Starfield has many factions that players can join or decide to ignore. One of the early factions you’ll encounter is the UC Vanguard, and this guide will cover whether or not you should join them in Starfield.
What Are the Benefits of Joining the UC Vanguard in Starfield?
Joining the UC Vanguard in Starfield is one of our top recommendations, and it won’t lock you out of other factions. When you join the UC Vanguard, you get access to a horror-themed questline involving deadly aliens menacing the galaxy. Combine this with a vast governmental conspiracy and multiple quest endings, one of which can turn you into a contract assassin, and you get an iconic faction mission along with renewable quests in the future.
The quests included in joining the UC Vanguard are exciting, too. Starfield is all about meeting new characters along your journey, and there’s no better way to start doing this early than by unlocking a bunch of quests with the UC Vanguard.
Simply put, there’s no reason not to join this faction. Doing so won’t lock you out of joining other factions, so you don’t have to worry about that.
Related: How to Recruit New Crew Members in Starfield
How to Join the UC Vanguard
To join the UC Vanguard, talk to Commander Tuala at the headquarters in New Atlantis. If you are unsure where to find the headquarters so you can speak to Tuala, just follow the main mission, and one of your companions will bring you to talk to him. This occurs very early in your playthrough.
After interacting with Commander Tuala, inform him that you are interested in joining the UC Vanguard, and he will sign you up for a test to get initiated. Follow the waypoint, and once you reach it, you will have to destroy three waves of ships in space combat. After defeating three waves of spaceships, return to Commander Tuala, who will officially induct you into the UC Vanguard.
All Main UC Vanguard Quests in Starfield
Joining the UC Vanguard in Starfield opens up a bunch of missions that players can complete for rewards and experience points. In the grid below, we have compiled a list of all the missions (in order) and the rewards you will receive for completing them.
| Quest | Rewards |
|---|---|
| Supra Et Ultra | EXP: 275 Credits: 4800 |
| Grunt Work | UC Vanguard Spacesuit UC Vanguard Space Helmet UC Vanguard Pilot Pack EXP: 250 Credits: 4800 |
| Delivering Devils | EXP: 250 Credits: 9300 |
| Eyewitness | EXP: 350 Credits: 12000 |
| Friends Like These | EXP: 350 Credits: 12000 |
| The Devils You Know | EXP: 150 Credits: 3000 |
| War Relics | EXP: 250 Credits: 9300 |
| Hostile Intelligence | EXP: 350 Credits: 12000 |
| A Legacy Forged | EXP: 350 Credits: 15600 |
As you can tell from the rewards you receive, joining the UC Vanguard has many benefits. Outside of experience points and rewards, the story moments are also great. Some of the best story moments I experienced while playing Starfield were during the UC Vanguard questline.
