Hey there, spacefarer! Are you ready to embark on an epic journey that will immerse you in the heart of the United Colonies and uncover some of Starfield's deepest secrets? If you're looking to serve with honor, fight terrifying alien threats, and potentially earn yourself a swanky penthouse in New Atlantis, then joining the UC Vanguard is definitely for you!
This comprehensive guide will walk you through every single step, from your initial enlistment to becoming a decorated citizen of the United Colonies. So, grab your pilot's license, prepare for some intense combat, and let's get started!
Step 1: The Call to Duty - Finding Commander Tuala
Ready to make your mark on the Settled Systems? Your first mission, before even officially joining, is to locate the man who can make it all happen: Commander John Tuala.
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| How To Start Uc Vanguard Questline |
Sub-heading: Where to find Commander Tuala
- Location: You'll find Commander Tuala in the MAST District Lobby in New Atlantis, located on the planet Jemison in the Alpha Centauri System.
- How to get there:
- If you're fresh out of the tutorial, you'll naturally be led to New Atlantis as part of the main story quest, "The Old Neighborhood," where Sarah Morgan will introduce you to him. This is the easiest way to stumble upon the opportunity.
- If you've already progressed past that, simply fast-travel to New Atlantis. Once there, take the NAT tram to the MAST District.
- Upon exiting the tram, look for the imposing, tall building – that's the MAST building. Tuala will be behind a desk on the left side of the lobby as you enter. You might even see him addressing some new recruits outside.
Sub-heading: Initiating the Conversation
- Speak to him: Approach Commander Tuala and engage him in conversation. He'll usually be quite enthusiastic about recruiting new blood into the Vanguard.
- The option to join: During the dialogue, he will explicitly offer you the chance to register for the UC Vanguard. Accept his invitation! This will kick off your first official Vanguard mission: "Supra Et Ultra."
Step 2: Supra Et Ultra - Orientation and Examination
Now that you've expressed your interest, it's time to prove your worth! "Supra Et Ultra" is your probationary period, where you'll learn about the Vanguard and demonstrate your piloting prowess.
QuickTip: A short pause boosts comprehension.
Sub-heading: The Vanguard Orientation Hall
- Navigate to the Hall: After speaking with Commander Tuala, head to the nearby elevator in the MAST lobby. Select the option to go down to the "Vanguard Orientation Hall."
- Registration Terminal: As you exit the elevator, you'll see a Vanguard Registration Terminal. Interact with it and sign up. Make sure you read through the enlistment agreement – it's a good way to get some lore! Important: You must not have any active UC bounties to register! If you do, find a Bounty Self-Service Kiosk (like the one near the Viewport in the spaceport) and clear them.
- Explore the History: Once registered, enter the Orientation Hall itself. This area is packed with historical exhibits, dioramas, and terminals detailing the United Colonies' past, the Colony War, and the origins of the Vanguard. There are ten buttons to press throughout this hall. It's highly recommended you press all of them! Not only does it provide fascinating backstory, but Commander Tuala will be very impressed with your diligence, potentially leading to better rewards later. While the optional objective "Explore the Orientation Hall" might not officially complete, don't worry, your efforts are noted.
Sub-heading: The Piloting Simulator Exam
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Head to the Exam Room: Continue through the Orientation Hall until you reach the Exam Room. You'll see two piloting simulators.
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Speak to Exam Proctor Samuelson: Talk to the Proctor to understand the rules of the exam. Your goal is to defeat at least three waves (tiers) of enemy ships in the simulator.
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The Simulator Challenge:
- Tier 1-3: These are your required waves. Successfully destroying the enemy ships will grant you a passing grade.
- Tier 4-6 (Optional, but Recommended!): You can continue fighting beyond the third wave. Completing all six tiers will significantly impress Commander Tuala and can reduce the time it takes to earn full UC Citizenship. If you fail a tier, don't worry, you can reset it at the nearby console.
