clearing a Crimson Fleet bounty is done the same way you’d clear one with the UC or the Freestar Collective. You must travel to space controlled by the Freestar Collective or United Colonies and pay at one of their self-service bounty clearance kiosks. These kiosks are typically found near landing zones or inside bars at major settlements, providing easy access for managing your wanted status.
Avoiding Bounties
The best way to avoid a Crimson Fleet bounty once you join them is to try to leave no witnesses of your piratical acts. In practical terms, this usually means destroying the targeted ships as quickly as possible.
Infiltrating the Crimson Fleet
The “Deep Cover” Quest
The most common method of joining the Crimson Fleet is through the “Deep Cover” quest. This quest typically begins after taking the Vanguard oath and progressing through the related mission, “Supra et Ultra“, which can be started in New Atlantis, after speaking to Commander Tuala. You will also need to make contact with Adler Kemp, who is found in the Mast district in New Atlantis.
Joining as a Regular Captain
It is also possible to join the Crimson Fleet without infiltrating them. If you get arrested and refuse to join SysDef as an undercover agent, you will be given the option of going to jail or joining the Fleet.
Benefits of Joining
Joining the Crimson Fleet provides several benefits, notably easy access to smuggling contraband due to the lack of scans at The Key, their space station. Additionally, you can sell contraband to their vendors at good prices. However, be prepared for your companion characters to disapprove of this choice.
Choosing a Side: Crimson Fleet vs. UC SysDef
The Moral Dilemma
One of the most significant choices in Starfield is whether to side with the Crimson Fleet or the UC SysDef. Siding with the Crimson Fleet generally leads to greater financial and material gains, primarily through looting and smuggling. Siding with UC SysDef offers a more morally righteous path, often with rewards centered around security and justice.
Consequences of Each Choice
Choosing the Crimson Fleet means sacrificing your relationship with several NPCs in the UC and will lead to fighting with them. Choosing UC SysDef means killing off the leaders and members of the Fleet. It also means you lose access to many of the benefits of being a member of the Fleet, especially on The Key. Ultimately, the choice is yours and depends on your preferred playstyle.
Siding with the Crimson Fleet: Practical Steps
To side fully with the Crimson Fleet, you must ultimately kill Commander Ikande and seize control of the Vigilance, the UC flagship. This choice leads to a series of challenging battles, but ultimately rewards you with the benefits of being a full member of the Fleet.
Important Considerations
The Kryx Legacy
The main quest line for the Crimson Fleet culminates in a search for Kryx’s Legacy, a legendary treasure. Although the treasure cannot be kept after completing the quest line, you will receive one of the best weapons in the game as a reward, along with the satisfaction of finishing one of Starfield’s key quests.
Can You Join Both Factions?
You cannot be a full member of both the Crimson Fleet and UC SysDef. You will need to choose one faction, and committing to one will lock you out of the other’s questlines. You are able to join Constellation, Crimson Fleet, Freestar Collective, Ryujin Industries, and United Colonies.
Companion Disapproval
Be aware that many companions will disapprove of your choices to join or side with the Crimson Fleet. This can affect your relationships with those companions and the overall narrative of the game.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How do I initially encounter the Crimson Fleet?
The Crimson Fleet is often encountered in space during normal exploration, especially in areas with lower security. You may also encounter them through early UC Vanguard quests.
2. What are the benefits of joining the Crimson Fleet?
Joining the Crimson Fleet allows for easy contraband smuggling at The Key, access to specialized vendors, and unique missions.
3. Can I join the Crimson Fleet without being a double agent?
Yes, if you are arrested and refuse to work for UC SysDef, you can choose to join the Crimson Fleet instead.
4. How can I avoid getting a bounty while doing piracy for the Crimson Fleet?
Try to destroy your targets quickly, leaving no witnesses. This means trying to do it in a single attack.
5. What is the best ship to use against the Crimson Fleet?
The Crimson Wight and its upgraded versions are the best options offered by the Fleet, but any well-upgraded ship can compete effectively.
6. How do I pay off my Crimson Fleet bounty?
You must visit a self-service bounty clearance kiosk in space controlled by either the Freestar Collective or United Colonies.
7. What happens if I get arrested by the Crimson Fleet?
If arrested by the Crimson Fleet, you may incur fines, serve jail time, or get recruited into the Fleet, depending on the circumstances.
8. Can I betray the Crimson Fleet after joining?
Yes, you can choose to betray them when given the option during the relevant mission for the UC SysDef.
9. What loot can I find in Crimson Crates?
Crimson Crates often drop items related to Crimson Hearts and other biome-specific resources.
10. Does choosing sides in the Crimson Fleet questline impact the main story?
Yes, it can alter the main story to some degree, but the overall narrative remains consistent.
11. Can I sell stolen items and contraband to the Crimson Fleet?
Yes, The Key offers the best place in the game to offload both.
12. What happens if I ignore the “Deep Cover” quest?
Ignoring it won’t break the game, but you’ll miss out on a significant questline and opportunities. You can choose to do another quest to infiltrate the Fleet.
13. Are there specific weapons that are more effective against the Crimson Fleet?
Weapons that can break through shields quickly and then deal direct hull damage are the most effective.
14. Is the Crimson Fleet a hostile faction if I don’t join them?
The Crimson Fleet will usually be hostile if encountered in contested space. They may also be aggressive if you are doing a mission that requires you to attack them.
15. What is Kryx’s Legacy and can I keep it?
Kryx’s Legacy is a valuable treasure sought by the Crimson Fleet. You cannot keep it after the questline, but completing it grants one of the best weapons in the game.
In conclusion, dealing with the Crimson Fleet in Starfield is a complex experience that involves combat, decision-making, and moral choices. Whether you choose to join their ranks or fight against them, understanding their mechanics and utilizing the best strategies will be critical for success.