What Level is Best for a Newbie to Join a Faction

The minimum level to join is 16, but the optimal timing depends on the type of server you are playing on.

• On PvP servers, it’s recommended to join a faction as early as possible. This reduces the number of potential enemies: your own faction will stop shooting at you, and only enemies and neutrals will remain hostile. If you stay neutral, absolutely every player on the server will be able to shoot you.
• On No-PK servers, it’s the opposite — it’s better to hold off on joining a faction. As a neutral, you are essentially “immortal” to other players (except in PvP zones), but after joining, you’ll be forced to participate in PvP skirmishes across all locations. The optimal time to join is around level 27, when you already have a decent weapon and can equip your first faction armor.

Access to Bases

After joining one of the factions, access to the enemy’s base will be closed — approaching it will get you attacked by NPC guards and turrets.

• Before joining the CF, withdraw your items from storage and cancel listings at the BS camp (and vice versa: if you’re joining the BS, you need to grab your stuff and remove items from the marketplace at Solnechny town).
• If you leave the faction to become neutral again, you will lose access to faction bases in the Canyon, Testing Grounds, and Foothills. There, both NPCs and the base’s defense field will kill you. Therefore, you should withdraw all items from there in advance.
• Don’t worry about the safety of your items in storage or on the marketplace — they won’t disappear. However, you will only be able to retrieve them once you regain access to the corresponding base.

Faction Story Quests

It’s recommended not to rush the faction story line (it’s given by the same NPC you chose your side from).

After joining, two quest chains become available: The “Crashed Helicopter” quest (for CF) or “Dangerous Cargo” (for BS) can be done right away — it gives XP and money. However, you should hold off on the “Espionage” quest (for CF) or “Deal with Gosha” (for BS) for the following reasons:

• Reputation recovery. Completing this quest allows you to raise your faction reputation if you accidentally “dropped” it. This is useful for players with little PvP experience. You can hand in the “Decipherer” (so it doesn’t take up an inventory slot) and even start the generator. But after that, do not take the decipherer back to turn it in to the faction representative. As soon as you remove the device and complete the quest, it will finish, and you will no longer be able to raise your reputation this way when you need to.
• Safe gas gathering. This quest allows you to safely gather and transport gas. The thing is, while the quest is active, all looted gas is considered a quest item: it has no weight and doesn’t drop from your inventory upon death. You won’t be able to put it in your stash, but you can immediately place it in the chemical station for processing (washing). This way, while in a faction, you can loot gas without worrying about being over-encumbered or dropping it when killed by other players. To do this, you only need to complete part of the quest (insert the devices into the radio telescope) and stop there (do not start the generator).

When choosing a faction, the following points stand out:

Lore

This doesn’t affect gameplay itself, but for those who like to roleplay their character, it can be crucial.

• The Confederation is a military force striving to restore order after the disaster (albeit using questionable methods).
• The Black Sunset is essentially a group of anarchists interested in survival based on personal interests (capturing territories and resources).

Gear

Armor differs only in appearance; their stats are identical. Many players choose a faction purely for aesthetic reasons.

Starting Bases

• The Confederation’s main base is located in Solnechny town. The advantage of this base is its proximity to newbies who start their journey right there.
• The BS’s main base is the Black Sunset camp in the East Territories. The location of the camp allows BS players to reach the Radio Telescope and the Bunker faster.

Guide’s Work (Khorovoye — Swamp)

In the opinion of many players, this is one of the most important differences. The route for Confederates (and neutrals) from Khorovoye to the Tunnels through the Swamp (using the guide) is significantly shorter and safer than the route for BS fighters.

Pros:

Unique Content

Access to faction story and daily quests, as well as the ability to participate in faction wars in PvP zones to capture bases.

Using the Faction Arsenal

Access to equipment that neutrals cannot use: SSDs, mortars, drones, radios, etc. You will also be able to wear faction armor, which has better stats than neutral armor.

