Choosing a faction in the strategy game Sins of a Solar Empire can significantly impact your gameplay experience. Each faction offers unique strengths, weaknesses, and playstyles that can greatly influence your strategies and tactics throughout the game. In this article, we will explore the different races and subfactions available in Sins of a Solar Empire, helping you make an informed decision when selecting a faction to play.
Selecting a Faction – Races
Before diving into the subfactions, let’s explore the three primary races in Sins of a Solar Empire: TEC, Advent, and Vasari. Each race has its own distinct characteristics and abilities that shape their gameplay.
TEC (Trade Emergency Coalition)
The TEC faction represents the most straightforward race in the game. Despite their simplicity, they are not limited to beginner players. TEC units offer excellent value for their cost, making them formidable in the early game. They excel at rush strategies, especially when combined with the powerful Sova Carrier. TEC also boasts superior repair capabilities with upgradable repair bays and the Hoshiko Robotics cruiser.
However, TEC’s straightforwardness comes at a cost. They lack the complex technologies and synergies found in other races, making them relatively weaker in the late game. Nevertheless, if you leverage TEC’s strong start and effectively manage your resources, you can secure a superior position by the late game. The TEC’s late game bonuses to income and production, coupled with their formidable superweapon, the Novalith cannon, give them an advantage in prolonged conflicts. The TEC faction is best suited for players learning the game, those who prefer management over tactics, or individuals who rely on a strong early game to survive in multiplayer matches.
Advent
In many ways, the Advent faction stands in stark contrast to the TEC. They rely on quality rather than quantity, emphasizing the use of synergy between their ships’ special abilities. The Advent faction presents a more complex and tactically demanding playstyle, rewarding players who can effectively coordinate their support cruisers, capital ships, and titans. While the Advent are weaker in the early game due to their limited unit variety, their strong military technology and powerful abilities can decimate even vastly larger fleets in the late game, especially when facing the TEC.
However, the Advent faction struggles with economic development, possessing the weakest economy in the game. This limitation makes it challenging to build a formidable military force. Additionally, Vasari phase missiles can easily dismantle the Advent’s shield-focused ships. Despite these challenges, the Advent faction appeals to players with a military and tactical mindset, those who enjoy forging intricate fleet synergies, or anyone who appreciates the concept of commanding an all-female faction.
Vasari
The Vasari faction defies easy characterization. On the surface, their frigates appear weaker than those of other races, as they consume more fleet supply while offering only modestly better stats. However, the Vasari compensate for this drawback with unique special abilities and research that grant them exceptional mobility and damage potential. Their Phase Stabilizers enable them to establish phase lanes anywhere, allowing for swift movement across their empire or surprise attacks on distant enemy planets using the formidable Kostura cannon.
Vasari phase missiles are among the most potent weapons in the game, capable of bypassing shields and inflicting substantial damage. While the Vasari used to have a weak early game, their powerful capital ships make up for their lackluster frigates until their unique “special toys” come online. The Vasari faction appeals to players who enjoy research, mobility, or exploiting unfair advantages at the expense of having strong base units.
Selecting a Faction – Subfactions
Now that we have explored the three primary races, let’s take a closer look at the subfactions available within each race. These subfactions offer further specialization and unique advantages within their respective races.
TEC Rebels
For beginners, the TEC Rebels subfaction is highly recommended. It offers a simplified playstyle, making it ideal for players who are new to the game. The TEC Rebels have two notable advantages. First, they possess the Ragnarov titan, a colossal space-faring shotgun that excels at devastating enemy fleets. Its two damaging area-of-effect (AoE) abilities make it a force to be reckoned with in fleet engagements. The second advantage is the “Truce Amongst Rogues” ability, which establishes an alliance with pirates. While this grants immunity to pirate raids, it’s advisable to disable this ability when playing online. The TEC Rebels also have other useful techs, such as increased weapon damage and the ability to earn credits while bombing planets.
TEC Loyalists
The TEC Loyalists subfaction has become a much more respectable choice after several patches. However, it is recommended for more advanced players due to its heavy focus on defense and the late availability of its powerful techs. New players often tend to rely too much on turtling strategies, and it’s essential for them to break free from this habit as soon as possible. Expanding rapidly is crucial for TEC Loyalist players, as winning against opponents with more planets becomes exceedingly challenging. Building an extensive network of research labs is vital for accessing their impressive technologies.
