What is your favorite faction?

[nelvus]

Each faction leader has their own personality, history and beliefs, all interesting in their own right (many are revealed throughout the in-game quotes/cutscenes).

I have enjoyed some factions more than others, but I always find myself picking Deirdre Skye of the Gaians most of the time. The factions bonuses are a bit lackluster, especially when compared to other factions like the University, but what stood out for me was her personality and her background.

She wasn't just a tree hugging fanatic, she was a brilliant scientist with a Ph.D. in Biology and Genetics. She makes her decisions rationally based on scientific knowledge, but also displays compassion for others, as before being selected for the mission, she was part of the Red Cross and the United Nations Disaster Relief Fund.
She developed various plant strains which played a big role in revitalizing radiation contaminated areas. Because she was so talented, she was appointed as Chief Xenobiologist on the Unity, against the wishes of the Chief Science Officer, Prokhor Zakharov.
https://alphacentauri2.info/official/Profile%20Lady%20Deirdre%20Skye.htm

Probably her best faction bonus is the fact that her planet rating is higher at the start, making it a easier to capture mind worms, potentially allowing you to get a pretty strong army in the early game.
I also like how, based on her secret project quotes (as well as her environmental roots), she has the closest connection to Planet, and it's not far fetched to think that she's most likely to be the first one to reach transcendence.

Then, there is her voiceover. There's something serene, almost hypnotic about her voice. Her voice actress did a really amazing job.

[G.O.A.T]

University. Say no more fam.

[Sishiya]

Among the original gang, I vacillate between the Gaians and University, with a pinch of Morganites.

Among the Xfire folks, I have to go with Pirates. They're so deliciously broken which makes them perfect for when I want to just roflstomp against the computer.

[Dracinos]

I was always a huge science and research nerd so I usually went with University. The path to survival on a dangerous planet is knowledge and occasionally tasting the fungus. Otherwise it was often the Morganites. Pay your engineers well and turn create miracles from credits.

[WotanAnubis]

Gaia's Stepdaughters, no question. Their primary ethos of 'hey, we screwed up Old Earth, let's try not doing that again' really speaks to me.

For the expansion, probably the Cybernetic Consciousness. The Data Angels are cool and all, anarchist hackers and all that, but the Consciousness are a collective of cyborgs and cyborgs are cooler than hackers.

[SlasH]

Human Hive

[grodysattva]

The Hive are very powerful, especially unmodded. Against human players, Gaia's hard to beat. My favorite faction are the Data Angels, because while they are a massive gimmick, turning an opposing army around is hell of fun.

[DadNinja]

Morgan is a steamroller once you get a few cities up.

[DadNinja]

Origineel geplaatst door Sishiya:

Among the original gang, I vacillate between the Gaians and University, with a pinch of Morganites.

Among the Xfire folks, I have to go with Pirates. They're so deliciously broken which makes them perfect for when I want to just roflstomp against the computer.

Pirates are a blast....way overpowered start. Sail around with an emptly transport and you'll have a literal boatload of artifacts in no time.

[ROE]

University or Gaia. Honorable mention to Spartans.

[g0815krieger]

Definately Gaia

[LORD CHAOS]

University

[ParabolaWaVe]

I actually don't like any of them... and that's the genius with this game, in my opinion.

The factions all represent an aspect or trend of our modern society... which can be part of something positive and good as long as they're connected with something else. But, fragmented and in isolation (or in excess), as is the case with the factions in Alpha Centauri... the same trends, in this "pure" form, do become a sort of social evil. That ambiguity is a big part of the game's appeal to me.

[Sishiya]

Origineel geplaatst door ParabolaWaVe:

I actually don't like any of them... and that's the genius with this game, in my opinion.

The factions all represent an aspect or trend of our modern society... which can be part of something positive and good as long as they're connected with something else. But, fragmented and in isolation (or in excess), as is the case with the factions in Alpha Centauri... the same trends, in this "pure" form, do become a sort of social evil. That ambiguity is a big part of the game's appeal to me.

Yeah, okay, but which faction do you enjoy playing the game as? Or do you really just go "Random" each time?

[Jean-Maurice Nya]

Base game:
1. Hive
2. Gaian
3. Spartan

Crossfire:
1. Nautilus
2. Angels
3. Caretakers

But for a long time now I go full random because I just love all of them.

[Amanoob105]

Origineel geplaatst door ParabolaWaVe:

I actually don't like any of them... and that's the genius with this game, in my opinion.

The factions all represent an aspect or trend of our modern society... which can be part of something positive and good as long as they're connected with something else. But, fragmented and in isolation (or in excess), as is the case with the factions in Alpha Centauri... the same trends, in this "pure" form, do become a sort of social evil. That ambiguity is a big part of the game's appeal to me.

I don't disagree with this, but....

University is still the best.