How to Join the UC Vanguard

If one recently began their journey through the cosmos in Starfield, they might be wondering how to join the UC Vanguard. Look no further; this guide will show you the exact steps to pledge allegiance to Captain Tuala’s faction.

The process isn’t complicated but will require both will and skill on your part But worry not, as we will be starting from square one.

A TL;DR on Starfield Factions

With Shattered Space fast approaching, people are confused if they need to complete the game’s main campaign before playing it. While you will find the answer in the guide, Factions in Starfield will always be relevant.

Just like other Bethesda games, Starfield allows players to join factions. Factions are exactly how they sound, one pledges allegiance to them and finds not only a sense of belonging within the vast world of Bethesda’s latest but also storylines peculiar to each faction.

The player’s actions while they are part of a faction will have a profound impact on the faction storyline, and there will be tough choices that need to be made when one decides to be part of a faction.

The UC Vanguard is one of the five factions that space explorers in Starfield can join namely: Constellation, Ryujin Industries, UC Vanguard, Freestar Rangers, and, Crimson Fleet.

If one is wondering if they can join multiple factions, they can. However, as one progresses through a faction’s questline, it might come in the way of duties allocated by another.

For example, The UC Vanguard is a department of the United Colonies and a branch of the UC Navy that aims to uproot the Crimson Fleet. Naturally, if a player were to join both the Crimson Fleet and the UC Vanguard, there would be a clash in duties which might lead to unfavorable consequences.

How to Join the UC Vanguard in Starfield

After you naturally join Constellation in the Starfield‘s first mission, choosing to have Sarah as your companion will lead her to tell you about a contact of hers. She will also say that the contact will be found at MAST and that you would have to proceed to the Vanguard recruiting office.

Follow Sarah’s lead and head to the cyan-colored objective as she tells you to take a stroll through New Atlantis. As you move toward the objective you will soon encounter Commander John Tuala.

Select the appropriate dialogue choice as shown in the image below. You will then be required to head to the orientation hall and get signed up at the registration terminal.

Once you are done with the dialogue, turn around, and head to the cyan-colored objective marker which will take you to an elevator. Enter and then select the ‘Vanguard Orientation Hall’, you will see an objective marker on the left of the correct option.

The elevator will take you to the Recruit Registration Terminal. Walk to the computer on the terminal and press the required key on your keyboard or controller to interact with it.

You will then be asked if you agree to the Enlistment Agreement. Select the topmost option to confirm your agreement. You should then (ideally) proceed to the orientation hall by turning around and entering the door. Keep true and interact with the historical displays as you please.

As you reach the end of the hallway with the massive earth model (in the image below) there will be an open entrance to a hall where the words ‘New Factions Rise’ will be written, move towards it.

Once again, interact with the buttons in front of the display if you wish to know about the UC Vanguard’s rich legacy. Keep true and make your way through the displays and as you reach the end, you will see the entrance to ‘MAST Vanguard Pilor Simulator’. Enter it and interact with the keypad to trigger a loading screen.

Keep true and get to the door in front of you. Walk straight ahead until you see two adjacent staircases. Take the one on your left and you shall be guided to the right simulator (also marked by the objective).

Talk to the Proctor if you wish and ask any questions but do not select the ‘Piloting isn’t my area of expertise…” dialogue option. The UC Vanguard is an incredibly professional organization and any attempts to mar its discipline won’t leave a good impression on the proctor.

Head to the simulator and press the key you see on your screen to enter it. Sit on the pilot seat by pressing the key you are prompted to. The Proctor will brief you about your mission to deal with at least three tiers of enemies to pass the exam. Defeating more tiers will decrease your time to earn the UC Citizenship and increase your enlistment bonus.

Dodge enemy missile lock-on, and land multiple successful hits to defeat three tiers. You may choose to stay back and try your hand at the remaining tiers or may exit as defeating three tiers is the passing threshold for the Pilot exam.

Once done, exit the pilot seat and the hatch to make your way to the proctor. Move to the objective marker and enter the ‘MAST Vanguard Pilot Simulator’ entrance and this time select the ‘Lobby / Commander Tuala’s Office’ option from the keypad.

Talk to Commander Tuala and select the ‘I wrapped up my Piloting Exam…’ dialogue option. Then select the ‘Sir, Yes Sir’ dialogue option, here Commander Tuala will commend you if hit every mural in the orientation hall.

Wait for the dialogue to get over and select the ‘I’m Ready’ dialogue option when prompted. Follow Commander Tuala and choose the ‘I do.’ potion to complete the oath-taking.

Congratulations as you are now a provisional member of the UC Vanguard. You will receive your probationary mission that needs to be completed to fortify your membership.

With Starfield‘s expansion dropping soon, many players are going back to the game and if you are seeking more Starfield help, make sure to check our other Starfield guides.

While it would be difficult for Starfield to pull a No Man’s Sky, are you optimistic about its Shattered Space expansion? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!