where to start

[HunterAnubis]

So theres like 10 starts what should I pick? Does that affect the universe if I decide to just do my thing and if then how. Thanks

[madpraxis]

Some of them give you a mission chain that you can't get out of that start. Other then that, it influences where you start, who likes you and doesn't like you. But other then like, I think literally 3 different small mission chains from specific starts, you get everything from everyone. If they like you.

[Tin Pony]

You can build or damage your reputation with other factions no matter which start you choose, so there shouldn't be a major negative to any of them.

You have ten slots for game saves that can be overwritten if you choose. I'd suggest taking the time to try each of the ten options to see how you feel about them after say, ten hours of gameplay (each).

Once you find one that draws you in, it's easier to continue that start and commit to playing it for hundreds or thousands of hours, without that nagging doubt that one of the others would be "better".

[HunterAnubis]

so all of those starts have DLCs turned on or only the DLC named starts?

[madpraxis]

If you own it, it's in there. No matter the start. The DLC's just give you more start options, and open their area up in general

[Drysyn]

I love young gun start even though you start with pretty much nothing (with just 10k and a small ship), It is easy as you start in a safe place and can very easily mine a few crystals to buy a Drill (Mineral) ship to get your economy started :)

[facciola007]

Originally posted by HunterAnubis:

So theres like 10 starts what should I pick? Does that affect the universe if I decide to just do my thing and if then how. Thanks

Pick any, if you string it along enough you can always restart anyways! :)

[Belteguesian]

Each start has it's pros and cons. There are two starts (those of the Cradle of Humanity DLC) that have a different method of acquiring the Player HQ than all the rest...

I'd suggest leave these two and the Split ones the (hardest by miles) for when you are sure you know what you are doing and start any other you fancy.

[lefty1117]

I actually like the Terran Cadet quite a bit. Probably my favorite. yeah it's guided, but you don't have to do all of the missions right away. Doing them will get you some ships as you go though, and you'll still intersect with the major game points like the PHQ, but from the Terran perspective. In fact I quite like how they handled the PHQ, it's a different quest line for the different starts. It would be nice though to have an option to nto include the PHQ, but then I'm not sure how you'd do the research stuff for unlocks, don't think there's another way.

[Zloth]

Everyone can do those, Lefty. They have to get the Terrans to be friendly, though, while the Terran Cadet steps through to it more seamlessly.

Egosoft has more detail on the starts here: https://www.egosoft.com:8444/confluence/display/X4WIKI/Starting+Scenarios

• Young Gun - start with a small, weak fighter craft as an Argon (human).
  
• The Dedicated Warrior - basically the same as Young Gun, but you start as a Paranid, which have fewer enemies. Both these first two starts are good for the folks looking to shoot stuff up ASAP.
  
• Untested Explorer - much like Young Gun, but you start with a scout ship. Your race is Argon but I'm pretty sure you start in the Alliance of the Word, which is only enemies with the Kha'ak and Xenon. This is a great start to do if you want to start off doing a lot of exploring.
  
• (Split DLC) Spear of the Patriarch. You're a Split Zyarth with a small, not quite so weak fighter craft who just finished helping smash another faction within the Split. You then get a very long term quest to take over some sectors? I forget exactly what it wants.
  
• (Split DLC) Fires of Defeat. You're a Split Free Family and you just got your ship blown up by a bunch of Zyarth Split, so you're starting in just a space suit! A nice Split pops by before you suffocate and gives you a small scout. This also gets a long term quest asking you to defeat the fleet that just blew you up. (Again, I'm fuzzy on the details.)
  
• (Cradle DLC) Terran Cadet gives you a small fighter, much like Young Gun. However, it also gives you a set of missions to do at the start of the game. The Terrans aren't all that well liked, so you'll have to do a little convincing if you want to show other factions that you are willing to help them.
  
• (Cradle DLC) Project Genesis starts as a Terran, too, but part of the Pioneer faction, which is much better regarded. You start in a scout, too, making this appear similar to the Untested Explorer start. However, like the Terran Cadet, you get some small missions right off the bat. Instead of battle-oriented missions, though, you repair some satellites and do a little smuggling. Also, while you start in a scout, you get taken away from that scout early on and get a small fighter craft instead. (You still own the scout, too, but it's half way across the map, so you'll need to do a little exploring to get it back.)
  
• (Avarice DLC) Smuggler's Paradise starts you as a human in the Vigour faction, which isn't very well liked by much of anyone - even some of the Teladi don't like these folks! Other than that, though, I don't really know because I don't have that DLC yet.
  
• (Avarice DLC) Stranded. Again, I know little, but at least you seem to be an ordinary Argon.
  
• <Unlock> The Accomplished Scientist won't be available to you until you play the game long enough to get the player headquarters. (Hint: you get it extra fast in the Project Genesis start!) You get a nicer fighter, a lot more cash, and you already own the player headquarters.
  
• <Unlock> Unworthy Entrepreneur also won't unlock until you play the game long enough to get the player headquarters. Instead of starting in a fighter, you start in a scout. Instead of getting the headquarters immediately, you get a small station and a medium sized transporter.

[Pathogenic]

The starts make very little difference in terms of the storylines. All storylines are ultimately available no matter which start you choose.