Of course! Let's dive into the fascinating details of the UC Vanguard Exam in Starfield. It's a crucial step for any aspiring citizen of the United Colonies, and knowing the ins and outs of the "grading" system is key to making the most of your experience.
So, you want to join the UC Vanguard? Let's take the first step together!
Have you ever dreamed of piloting a starship, defending humanity from alien threats, and earning your place among the elite? Well, the UC Vanguard offers you that chance. But first, you must prove your worth in the piloting simulator. Don't worry, it's not a typical test with a pass or fail grade. Instead, it's more of a performance evaluation that determines your standing within the Vanguard. So, are you ready to see what you're made of? Let's get started.
Step 1: The Piloting Simulation - It's Not a Pass/Fail Test, It's a Performance Review!
Forget what you know about traditional exams. The Vanguard exam isn't graded with a simple A, B, or C. Instead, your performance is measured by the number of tiers, or waves of enemy ships, you successfully defeat. You'll be tasked with taking on a series of progressively more challenging simulated combat scenarios.
Passing the Exam: To officially "pass" the exam and continue the UC Vanguard questline, you only need to complete the first three tiers. This is the bare minimum required to enlist as a provisional member.
Going Above and Beyond: The real "grading" comes from how many tiers you complete beyond the initial three. The simulator has a total of six tiers. The more tiers you clear, the more impressed Commander Tuala will be with your piloting skills, which has a direct impact on your rewards and reputation.
Step 2: Understanding the Tier-Based Progression
Each tier in the piloting simulation introduces a new challenge. It's not just about destroying ships; it's about managing your ship's systems, using your weapons effectively, and mastering space combat maneuvers.
Tier 1: This is your introductory phase. You'll face a single, relatively weak enemy ship. It's a great opportunity to get a feel for the controls and weapon systems of the simulator's ship.
Tier 2: The difficulty increases slightly as you face two opponents, one of which is still fairly weak. This tier forces you to start thinking about target prioritization and managing multiple threats.
Tier 3: The "Passing" Tier. You'll face a small group of enemies. Successfully defeating them will allow you to exit the simulator and report your results to Commander Tuala, officially passing the exam.
Tier 4-6: The "Elite" Tiers. This is where the difficulty ramps up significantly. The enemies become more numerous, their ships are more powerful, and they are far more aggressive. These tiers are designed to challenge even experienced pilots. Completing these tiers is a mark of true skill and will lead to greater rewards.
Pro-Tip: Don't underestimate the power of your ship's systems! Diverting power to your shields, engines, and weapons is crucial for success, especially in the higher tiers.
Step 3: The "Cheating" Method for a Top Score
Did you know there's a way to "cheat" the system and make the exam much easier? It's a fun little secret that Bethesda included, and it's a great way to guarantee you ace all six tiers.
Locate the Debug Terminal: After you sit in the pilot's seat for the first time but before you start the simulation, get up from the chair. Go to the back of the simulator's cockpit and you'll find a computer terminal.
Access the Admin Controls: You can either pick the Advanced-level lock on the "Authorized Users Only" section of the terminal (requires at least one rank in the Security skill) or find the keycard.
Activate the Upgrades: Once you're in, you can activate several debug modes, including:
Infinite Upgrades: This is the big one. It allows your ship upgrades to persist between tiers, giving you a huge advantage.
Generate Debug Ally: You can spawn a friendly ship to help you in combat.
Shield Upgrade and Damage Upgrade bonuses.
Using these debug tools is completely optional, but it's a guaranteed way to see what happens when you complete all six tiers.
Step 4: Reporting Your Results and Reaping the Rewards
Once you've finished your simulation, whether you cleared three tiers or all six, you need to head back to Commander Tuala in the MAST building lobby. Your performance in the simulator will directly influence his reaction and the rewards you receive.
Completing 3 Tiers: Tuala will congratulate you on a passing score and welcome you as a provisional member. You'll still get a decent reward and your first probationary mission.
Completing 6 Tiers: Tuala will be thoroughly impressed! He'll praise your exceptional piloting skills and tell you that you could be eligible for UC citizenship in just three years, as opposed to the standard ten. You will also receive a significantly larger credit reward, which can be a huge boost early in the game.
Related FAQ Questions
Here are some quick answers to common questions about the UC Vanguard exam:
How to get infinite upgrades in the Vanguard exam? To get infinite upgrades, you need to access the debug terminal behind the pilot's seat in the simulator. You can either use a Digipick to bypass the Advanced lock or find the keycard nearby to unlock the "Authorized Users Only" section.
How to find the debug ally in the Vanguard exam? You can "Generate Ally" from the debug terminal in the simulator's cockpit. This will spawn a friendly ship to assist you in combat.
How to beat Tier 6 of the Vanguard exam without cheats? Beating Tier 6 without cheats is a huge challenge. Focus on a strong power distribution (max out shields and weapons), use your boost to dodge missiles, and master the "boost-turn" maneuver to quickly get behind enemy ships. Utilize the asteroids for cover and use your ship repair kits wisely.
How to get a higher score in the Vanguard exam? Your "score" is simply the number of tiers you complete. To get a higher score, keep fighting after you complete Tier 3 and try to clear as many of the six tiers as you can.
How to find the Vanguard Orientation Hall? After registering with Commander Tuala in the MAST building, take the elevator in the lobby down to the "Vanguard Orientation Hall."
How to get the best rewards from the Vanguard exam? To get the best rewards, you must complete all six tiers of the piloting simulation. This will impress Commander Tuala and grant you a substantial credit bonus.
How to increase my piloting skill during the exam? The simulator is an excellent way to level up your Piloting and Ship-related skills. As you destroy enemy ships, you'll complete skill challenges and earn experience points, allowing you to rank up your skills.
How to reset the Vanguard exam tiers? If you fail a tier, you can reset it by getting out of the pilot seat and interacting with the nearby console. You can try the tiers as many times as you like.
How to join the UC Vanguard? To join the UC Vanguard, you need to go to the MAST building in New Atlantis on Jemison and speak with Commander Tuala, who is located at the front desk.
How to get UC Citizenship quickly? While you'll still need to complete the full Vanguard questline to earn citizenship, acing the piloting exam by completing all six tiers will reduce the time it takes to be eligible for citizenship from 10 years to just 3 in the game's timeline.
