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Should You Swear Allegiance to the UC or Embrace the Pirate Life with the Crimson Fleet in Starfield?

The age-old question: good or evil? In the sprawling universe of Starfield, this dilemma manifests as a choice between the United Colonies (UC) and the Crimson Fleet. There isn’t a single “better” choice, as it hinges entirely on your preferred playstyle, moral compass, and what you seek to gain from the game. This article delves into the benefits and drawbacks of each faction, helping you decide where your loyalties should lie.

A Deep Dive into the UC and the Crimson Fleet

The UC represents law and order in the Settled Systems. Joining them often aligns with a more lawful, “good” playthrough, emphasizing exploration, diplomacy, and protecting citizens. Conversely, the Crimson Fleet embodies piracy, freedom (albeit a chaotic one), and the pursuit of wealth by any means necessary. Siding with them provides a taste of the outlaw life, focusing on smuggling, raiding, and dealing in contraband.

Ultimately, the choice boils down to this: Do you want to uphold the law and defend the innocent, or carve your own path through the stars, consequences be damned? The answer will dictate which faction you should side with.

UC SysDef: Upholding Law and Order

Benefits of Joining the UC SysDef

Free Housing: As a reward for completing the UC questline, you receive a free house. While it’s not as customizable as an outpost, it provides a safe haven and a storage space.
Moral Alignment: If you prefer playing a “good” character, siding with the UC aligns with that role.
Story and Lore: The UC storyline offers a deep dive into the history and politics of the Settled Systems, providing valuable context for the game world.

Drawbacks of Joining the UC SysDef

Less Profitable: The rewards for UC missions tend to be less lucrative than those offered by the Crimson Fleet.
Limited “Illicit” Opportunities: Joining the UC restricts your ability to engage in smuggling and other criminal activities without facing repercussions.
Potential for Conflict: Siding with the UC may put you at odds with other factions later in the game, depending on your choices.

Crimson Fleet: Embrace the Pirate Life

Benefits of Joining the Crimson Fleet

Access to The Key: The Crimson Fleet’s base, The Key, is a haven for pirates and smugglers. It offers vendors who buy stolen goods and contraband without questions asked, making it an invaluable resource for players who want to engage in illegal activities.
Lucrative Missions: Crimson Fleet missions often reward you handsomely, providing a steady stream of income.
Unique Storyline: The Crimson Fleet questline is filled with intrigue, betrayal, and moral ambiguity, offering a compelling and unique narrative.
Ship Variety: You’ll have access to a wider variety of ships, including specialized vessels designed for combat and smuggling.
The Crimson Wight: The Crimson Wight (and its upgraded versions) is a formidable ship obtainable through the Crimson Fleet, potentially the best the faction has to offer.
Jessamine Griffin: Jessamine Griffin can be hired as companion at The Key.

Drawbacks of Joining the Crimson Fleet

Negative Reputation: Siding with the Crimson Fleet may negatively impact your reputation with other factions, particularly the UC.
Moral Implications: Embracing the pirate life requires engaging in morally questionable activities, which may not appeal to all players.
Bounties: Killing Crimson Fleet members accrues bounty.

Faction Interactions: Can You Have Your Cake and Eat It Too?

Starfield’s faction system is surprisingly flexible. You can join multiple factions simultaneously without immediate penalties. However, your choices within each faction will eventually lead to conflicts.

Balancing Act: Playing Both Sides

It’s possible to work as a double agent, infiltrating the Crimson Fleet on behalf of the UC. This allows you to experience both storylines and reap the rewards of both factions, at least for a while. However, this path requires careful decision-making and may eventually force you to choose a side.

Consequences of Your Actions

Your actions within one faction can affect your standing with others. For example, openly supporting the Crimson Fleet will likely damage your reputation with the UC. Similarly, betraying the Crimson Fleet will make you an enemy of their entire organization.

Making the Right Choice for You

Ultimately, the decision to join the UC or the Crimson Fleet is a matter of personal preference. Consider the following factors:

Your Preferred Playstyle: Do you enjoy exploring, trading, and helping others? Or do you prefer combat, smuggling, and pursuing your own interests, regardless of the consequences?
Your Moral Compass: Are you comfortable engaging in criminal activities, even if it means hurting innocent people? Or do you prefer to uphold the law and protect the innocent?
Your Goals in the Game: Are you focused on accumulating wealth, exploring the galaxy, or uncovering the secrets of the universe?

Answering these questions will help you determine which faction aligns best with your goals and values. Remember, there’s no right or wrong answer. The most important thing is to have fun and create your own unique Starfield experience.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Can you join the Crimson Fleet without joining the UC?

Yes, you can join the Crimson Fleet directly. You don’t need to start with the UC. You can get caught committing a crime in UC space, and then take the offer of joining the Crimson Fleet rather than going to jail.

2. What happens if you join the Crimson Fleet?

Joining the Crimson Fleet grants you access to The Key, a haven for pirates and smugglers. You’ll also be able to avoid hostile encounters with the Crimson Fleet while traveling through the Kryx System. However, your reputation with other factions may suffer.

3. Is UC SysDef or Crimson Fleet better?

Neither is objectively “better.” The UC is generally considered the “good” choice, while the Crimson Fleet offers more lucrative opportunities and a unique storyline. Your choice depends on your playstyle and moral alignment.

4. Can you join UC and Freestar Collective?

Yes, you can join every major faction in Starfield, including the UC and the Freestar Collective, potentially within minutes of each other.

5. Does Andreja like the Crimson Fleet?

Andreja doesn’t particularly like the Crimson Fleet, but she also doesn’t automatically disapprove of you joining them. She might, however, object to specific actions you take while a member of the Fleet, depending on your choices.

6. How do I get rid of my bounty in the Crimson Fleet?

You can clear a Crimson Fleet bounty the same way you clear UC or Freestar Collective bounties: by visiting a bounty clearance terminal in space controlled by a neutral faction.

7. What is the best ship in the Crimson Fleet?

The Crimson Wight, particularly its upgraded versions (II or III), is considered the best ship the Crimson Fleet offers.

8. Should I side with the Crimson Fleet or Vanguard?

Siding with the Crimson Fleet generally offers a more unique and rewarding experience, primarily due to the access to The Key and its vendors. The Vanguard provides a more traditional, “good” storyline.

9. How many missions are in the Crimson Fleet questline?

The Crimson Fleet questline consists of eight main missions.

10. Can you join the Crimson Fleet if you join the Vanguard?

Yes, joining the Vanguard is a common way to initiate the Crimson Fleet questline, as it leads to the “Deep Cover” mission.

11. Can I steal the UC Vigilance?

While you can board and potentially take control of the UC Vigilance, landing it can be problematic. Some players report being unable to land it normally. You may need to get arrested while in orbit to trigger a landing sequence.

12. Can you get a Crimson Fleet companion?

Yes, you can hire Jessamine Griffin as a companion by visiting the Last Nova on The Key.

13. How do I join the Crimson Fleet without going undercover?

The most straightforward way to join without going undercover is to get arrested for committing a crime, and then choosing to side with the Crimson Fleet rather than going to prison.

14. Should I jump to UC or Crimson Fleet Starfield?

Whether you should “jump” to the UC or Crimson Fleet depends on your goals. Jumping to the UC means siding with the law and order forces, while jumping to the Crimson Fleet signals your embrace of the pirate life and all its opportunities and consequences.

15. Can you be Crimson Fleet and Freestar Ranger?

Yes, it is possible to align with both the Crimson Fleet and the Freestar Rangers. Doing so does not preclude you from completing either faction questline.

Is it better to join Crimson Fleet or UC?