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tells a pretty cool main story revolving around the only faction in the game you have no choice but to join - Constellation. But shortly into joining, you'll learn about a certain kiosk at the Lodge that'll let you sign on for side quests to help Constellation out with its exploration duties.
Along your way through the Settled Systems, you'll find plenty more kiosks - they're called the Mission Board. We'll cover the basics of all of these here, as well as what you should expect when getting started.
Updated on September 15, 2023 by Quinton O'Connor: We've added a new section concerning the Crimson Fleet and UC SysDef decision, and its potential impact on your ability to participate in mission board assignments.
Where To Find Mission Boards In Starfield
You'll find Mission Boards not just at major and minor settlements, but sometimes in spots you might never expect. Some - though not all - civilian and science outposts on sparse worlds can have a kiosk or two, and amusingly enough, asking an NPC if there's work to be done can sometimes prompt them to suggest you take a look at the Mission Board.
This isn't funny in its own right so much as a bit amusing to consider a biologist on a far-flung planet seems to think it'll help him out for you to go take down a Crimson Fleet ship six systems away. Regardless, you're guaranteed to stumble into Mission Boards all over New Atlꦰantis, 💎Akila City, Neon, Cydonia, and so forth. Even smaller towns like New Homestead have them.
What you won't find in a lot of these spots is faction-specific Mission Boards, which rather than appearing more all-purpose in manner, specifically revolve around quests that are more in line with the faction's goals and methodology. Good spots to find these? The Lodge for Constellation missions; the UC Vigilance for UC Vanguard missions; Akila City for Freestar missions; the Key for Crimson Fleet missions; and Neon for Ryujin missions.
Differences Between Faction Mission Boards
As we've mentioned, there are some clear differences between factional Mission Boards. If you're questing for Constellation, you'll be conducting many surveys and searches for anomalies. This sort of thing is commonplace for players who opt to scour every world for all its worth, since so many of Starfield's less 'important' planets and moons tend to consist of a fairly predictable blend of - among other things - surveyable areas and anomalous readings.
The Crimson Fleet is predictably pirate-like, with raids and such. UC Vanguard tasks you with more defensive fare, and commonly pits you against enemy starships, including Crimson Fleet pirates. That can put you at odds if you're with the Fleet, of course, so be sure to kill every witness if you suddenly get a bounty on your head from your Crimson 'allies'.
If you're feeling like a right proper frontier cowboy, the Freestar Collective might send you to settle some disputes, albeit oftentimes at gunpoint. As for Ryujin Industries, is it really any su🎶rprise that espionage is commonplace?
A Note On The Crimson Fleet And UC SysDef
At the conclusion of the Crimson Fleet quests, your loyalty-based decision will dictate whether you still have access to both the Crimson Fleet and UC SysDef mission boards. We know with certainty that taking an anti-Fleet stand blocks off future participation in their mission board; we're pretty sure the same applies for UC SysDef.
Just something to bear in mind before making the call in one of Starfield's more epic player choices!