Factions

Factions are selected by you to lead towards a glorious victory on the planet. Or ignoble extinction, depending on the circumstances.

Human factions

The human factions of Planet are not divided by race, language or place of ancestral origin. Instead, each faction is guided by the vision of its leader. These visions, in turn, give each faction a unique set of advantages and disadvantages. By comparing the strengths of your faction to the parameters of a customized planet, you can either give yourself an edge against the other factions, or set yourself a unique challenge to overcome.

Human factions enjoy the full Alpha Centauri experience with full diplomacy, including the Planetary Council and all Victory options.

Basic breakdown

Name	Starting technology	Social engineering			Faction modifiers	Base bonuses	Unit bonuses
		Modifiers	Banned choices	Other
The Data Angels	Information Networks Planetary Networks	+2 PROBE -1 POLICE	Power (values)		Gain any tech known to 3 other factions with whom Angels have infiltration	Free covert ops center with discovery of Pre-Sentient Algorithms	-25% cost to probe team actions
The Lord's Believers	Social Psych	+1 PROBE +2 SUPPORT -2 RESEARCH -1 PLANET	Knowledge (values)		Accumulates NO research points until MY 2110.		+25% Bonus when attacking enemies.
The Cybernetic Consciousness	Information Networks Applied Physics	+2 RESEARCH +2 EFFICIENCY -1 GROWTH	Fundamentalist (politics)	No Cybernetic penalty (future society)	Can steal technology when capturing a base
The Free Drones	Industrial Base	+2 INDUSTRY -2 RESEARCH	Green (economics)		Revolting bases have a 75% chance to join drones	-1 DRONES in every base
The Cult of Planet	Centauri Ecology Social Psych	+2 PLANET: -1 INDUSTRY -1 ECON	Wealth (values)			Free brood pit with discovery of Centauri Genetics	Mind Worms do double police duty
Gaia's Stepdaughters	Centauri Ecology	+1 PLANET +2 EFFICIENCY -1 MORALE -1 POLICE	Free Market (economics)			+1 Nutrients in fungus squares
Human Hive	Doctrine: Loyalty	+1 GROWTH +1 INDUSTRY -2 ECONOMY	Democratic (politics)			Underground bunkers: Free perimeter defense at each base
Morgan Industries	Industrial Base	+1 ECONOMY -1 SUPPORT Commerce bonus increases value of treaties, pacts, loans	Planned (economics)		Begins with 100 extra energy credits.	Need hab complex for bases to exceed size 4
Peacekeeping Forces	Biogenetics	-1 EFFICIENCY	Police State (politics)		Receives DOUBLE votes in elections for Planetary Governor and Supreme Leader.	+1 TALENT per every four citizens May exceed hab complex population requirements by 2.
Nautilus Pirates	Doctrine: Mobility Doctrine: Flexibility	-1 EFFICIENCY -1 GROWTH				Free naval yard with discovery of Doctrine: Initiative Enhancements may be built in ocean and trench squares with the discovery of Advanced Ecological Engineering Bonus mineral from ocean shelf squares	Sea colony pod & sea former prototypes FREE Marine Detachment ability FREE to all naval combat units upon discovery of Adaptive Doctrine
Spartan Federation	Doctrine: Mobility	+2 MORALE +1 POLICE -1 INDUSTRY	Wealth (values)				Prototype units do not cost extra minerals.
University of Planet	Information Networks	+2 RESEARCH -2 PROBE			One BONUS TECH at beginning of game	Extra DRONE for every four citizens Free Network node at every base