- Combat Tips for Success:
- Boost! If an enemy missile locks onto you, boost immediately to break the lock. Boosting is also great for catching up to fast enemies.
- Tight Turns: When an enemy overshoots you, reduce your speed quickly to make a sharp turn, then re-accelerate once you're in a good position.
- Use Cover: Asteroids aren't just for show! Use them to break enemy line of sight and gain a tactical advantage, especially in later tiers.
- Power Management: Don't forget to manage your ship's power distribution. Shift power to shields when taking heavy fire, to engines for speed, and to weapons for maximum damage output.
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Return to Tuala: Once you've completed your desired number of tiers (at least three!), exit the simulator and take the elevator back up to the MAST Lobby to report your scores to Commander Tuala. He'll formally initiate you into the UC Vanguard and give you your first probationary mission, along with some credits and XP!
Step 3: Probationary Missions - Proving Your Mettle
After your successful enlistment, Commander Tuala will assign you your first real tasks. These missions are crucial for demonstrating your commitment and capabilities to the UC Vanguard.
Sub-heading: Grunt Work
- Your First Assignment: Tuala will direct you to Crew Chief Hearth in the New Atlantis spaceport. Speak with Hearth to receive your first probationary mission, "Grunt Work."
- What to Expect: This mission will likely involve a fairly straightforward task, such as clearing out a small pirate outpost or delivering cargo. It's designed to get you accustomed to UC Vanguard operations.
- Rewards: Upon completion, you'll receive valuable XP, credits, and the initial UC Vanguard Pilot Pack, Spacesuit, and Space Helmet – a nice upgrade for your early game gear!
Sub-heading: Delivering Devils (and beyond!)
- Continuing the Questline: Once "Grunt Work" is done, you'll continue with "Delivering Devils," and then a series of increasingly complex and engaging missions:
- Eyewitness: This mission involves investigating strange occurrences and will introduce you to the terrifying Terrormorphs. Be prepared for combat! It's a good idea to have a decent EM weapon, as they are vulnerable to them.
- Friends Like These: You'll delve deeper into political intrigue and meet important figures.
- The Devils You Know: More Terrormorph encounters and uncovering disturbing truths.
- War Relics: A unique mission that involves some historical exploration and combat.
- Hostile Intelligence: The plot thickens as you uncover the full scope of the Terrormorph threat and the secrets surrounding them. You'll get the powerful Antixeno armor and X-989 Microgun during an optional activity in this quest – don't miss it!
Sub-heading: Important Considerations During Missions
- Save Frequently: Starfield can have some bugs, and faction questlines are no exception. Save before starting each major quest to avoid losing progress if you encounter an issue.
- Companion Affinity: Some choices you make, especially in later quests like "Eyewitness" and the final "A Legacy Forged," might affect your companions' affinity. If you have a specific companion you want to keep happy, consider dismissing them before making major decisions if you think they might disapprove.
- Terrormorphs are Dangerous: These alien creatures are formidable. Ensure your weapons and skills are up to the task. EM weapons are particularly effective.
Step 4: A Legacy Forged - The Climax and Your Citizenship
The final mission in the UC Vanguard questline, "A Legacy Forged," brings all your efforts to a head. You'll confront shocking revelations and make decisions that shape the future of the United Colonies.
Sub-heading: Unveiling the Truth
- Confronting Vae Victis: You'll discover the truth about Vae Victis's involvement in the Terrormorph attacks. You'll have the opportunity to confront him in Subsection Seven of the MAST Building. He'll try to persuade you to keep his secrets.
- Addressing the Cabinet: You will then address the UC Cabinet, led by President Abello. This is where your major choices come into play.
Sub-heading: Key Decisions and Their Impact
- Vae Victis's Fate:
- Expose him: If you reveal Vae Victis's actions, he will be executed or permanently removed. This is the more morally upright choice.
- Keep his secret: If you agree to blame Orlase instead, Vae Victis will retain his position and even offer you additional quests after the questline is complete. This offers more content but is a morally ambiguous choice. Hadrian will be furious if you keep his secret from her and reveal it to the Cabinet yourself.
