Starfield Friends Like These | Start with Ambassador Radcliff or Ambassador Bal’mor?

With the threat of the monstrous Terromorphs looming more than ever, it’s up to the player to convince House Va’ruun and the Freestar Collective to hand over their Archival Codes. During the Friends Like These quest in Starfield, you’re given a choice between starting with Ambassador Radcliff or Ambassador Bal’mor — so, which one should you choose? Read on to find out.

Should You Speak to Ambassador Radcliff or Ambassador Bal’mor First in Starfield?

When speaking to Deputy Elisabeth Macintyre for the first time, she’ll ask whether you want to know about “Ambassador Radcliff of the Freestar Collective” or “Ambassador Bal’mor of House Va’ruun.” To save you multiple trips, choose both dialogue options. Both ambassadors are in close proximity, and enquiring access to both embassies they’re stationed in is much faster.

Choosing to visit Ambassador Radcliff or Ambassador Bal’mor first has no consequence on the story, and you won’t miss out on any rewards by talking to one over the other.

Ambassador Radcliff is headstrong and won’t relinquish the Freestar’s Archival code without a bit of blackmail — or magnificent persuasion tactics. Bal’mor, on the other hand, is happy to give up his code if you can get past his legion of killer robots. Nothing is ever simple for a Vanguard Captain, am I right?

Related: How to Get Legendary Weapons and Armor in Starfield

How to Get Ambassador Radcliff’s Archival Code

Ambassador Radcliff is not a great fan of the UC, to say the least. Unless your persuasion is at a high enough Skill Level to sway her decision, we will have to resort to good ‘ol blackmail.

Once your failed negotiations have concluded with Radcliff, approach Cameron Long in the opposite room and talk some smack about his boss. You can either lie or bribe Cameron with 8,000 credits. My character has an aversion to lying, so I (stupidly) decided to go with the credit option.

Cameron will give you the Freestar Utility Access Key, which you need to use on the door in the meeting room. Make sure no guards see you, as you’ll spend a few days in jail and get XP deducted — like I did. Don’t make my mistake; invest at least one Skill Point into Stealth. It’s instrumental throughout the entirety of Starfield.

Crawl through the vent, enter Radcliff’s quarters, and activate the listening device hidden in your plant pot. Return to her office and confront her to grab the Freestar’s Archival Code.

How to Get Ambassador Bal’mor’s Archival Code

In the House of Va’runn Embassy, you’re up against killer robots and security turrets. They aren’t difficult to fight, but make sure to bring a weapon or two and stock up on plenty of ammo.

The waypoints will guide you through the floral maze that is the Va’ruun Embassy, leading you to the power breakers you need to switch off throughout. Eventually, you’ll reach the dutiful hermit Ambassador Bal’mor. He asks for nothing but your kindness and a promise in return for House Va’ruun’s Archival code.

With both codes in hand, return to Deputy Elisabeth Macintyre and continue your quest to save the universe and acquire UC citizenship. Don’t forget to drop by New Atlantis’ Trade Authority kiosk while you’re there.

This guide was written while playing Starfield on Xbox Series X.