us or crimson?

[vamp008]

whats the best choice?

[PocketYoda]

Save before and try both?

[fauxpas]

UC ... not for the plot (although if you care about Constellation's people and goals helping the UC is probably the right choice) but simply because having the Crimson Fleet be friendly to you messes up the flow of clearing dungeons.

[ImHelping]

Gameplay wise, UC.

Following the trends set by New Vegas. All you get for siding with drug addicted civilian stalkers is lying to yourself "But... but I proved I hate cops/fascists!" while handicapping your gameplay.

Killing pirates is infinitely more profitable and frequent than artificially poor space truckers if you even find them to jump. Even if you ignore bounty costs.

Smuggling "missions" are a joke, and that is driven home by the fact pirates won't touch a stolen ship unless you pay the government to register it first.

"Here is a ship I stole."
"But it is STOLEN! That would be a crime!"
"Okay, add shielded cargo bays to it."
"Hello, STOLEN!"

So, only side with the pirates if you are willing to sabotage a good chunk of your moment to moment persistent content, in exchange for "But I feel like having an official pirate sticker."

[Chip Patton]

Originally posted by vamp008:

whats the best choice?

UC is the best not unless you want your world to be wrought with piracy.

[ShaftZilla86]

UC is the "good" choice but Crimson fleet is the "smart" choice.

Crimson fleet has better vendors on the Key if you are looking for trading opportunities.

Either way you get the same reward for mission completion, so in that respect it only really comes down to personal preference or moral alignment.

[Sprocket66]

CF is the better storyline during the missions. UC has the better bounty board after. There is only the final mission where you choose that's different. Hunting CF is more profitable long term.

If you plan to jump to ng+ pretty quickly then the rats are more fun. If you are going for a long term play through then UC offers more. I'd do both at least once. I did a good guy game the first run then did a bad guy / pirate run the second time.

[Old Man Gamer (OMG)]

I like the UC crew. The first mate's story is cool. Getting her the evidence is very rewarding as well. The big guy is awesome as well.

[Old Man Gamer (OMG)]

Originally posted by Sprocket66:

CF is the better storyline during the missions. UC has the better bounty board after. There is only the final mission where you choose that's different. Hunting CF is more profitable long term.

If you plan to jump to ng+ pretty quickly then the rats are more fun. If you are going for a long term play through then UC offers more. I'd do both at least once. I did a good guy game the first run then did a bad guy / pirate run the second time.

I would be more inclined to help the UC if Naeva was not so insufferable. I cannot stand that NPC at all.

[Krash Megiddo]

Originally posted by fauxpas:

UC ... not for the plot (although if you care about Constellation's people and goals helping the UC is probably the right choice) but simply because having the Crimson Fleet be friendly to you messes up the flow of clearing dungeons.

I just completed this set of undercover missions. This^ is exactly why I chose the U.C.

[Akkarin]

I prefer crimson fleet, half a dozen or so shops in the same room that will buy anything.
Its the best hub to sell things at.

[Hominin]

i joined the pirates simply because of the way UC SysDef tried to recruit me. might ignore both next playthrough. you do gain access to some useful ship equipment and a fat paycheck at the end of their main quest but:

Originally posted by fauxpas:

having the Crimson Fleet be friendly to you messes up the flow of clearing dungeons.

and it is even worse for bounty hunting.

just stay enemies with both for best results :)

[Old Man Gamer (OMG)]

Originally posted by ShaftZilla86:

UC is the "good" choice but Crimson fleet is the "smart" choice.

Crimson fleet has better vendors on the Key if you are looking for trading opportunities.

Either way you get the same reward for mission completion, so in that respect it only really comes down to personal preference or moral alignment.

Sadly, choosing the Fleet can also break several quests.

[Djozar]

My first time, I was playing a "good guy" character. So I chose the UC. "Good Guy" became a questionable title and pursuit. Suddenly, I'm a rat. A snitch. A spy. One thing goes wrong, you're toast. Plus, at the end, you get a meager little paycheck and a "thanks for playing, kid!" slap on the back. Not to mention the UC now have The Key locked off to all traffic, meaning no ship parts or sales from that spot anymore!
2nd playthrough, I'm trying Crimson Fleet. SysDef is already my enemy because I told them no. Thankfully, it doesn't interfere with the other UC quests. I'm just going around finding gear and resources before I go find Naeva and see if they treat me better. They did when I got kicked out of SysDef the first time! Gave me a fat paycheck!!

[Ivanark]

I'm getting close. If I pick fleet, do I end up hostile to UC or just sysdef?I'm guessing sysdef.

Does constellation kick you out if you choose fleet?

[Old Man Gamer (OMG)]

Originally posted by Ivanark:

I'm getting close. If I pick fleet, do I end up hostile to UC or just sysdef?I'm guessing sysdef.

Does constellation kick you out if you choose fleet?

No, but the members will each want to talk to you to share their feelings on the matter.