Favorable Economy

The ability to buy goods without a markup and minimal commission when selling resources at faction bases.

Crafting and Modding

• Access to crafting unique weapons: only while in a faction can you access the workbenches at the Testing Grounds to create drones and modified weapons.
• Armor modding: the parts needed to upgrade armor are only given as rewards for wars in the Foothills (neutrals cannot participate in them).
• Industrial crafting: faction bases have a large amount of equipment installed (several forges, presses, etc.), allowing you to process resources in large volumes simultaneously.

Faction Ranks

Ranks themselves don’t give in-game bonuses or privileges, but they raise your status in the eyes of other players.

Cons:

Constant PvP in All Locations

In any location, enemy faction fighters can attack you. Disabling PvP mode on No-PK servers does not cancel the faction war. This means you must always be prepared to die and lose your loot.

Managing Faction Reputation

You cannot kill your faction mates — doing so lowers your reputation and incurs penalties. Because of this, during intense PvP battles or joint boss runs, you’ll have to act carefully to avoid accidentally hitting “your own”.

When choosing a clan, keep the following nuances in mind:

Rating and Real Activity

The clan list is sorted by their upgrade level. A high place in the top doesn’t always guarantee live online. A clan might be “dead” (upgraded in the past but abandoned now). And vice versa: new clans at the bottom of the list often have high activity and a close-knit team. When choosing, focus on the actual presence of players online, not just the clan level.

Clan Description

This is your main source of primary info. In the description, leaders usually indicate the focus (PvP/PvE), the community’s goals, and the minimum requirements for candidates.

Interview and Communication with Management

Most internal rules are not published in the clan description. Before applying, make sure to contact the clan administration via Discord or in-game chat. Personal communication will help you understand the real conditions of being in the clan and avoid unpleasant surprises after joining.

Reputation and Responsibility

Before joining, ask other players for their opinion about the clan. A bad community reputation (e.g., the status of a “toxic PK clan”) will instantly spread to you, even if you just joined.

Clan Stash

It significantly surpasses personal stashes in terms of slots and weight capacity. However, access to the warehouse is regulated by the management and often depends on the level of trust in the player. Because of this, players often create their own clan as a “mule clan”.

Clan Skills

As a rule, upgraded clans have many unlocked skills (similar to character skills), whose passive bonus applies to all clan members without exception. Often, players first join any top clan just for the skills to level up quickly and comfortably.

Clan Quests

In a clan, daily clan quests become available. They don’t provide extra XP or income, but thanks to them, you can spice up your free time — there will always be something to do in the game.

Faction Arsenal

In clans where the “Faction Arsenal” skill is unlocked, you can count on getting faction armor and gear unavailable to neutrals. However, only the Head or Deputy of that clan can purchase items from the arsenal.

Social Interaction

In a clan (especially an active one with a stable online presence), you can always count on help, support, and hanging out together. Moreover, in some clans, the management often organizes intra-clan competitions and events, which boosts interaction within the team.

Fees and Taxes

Some clans require an entry fee or a weekly/monthly “subscription” for being in the clan. This is how the management fills the treasury to buy everything necessary and develop the clan. Additionally, it insures the community against new players “wiping” the stash.

Strict Discipline

They may often demand mandatory participation in all faction wars, PvP skirmishes, and the daily completion of clan quests. This is done for the accelerated development of the clan to secure top positions in the ranking. Being in Discord and other platforms may also be mandatory.

Restrictions

Clan rules may also apply to your alt characters (twinks) and playstyle. For example, players are often forbidden from having twinks in the opposing faction or in other clans. Sometimes, upon joining, they may ask you to turn on screen sharing to check all your characters, including those on other servers. They might also forbid you from farming in low-level locations, killing players outside of wars, or conversely — obligate you to strictly shoot everyone everywhere.

Collective Responsibility

If a clan has proven itself to be aggressive or toxic, other players will treat you with hostility, even if you personally haven’t done anything provocative.