Breakdown with rationale

Name	Starting technology	Social engineering modifiers	Faction bonuses	Base bonuses	Unit bonuses
The Data Angels	Information Networks Planetary Networks	+2 PROBE: Highly motivated computer specialists -1 POLICE: Decentralized, difficult to control May not make Power choice in social engineering.	Gain any tech known to 3 other factions with whom Angels have infiltration: Wide-ranging covert activities	Free covert ops center with discovery of Pre-Sentient Algorithms	-25% cost to probe team actions: Skilled at network access and control
The Lord's Believers	Social Psych	+1 PROBE: Devout believers difficult to brainwash +2 SUPPORT: Citizens eager to defend faith -2 RESEARCH: Suspicious of secular science -1 PLANET: Believe Planet is their promised land May not use Knowledge value in social engineering.	Accumulates NO research points until MY 2110.		+25% Bonus when attacking enemies, from strength of convictions.
The Cybernetic Consciousness	Information Networks Applied Physics	+2 RESEARCH: Human research abilities enhanced by algorithmic control +2 EFFICIENCY: Cybernetic biologicals extremely efficient -1 GROWTH: Humans 'possessed by an algorithm' find reproduction awkward Impunity to CYBERNETIC penalty: Cybernetic social choice is 'rational' and not dissented by citizens May not make Fundamentalist choice in social engineering	Can steal technology when capturing a base
The Free Drones	Industrial Base	+2 INDUSTRY: Excellent craftsmen and skilled workers -2 RESEARCH: Emphasis on productivity instead of 'blue-sky' research May not use Green economics in social engineering.	Revolting bases have a 75% chance to join drones: Offer a workingman's paradise	-1 DRONES in every base: Working for common good reduces discontent
The Cult of Planet	Centauri Ecology Social Psych	+2 PLANET: Devoted to promoting native growth -1 INDUSTRY: Reluctant to pollute environment -1 ECON: Disinterested in wealth and its trappings May not make Wealth choice in social engineering		*Free brood pit with discovery of Centauri Genetics	Mind Worms do double police duty: Fear and reverence for native life
Gaia's Stepdaughters	Centauri Ecology	+1 PLANET: Environmental safeguards; can capture mindworms +2 EFFICIENCY: Experience with life systems & recycling -1 MORALE: Pacifist tendencies -1 POLICE: Freedom loving May not use Free Market economics in social engineering		+1 Nutrients in fungus squares
Human Hive	Doctrine: Loyalty	+1 GROWTH: Rapid population growth +1 INDUSTRY: Brutal serfdom -2 ECONOMY: Little political freedom May not use Democratic politics in social engineering		Underground bunkers: Free perimeter defense at each base
Morgan Industries	Industrial Base	+1 ECONOMY: Industrial conglomerate -1 SUPPORT: Followers have expensive tastes Commerce bonus increases value of treaties, pacts, loans May not use Planned Economics in social engineering	Begins with 100 extra energy credits.	Need hab complex for bases to exceed size 4: Creature comforts at a premium
Peacekeeping Forces	Biogenetics	-1 EFFICIENCY: U.N. style bureaucracy May not use Police State politics in social engineering	Receives DOUBLE votes in elections for Planetary Governor and Supreme Leader.	Extra TALENT for every four citizens: Attracts intellectual elite May exceed hab complex population requirements by 2.
Nautilus Pirates	Doctrine: Mobility Doctrine: Flexibility	-1 EFFICIENCY Individualistic mentality opposed to central organization -1 GROWTH Culture does not place high emphasis on family		Free naval yard with discovery of Doctrine: Initiative: Skilled shipwrights Enhancements may be built in ocean and trench squares with the discovery of Advanced Ecological Engineering: Trained for life at sea Bonus mineral from ocean shelf squares: Culture and technology adapted for the ocean	Sea colony pod & sea former prototypes FREE: Advanced oceanic technology Marine Detachment ability FREE to all naval combat units upon discovery of Adaptive Doctrine
Spartan Federation	Doctrine: Mobility	+2 MORALE: Well-armed survivalist movement +1 POLICE: Highly disciplined followers -1 INDUSTRY: Extravagant weapons are costly May not use Wealth value in social engineering.			Prototype units do not cost extra minerals.
University of Planet	Information Networks	+2 RESEARCH: Brilliant research -2 PROBE: Academic networks vulnerable to infiltration	One BONUS TECH at beginning of game	Extra DRONE for every four citizens (lack of ethics) Free Network node at every base

Progenitor factions

The Progenitors are a highly advanced race of starfaring creatures, whose technological sophistication is evident in the artifacts and monoliths they left behind on Planet. Research into these structures, or direct contact with the Progenitors should they return, can yield new technologies, weapons, and base facilities.

In recent millenia, the Progenitors have split into two warring camps: the Manifold Caretakers and the Manifold Usurpers. These factions conflict over the uses of the Manifolds, which include Planet. The Caretakers wish to leave the Manifolds in their original, pristine state, while the Usurpers wish to initiate and control an Ascent to Transcendence. If either faction is successful in their quest, it most likely means an end to humanity's presence on Planet.

Progenitors cannot join the Planetary Council and need to be exterminated if a human faction pursues the Diplomatic victory.

Name	Starting technology	Social engineering modifiers	Faction bonuses	Base bonuses	Unit bonuses
Manifold Caretakers	Progenitor Psych Centauri Ecology Field Modulation Information Networks Biogenetics	+1 PLANET: Understand workings of Planet, the Sixth Manifold	Can direct research efforts (rediscovering technology & infrastructure) Possess a physical scan of Planet's surface	Free recycling tanks at every base "Energy Grid" at each base: Increased infrastructure generates additional energy	Make Planetfall with a Mk I Battle Ogre and extra colony pod All prototyped combat units have 2-square sighting radius ("Resonance" sensitivity) +25% Defensive combat: Can sense & manipulate "Resonance" fields
Manifold Usurpers	Progenitor Psych, Centauri Ecology, Field Modulation, Applied Physics, Biogenetics	+1 GROWTH: Abuse Planet's resources for their own gain +1 MORALE: Warlike culture -1 PLANET: Planet senses Usurper's dark intent	Can direct research efforts (rediscovering technology & infrastructure) Possess a physical scan of Planet's surface	Free recycling tanks at every base "Energy Grid" at each base: Increased infrastructure generates additional energy	Begin game with a Mk I Battle Ogre and extra colony pod +25% Offensive combat: Can sense & manipulate "Resonance" fields All prototyped combat units have 2-square sighting radius ("Resonance" sensitivity)

Other

Name	Starting technology	Social engineering modifiers	Faction bonuses	Base bonuses	Unit bonuses
Firaxians	Singularity Mechanics

Behind the scenes

Some of the factions had early names and logos. These are broken below:

Name	Color	Early Name	Early Insignia
Gaia's Stepdaughters	GAIAN GREEN	Gaian
Human Hive	LABYRINTH BLUE	Labyrinth
University of Planet	ARCHON WHITE	Archon
Morgan Industries	MORGAN YELLOW	Morgan
Spartan Federation	SPARTAN BLACK	Spartan
The Lord's Believers	CONCLAVIST ORANGE	Conclavist
Peacekeeping Forces	KEEPER PURPLE	Keeper