Once the early expansion phase is over, the TEC Loyalists can establish an advantageous position like no other faction. Their early access to cheaper Novalith cannons allows them to strike their opponents’ economies from a distance. Moreover, their superior economy, especially when investing in Starbase trade modules due to the cheaper starbase upgrades, ensures they have the highest credit income rate in the game. Their Ankylon titan, while not particularly fearsome, performs well against enemy titans by disabling their abilities and reducing their rate of fire, all while being extremely resilient.
Advent Rebels
As a personal favorite, the Advent Rebels subfaction brings a unique theme to the game—power over life and death. They have the ability to resurrect destroyed ships at their homeworld or temporarily revive enemy ships to fight on their side. These abilities minimize losses and provide emergency reinforcements when needed. The Advent Rebels also possess excellent healing capabilities, with additional shield regeneration in culture and shield restoration from antimatter rechargers.
Their Eradica titan is a formidable asset, featuring Chastic Burst, an effective fleet destruction ability. The Eradica can even heal itself by destroying friendly frigates, gaining damage bonuses for each frigate destroyed. Its ultimate ability, Unyielding Will, increases its power as it sustains damage, and upon destruction, it grants a few minutes of invulnerability to maximize its impact on enemy forces. Another notable tech is Wail of the Sacrificed, which enables the destruction of one’s own planet to deal damage to neighboring planets based on population. The Advent Rebels are a captivating choice for players who appreciate the concepts of life manipulation and sacrifice.
Advent Loyalists
The Advent Loyalists subfaction revolves around mind control and culture. While culture-centric strategies may not often secure victory, a few of the Advent Loyalists’ culture techs offer significant benefits. Global Unity, for example, allows all planets to spread culture without requiring a culture center while providing a substantial max allegiance bonus that improves the economy. The general culture techs leading to the Deliverance Engine are also worthwhile, offering shield mitigation and phase missile block bonuses to enhancefleet defenses. Coward’s Submission is an intriguing tech that gives players a chance to capture enemy ships when they attempt to jump from one of the player’s planets, causing attrition to invaders and potentially providing free units.
Fury of the Unity and Divine Retribution are excellent stat buff techs that further enhance the Advent Loyalists’ capabilities. The Coronata titan, while lacking a fleet destruction ability, excels in reducing enemy damage and slowing their movement speed, making a well-formed fleet of Advent Loyalists incredibly difficult to defeat. Unity Mass, its signature ability, inflicts high base damage on a single target, giving the Coronata an advantage in one-on-one titan battles. Its ultimate ability allows for instant planet capture, so bombardment ships are not the main focus of the Advent Loyalists’ strategy.
Vasari Rebels
At the game’s launch, the Vasari Rebels subfaction was considered overpowered, leading many multiplayer gamers to ban its use. However, subsequent nerfs have brought it back into balance. The Vasari Rebels retain the conventional Vasari strategy, emphasizing enhanced mobility, diplomacy, and phase missiles. They boast exceptional hit-and-run attack capabilities, making them formidable adversaries. The “Starbase Mobilization” technology is a standout feature, allowing every starbase to phase jump.
This effectively transforms the starbase into a mobile fortress, providing substantial defensive and offensive capabilities. The VR titan possesses abilities that exclusively affect frigates, with nano leach being particularly noteworthy. This ability allows the titan to repair itself more effectively by draining energy from frigates it hits. When facing the Vasari Rebels’ titan, it may be advantageous to focus on using your own titan and capital ships, as the VR titan is vulnerable to non-frigate units.
Vasari Loyalists
The Vasari Loyalists subfaction offers a unique playstyle, as they are the only faction that can thrive without relying heavily on planets. While it is not advisable to forgo planets entirely, Vasari Loyalists can generate income and function as research labs through their capital ships. Their ability to spawn fleets from phase stabilizers and strip planets into asteroids for additional resources provides interesting strategic options. The Vorastra titan is widely regarded as the best titan in multiplayer matches. Its Micro Phase Jump ability enhances its survivability, and the Desperation ability, although a weak area-of-effect attack, remains passive and cannot be disabled. Upon reaching level six, the Vorastra gains “The Maw,” enabling it to instantly destroy frigates and generate resources.