- Terrormorph Solution: You'll also need to decide how the United Colonies will deal with the Terrormorph threat:
- Aceles: This biological solution introduces a natural predator to control Terrormorph populations.
- Microbe: This involves a chemical warfare approach to eliminate Terrormorphs.
- The rewards for either choice are essentially the same, but your companion's affinity might be affected. Sarah and Barrett generally prefer the Microbe option.
Sub-heading: Earning Your Citizenship and Rewards
- Class One UC Citizenship: Regardless of your choices during the Cabinet meeting, your dedication and service will be recognized. You will be granted Class One UC Citizenship, a highly prestigious achievement. This is the primary long-term reward of the questline.
- New Atlantis Penthouse: As a newly minted Class One Citizen, you'll be directed to Aphelion Realty (just outside the MAST Building) to claim your very own premium penthouse apartment in New Atlantis! This is a fantastic player home with a stunning view of the city, and it's fully customizable.
- Credits and XP: You'll receive a substantial amount of credits and XP for completing "A Legacy Forged." Commander Tuala will also provide additional credits.
- Ongoing Opportunities: Even after completing the main questline, Commander Tuala (and potentially Vae Victis, if you spared him) will have additional missions and activities for you to undertake, allowing you to continue serving the UC.
Congratulations, Citizen!
You've successfully navigated the rigorous path to becoming a proud member of the UC Vanguard and a citizen of the United Colonies. Enjoy your new status, your penthouse, and the satisfaction of knowing you've made a significant impact on the Settled Systems!
Tip: Stop when confused — clarity comes with patience.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How to start the UC Vanguard questline?
You start the UC Vanguard questline by speaking with Commander John Tuala in the MAST District Lobby of New Atlantis. He can be found behind a desk on the left side as you enter the building.
How to get to Commander Tuala in Starfield?
Take the NAT tram to the MAST District in New Atlantis. Once off the tram, the large MAST building is directly ahead. Commander Tuala is inside, on the left side of the main lobby.
How to pass the UC Vanguard piloting exam easily?
Focus on boosting to avoid incoming missiles and quickly reducing speed to make sharp turns when enemies pass you. Utilizing asteroids for cover is also a great tactic. Completing at least three waves is sufficient to pass.
Tip: Reading twice doubles clarity.
How to get UC Citizenship in Starfield?
To get UC Citizenship, you must complete the entire UC Vanguard questline, culminating in the "A Legacy Forged" mission. Upon completion, you will be granted Class One UC Citizenship.
How to get the New Atlantis Penthouse in Starfield?
The New Atlantis Penthouse is a reward for completing the UC Vanguard questline and earning Class One UC Citizenship. After the final mission, you'll be directed to Aphelion Realty to claim it.
How to get the Antixeno armor and X-989 Microgun?
You obtain the Antixeno armor and X-989 Microgun during an optional activity within the "Hostile Intelligence" quest, which is part of the UC Vanguard questline. Make sure to follow all objectives in that mission.
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How to deal with Terrormorphs effectively in Starfield?
Terrormorphs are vulnerable to EM (Electromagnetic) weapons. Using these weapons, along with powerful ballistic or energy weapons, and utilizing boost packs for mobility, will help you defeat them.
How to ensure a good outcome with Commander Tuala?
To ensure Commander Tuala is impressed, make sure to press all ten buttons in the Vanguard Orientation Hall during the "Supra Et Ultra" quest, and try to complete all six tiers of the piloting simulator exam.
How to replay UC Vanguard missions?
Once completed, the main UC Vanguard questline cannot be replayed on the same character. However, you can start a new game (New Game+) to experience it again or take on repeatable Vanguard radiant quests from Tuala.
How to keep Vae Victis alive in Starfield?
During the "A Legacy Forged" quest, when addressing the UC Cabinet, choose to keep Vae Victis's involvement a secret and blame Orlase instead. He will then offer you additional missions after the questline.
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