Summary

  • Starfield fans can cheat on the UC Vanguard combat exam by using the flight sim's debug tools, allowing them to easily join the faction.
  • Enrolling with the UC Vanguard requires completing the Supra Et Ultra quest, which includes a somewhat challenging flight combat exam.
  • Using the Simulation Controls console to cheat has no in-game penalty, and players can even gain root access to the panel with the Starfield Security skill, making the cheats even more powerful.

One inquisitive Starfield fan realized that the game allows players to cheat on the United Colonies Vanguard combat exam by activating its integrated debug tools. Apart from facilitating the process of joining the UC Vanguard in Starfield, their discovery also underlines the impressive attention to detail that went into the making of Bethesda's hit RPG.

Of all the optional faction quests in the game, the UC Vanguard storyline is the most accessible of the lot, as merely following the main story will provide players with the opportunity to join this UC Navy branch within minutes of starting a new playthrough. Enrolling with the UC Vanguard requires completing Starfield's Supra Et Ultra quest, which is mostly straightforward, though the flight combat exam at its very end might prove to be a challenge for newcomers.

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Alternatively, it's possible to cheat on the test by interacting with the Simulation Controls console located near the flight sim chamber's exit. As recently discovered by Reddit user duckduckbananas, this panel allows Starfield players to activate the exam's debug tools, which can generate an allied ship, boost the test spacecraft's shields, and improve its damage. The console itself won't be usable until the player starts the exam by sitting in the simulation chamber pilot's seat.

By default, each of the three bonuses can only be deployed during one of the six exam tiers. However, investing one point in the Starfield Security skill will allow players to pass an Advanced level lockpicking mini-game and gain root access to the console, consequently side-stepping that restriction. Reflecting on this discovery, duckduckbananas later realized that they even forgot to power their ship engines during the exam, yet still managed to ace it with basically no mobility due to how powerful the in-game cheats proved to be.

There is no in-game penalty for using the Simulation Controls console to cheat on the UC Vanguard exam. The officer standing in front of the flight sim chamber suggests as much by outright telling the player they can use anything they find in the examination room to complete the test.

There is no in-game penalty for using the Simulation Controls console to cheat on the UC Vanguard exam.

Completing the Supra Et Ultra quest only requires beating the first three tiers of the combat exam, which are fairly straightforward even on higher difficulty levels. However, going the extra mile to beat all six levels is still worth it, as Commander Tuala will reward players with 20,000 credits for acing the test. That sum is particularly useful for low-level characters, which is why Supra Et Ultra is widely considered to be one of the early game quests that shouldn't be skipped in Starfield.

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Starfield Tag Page Cover Art
10 /10

Starfield
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Action
RPG
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Systems
PC-1 Xbox-1
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Top Critic Avg: 85 /100 Critics Rec: 83%
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Released
September 6, 2023
ESRB
M For Mature 17+ Due To Blood, Suggestive Themes, Use of Drugs, Strong Language, Violence
Developer(s)
Bethesda
Publisher(s)
Bethesda
Engine
proprietary engine
Cross-Platform Play
no multiplayer
Cross Save
no
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WHERE TO PLAY

SUBSCRIPTION
DIGITAL
PHYSICAL
Checkbox: control the expandable behavior of the extra info

Starfield is the first new universe in 25 years from Bethesda Game Studios, the award-winning creators of The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim and Fallout 4. In this next generation role-playing game set amongst the stars, create any character you want and explore with unparalleled freedom as you embark on an epic journey to answer humanity’s greatest mystery.
The year is 2330. Humanity has ventured beyond our solar system, settling new planets, and living as a spacefaring people. From humble beginnings as a space miner, you will join Constellation – the last group of space explorers seeking rare artifacts throughout the galaxy – and navigate the vast expanse of the Settled Systems in Bethesda Game Studios’ biggest and most ambitious game.

Genre(s)
Action, RPG
How Long To Beat
20 Hours
File Size Xbox Series
101 GB (September 2023)
Metascore
86