Faction Comparison
Belt Pirates vs Free Traders
Comparing the Belt Pirates and Free Traders factions in Starforge MMO. Your faction choice sets your starting bonuses, playstyle and long-term strengths — pick the one that matches how you want to build your empire.
At a Glance
| Attribute | Belt Pirates | Free Traders |
|---|---|---|
| Difficulty | — | Advanced |
| Faction bonuses | 0 | 3 |
| Faction penalties | 0 | 2 |
| Unique ship classes | 3 | 3 |
| Start Metal | — | 1,500 |
| Start Crystal | — | 500 |
| Start Gas | — | 600 |
| Start Antimatter | — | 0 |
| Start Dark Matter | — | 0 |
| Start Bio Material | — | 100 |
★ marks the higher starting stockpile. More starting resources speed the opening, but bonuses and playstyle matter more over a full game.
Belt Pirates
Playstyle
npc
Free Traders
Advanced
Begin with the largest starting metal stockpile in the game, a 30 % cargo bonus on all ships, and better galactic market sell prices — but your weapons are weak. Win through wealth, not war.
Playstyle
Economy and cargo — weakest in direct combat but far ahead in resource generation, trade bonuses, and market influence. Best for long-session economic players.
Bonuses
- +30% Cargo
- +15% Market Prices
- +10% Resource Production
Penalties
- -15% Weapon Damage
- -10% Shields
Which Faction Should You Pick?
If you are newer to Starforge MMO, Free Traders is the gentler start — its advanced difficulty and forgiving bonuses smooth the early game. Veterans chasing a sharper edge may prefer the harder faction's specialised strengths shown above.