Through research, Vasari Loyalists can thrive without owning any planets, as long as their titan remains alive. The main tactics for Vasari Loyalists typically involve aggressive expansion through stripping planets to consume as many as possible, enabling the construction of a formidable fleet capable of overwhelming adversaries. Alternatively, the Vasari Loyalists can adopt “Scorched Earth” tactics by destroying every enemy planet they capture, gradually eroding their opponent’s economy.
Sins of a Solar Empire Minor Factions
With tensions rising between the TEC, Advent, and Vasari factions, the stability of the galaxy hangs by a thread. In this time of dwindling resources and impending doom, every advantage must be seized. Enter the Minor Factions DLC, adding a new layer of strategic depth to the game.
Compete against your adversaries to gain control over emerging forces that exist beyond the influence of the major powers. Crush them if you must, but it might be wiser to employ diplomatic envoys to sway them to your cause. Their unique abilities and strengths could be the key to securing victory in the face of defeat.
“Minor Factions” Gameplay Option
Activate the “Minor Factions” gameplay option to introduce minor factions into the game. Each playthrough will populate the map with a variety of minor factions, expanding your strategic and tactical choices.
15 New Minor Factions
Engage with and recruit 15 new minor factions, each offering distinctive traits and advantages. Send envoys to persuade these factions to join your empire and harness their unique capabilities. Some notable minor factions include:
- Nilari Cultists: These fervent Advent cultists wield waves of fanatical martyrs, sacrificing their own people for devastating effects. They also possess the ability to indoctrinate nearby populations, further accelerating their cause. Beware, though, as their zealotry often blurs the line between friend and foe, regardless of your previous alliances.
- Viturak Transport Cabal: Acquiring Vasari technology is notoriously challenging, but the Cabal can grant you access to their black market travel tech. Unlock phase engine improvements and the ability to execute covert raids. If you manage to gain their trust, you might even secure a stolen Antorak Marauder, which can be paired with their local phase stabilizer for added advantage.
- Grost Scrappers Union: This faction of underground human entrepreneurs holds no bias when it comes to credits. They offer various services, including armor retrofits, swift field repairs, resource deals, and a facility to convert obsolete frigates into profitable scrap. When in need, the Grost Scrappers Union has your back.
Additionally, there are 12 more minor factions to encounter, each with their own unique themes and roles. These factions include mercenaries, xenophobes, pacifists, used ship dealers, demolition experts, resource miners, resistance fighters, arms dealers, and more.
Wrapping Up
Choosing a faction in Sins of a Solar Empire is an important decision that significantly impacts your gameplay experience. Each race and subfaction offers a unique set of strengths, weaknesses, and strategies to explore. By understanding the attributes and playstyles of each faction, you can tailor your approach to match your preferences and playstyle. Whether you prefer straightforward gameplay, complex synergies, or unconventional tactics, Sins of a Solar Empire has a faction that will suit your preferences. So, go ahead, delve into the vastness of space, and conquer the galaxy with your chosen faction!
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
- Can I change my faction or subfaction during a game?
- No, once you select a faction and subfaction at the beginning of a game, it remains fixed throughout the match.
- Which faction is the best for beginners?
- The TEC Rebels subfaction is recommended for beginners due to its simplicity and focused playstyle. It offers a great starting point for learning the game’s mechanics.
- Are there any DLC factions or subfactions?
- Depending on the version and available expansions/DLCs of Sins of a Solar Empire, additional factions or subfactions may be available. Check the game’s official website or store page for more information.
- How do faction choices impact multiplayer matches?
- Faction choices can significantly impact multiplayer matches, as each faction has unique strengths and weaknesses. It is crucial to consider the strengths and weaknesses of your chosen faction and develop strategies that capitalize on its advantages while mitigating its weaknesses.
- Can I customize and modify faction attributes?
- In the base game of Sins of a Solar Empire, faction attributes are predetermined and cannot be directly modified. However, mods and custom game options may offer more flexibility in altering faction attributes and gameplay mechanics.
