The universe of Starfield is vast and full of opportunities, and one of the most rewarding paths you can take is joining the United Colonies (UC) Vanguard. This dedicated volunteer fleet offers a thrilling storyline, unique rewards, and a chance to truly make your mark on the Settled Systems. But how exactly do you go about enlisting in this prestigious organization? Let's dive in with a step-by-step guide!
Embarking on Your UC Vanguard Journey: A Comprehensive Guide
Are you ready to defend the United Colonies and face down the greatest threats to humanity? Excellent! The UC Vanguard questline is an absolute must-play for any Starfield enthusiast. It offers gripping narrative, intense combat, and a genuine sense of purpose. So, let's get you signed up!
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| How To Start Vanguard Quest Starfield |
Step 1: Making First Contact – Locating Commander Tuala
The very first step to becoming a proud member of the UC Vanguard is to seek out Commander John Tuala. He's your initial point of contact and the gatekeeper to your future in the United Colonies.
Where to Find Him: Commander Tuala can be found in the MAST Lobby in New Atlantis, on the planet Jemison (Alpha Centauri system). New Atlantis is one of the game's major hub cities, so you'll likely have visited it early in your playthrough.
Getting to MAST:
Once you're in New Atlantis, the easiest way to reach the MAST District is by taking the NAT Tram.
Exit the tram at the MAST District stop.
The MAST building itself is a large, imposing structure directly above the NAT station. You can reach it by taking the ramps leading up and around, or by using the nearby elevator.
Initiating Dialogue: Walk into the MAST lobby, and you'll find Commander Tuala behind a desk, typically on the left side as you enter. Engage him in conversation and express your interest in joining the UC Vanguard. This will officially kick off the quest "Supra Et Ultra."
Step 2: The Enlistment Process – From Application to Orientation
Once you've spoken with Commander Tuala, your journey truly begins. He'll direct you to the formal enlistment procedures.
2.1. Formal Registration at the Terminal
Tip: A slow, careful read can save re-reading later.
Locating the Terminal: After your conversation, take the nearby elevator down to the Vanguard Orientation Hall.
Upon exiting the elevator, you'll immediately see a Vanguard Registration terminal. Interact with it.
The Enlistment Agreement: You'll be presented with the UC Vanguard Enlistment Agreement. Read it carefully (or skim it if you're eager to get to the action!). You must agree to the terms to proceed with your enrollment.
2.2. The Orientation Hall – A Glimpse into Vanguard History
Exploring the Exhibit: Once registered, head into the main Orientation Hall. This area is essentially a museum dedicated to the UC Vanguard's history.
You'll find ten interactive buttons scattered throughout the hall. Press all of them to learn about the Vanguard's past, its battles, and its heroes. While optional, exploring the entire hall and activating all the displays is often rewarded with Commander Tuala's approval later on. It also provides some fascinating lore!
Don't worry if the "Explore the Orientation Hall" objective doesn't immediately complete – sometimes it's more about pressing all the buttons than a specific exploration percentage.
Step 3: The Ultimate Test – The Piloting Simulator Exam
Now comes the fun part! The UC Vanguard isn't just about paperwork and history lessons; it's about proving your combat prowess.
Entering the Simulator: After the Orientation Hall, you'll be directed to the Vanguard Pilot Simulator in the Examination Chamber. Step into the cockpit.
The Challenge: Your task here is to defeat at least three waves (tiers) of enemy ships. This is your piloting exam.
You can continue beyond three tiers if you wish. There are a total of six tiers, and completing more will significantly impress Commander Tuala and potentially lead to better evaluations.
Tip for Success: If you fail a tier, don't despair! Simply get up from the cockpit and reset the tier at the nearby console.
Space Combat Tips for the Simulator:
Boost to Break Locks: When an enemy missile locks onto your ship, immediately use your boost to break the lock and evade the incoming projectile. This is crucial for survival.
Chase Down Evading Ships: Use your boost to catch up to enemy ships that try to flee.
Sharp Turns for Evasion: When an enemy ship flies past you, quickly reduce your speed to execute a sharp turn, then accelerate again once you're halfway through the turn. This allows you to get behind them.
Utilize Cover: In higher tiers, use large asteroids as cover to shield yourself from enemy fire and regain shields.
Prioritize Targets: Focus fire on one enemy ship at a time to take them down quickly.
Step 4: Swearing the Oath and Receiving Your First Mission
After successfully completing the piloting exam (and hopefully impressing Tuala!), you'll return to him for your evaluation.
Your Performance Review: Commander Tuala will debrief you on your performance in the simulator. If you completed all six tiers, he'll be extremely impressed and mention that you could earn your UC citizenship in a shorter timeframe.
