How to join the United Colonies in Starfield

Starfield features quite a few factions for players to join while they adventure throughout the cosmos. If you want to be part of one of the largest factions in the galaxy, the United Colonies, you can do this fairly early on in the game. Here’s how to join both the UC Vanguard and SysDef.

How to join the UC Vanguard in Starfield

Oddly enough, there are almost two different UC factions you can join, depending on your choices. The first of these is the quickest to join and that is the UC Vanguard, which is like the reserves pilot volunteer military force.

It is also a way to become a UC citizen and earn the right to buy property in New Atlantis. To join, all you need to do is complete the prologue of Starfield and grav jump to New Atlantis. You don’t even need to visit the Constellation Lodge and continue the main story if you don’t want to.

Simply head to the MAST District in New Atlantis and into the massive main capital building that towers over everything else. In the lobby here, speak with Commander Tuala to begin the Vanguard initiation procedures.

There are a few steps you’ll have to complete to fully join the Vanguard, which are as follows:

• Visit the Orientation Hall and partake in the historical lessons (optional)
• Complete the pilot test (you need to complete at least the third level)
• Make your oath

Once you do these, you’ll have your first Vanguard mission. It may seem like a routine mission to check on some settlers but be prepared. After completing this first mission, you’ll be fully integrated into the UC Vanguard.

How to join the UC SysDef

There is, technically, another United Colonies faction you can join. After completing your first mission for the UC Vanguard, you’ll eventually have the option to go looking for someone named Dr. Percival Walker on Mars.

After you complete that mission and return to Commander Tuala, he will also let you know about visiting the UC Vanguard ship. If you visit that ship, you’ll have the chance to join the SysDef and work as an undercover agent for them while investigating the Crimson Fleet space pirates.

While the faction is mostly for the Crimson Fleet, you do have the option to side with either the UC SysDef or space pirates, so it is possible to join two United Colonies factions in your game.