Provisional Membership: Regardless of your score, you'll be granted provisional membership in the UC Vanguard.
The Oath: You will then swear an oath of commitment to the Vanguard and the United Colonies.
Your First Assignment: Tuala will immediately give you your first probationary mission, typically "Grunt Work." This mission serves as your practical initiation into the Vanguard.
Rewards: For completing "Supra Et Ultra," you'll receive a respectable amount of XP and credits.
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Step 5: Beyond the Initial Quest – The Path to Full Citizenship
"Grunt Work" is just the beginning. The UC Vanguard questline is one of Starfield's most engaging, delving into deep lore and significant threats to the Settled Systems.
Reminder: Take a short break if the post feels long.
Probationary Missions: You'll undertake a series of challenging missions that will test your skills in combat, investigation, and diplomacy. These missions often involve combating the terrifying Terrormorphs and uncovering dark secrets.
Gaining Citizenship: As you progress through the Vanguard questline and complete critical missions, you'll eventually earn full UC Citizenship. This comes with several perks, including access to a free penthouse apartment in New Atlantis.
Ongoing Opportunities: Even after completing the main Vanguard storyline, you'll have access to Vanguard mission boards from Commander Tuala, offering continuous opportunities for combat, bounty hunting, and cargo runs.
Benefits of Joining the UC Vanguard
Joining the UC Vanguard offers more than just a compelling story. Here are some of the key benefits:
Unique Questline: The Vanguard questline is widely considered one of the best in Starfield, with a well-paced narrative and memorable characters.
Exclusive Gear: You'll gain access to powerful Vanguard-themed weapons and ship components that are unavailable elsewhere. These often include excellent ballistic weapons, particle cannons, and sturdy shield generators.
UC Citizenship: A highly desirable perk that grants you a free penthouse apartment in New Atlantis and other minor benefits within United Colonies space.
Lore Expansion: The questline deeply explores the history and challenges of the United Colonies, providing a much richer understanding of Starfield's universe.
Ship Piloting Practice: The flight simulator is an excellent place to practice your ship combat skills and quickly rank up your piloting skill, even after completing the initial exam.
The UC Vanguard is a truly rewarding faction to join in Starfield. Don't hesitate to embark on this thrilling adventure!
10 Related FAQ Questions:
How to: Find Commander Tuala in Starfield?
You can find Commander John Tuala in the MAST lobby in New Atlantis, which is located in the MAST District. Take the NAT tram to the MAST District stop and head into the large MAST building.
How to: Pass the UC Vanguard piloting exam?
Tip: Take your time with each sentence.
To pass the piloting exam, you need to defeat at least three waves of enemy ships in the simulator. Focus on using your boost to dodge missiles, execute sharp turns to get behind enemies, and utilize asteroids for cover. You can restart waves if you fail.
How to: Earn UC Citizenship in Starfield?
You earn full UC Citizenship by completing the entire UC Vanguard questline, which begins with "Supra Et Ultra" and continues through a series of probationary missions.
How to: Get a free apartment in Starfield?
Upon earning full UC Citizenship by completing the UC Vanguard questline, you will be granted a free penthouse apartment in the Mercury Tower in New Atlantis' Residential District.
How to: Access the UC Vanguard mission board?
After completing the initial Vanguard questline, you can access new missions from the Vanguard mission board located near Commander Tuala in the MAST building, or at other UC Vanguard outposts.
Tip: Scroll slowly when the content gets detailed.
How to: Use the Vanguard flight simulator after the exam?
You can re-enter the Vanguard flight simulator at any time after your initial exam. It's a great way to practice ship combat, earn XP for your piloting skill, and test out new ship components.
How to: Join multiple factions in Starfield?
Yes, Starfield allows you to join multiple factions simultaneously without locking you out of other questlines, with the notable exception of the Crimson Fleet vs. UC SysDef storyline where you eventually have to pick a side. The UC Vanguard can be joined alongside others like the Freestar Rangers.
How to: Get Vanguard ship parts and weapons?
By progressing through the UC Vanguard questline, you will unlock access to exclusive Vanguard-specific ship components and weapons at UC shipyards and vendors.
How to: Start the "Grunt Work" quest in Starfield?
The "Grunt Work" quest is the first probationary mission you receive from Commander Tuala immediately after completing "Supra Et Ultra" and swearing your oath to the UC Vanguard.
How to: Increase your standing with the UC Vanguard?
Your standing with the UC Vanguard primarily increases by completing their main questline missions. Successfully passing the piloting exam with a high score and fully exploring the orientation hall can also contribute positively to your initial standing.
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