Three major religions offer traits for you to choose from in the character creator for Starfield, though only two offer a tangible reward: The Enlightened and Sanctum Universal. You might want some more information on both before committing to a faith.
Traits in Starfield will give your character unique dialogue options, connections, or benefits. While you can avoid picking a religion for your character in Starfield, selecting one will give your character a social advantage in specific quests. Though House Va’ruun, chosen by picking the Serpent’s Embrace trait, is another religion its trait comes with very, very few benefits. If you are choosing between Raised Enlightened and Raised Universal, here’s what you should pick.
Enlightened vs. Universal: Lore and beliefs
The House of Enlightenment
The Enlightened are members of the House of Enlightenment. Their headquarters can be found in The Well in New Atlantis, where you can speak to Andy Singh to learn more about the House and its beliefs. You can even complete a few odd jobs for him.
While you might think differently based on the name, the House of Enlightenment is actually an atheist faction. Rather than believing in the existence of a higher power, the House of Enlightenment’s views are closer to that of humanism.
As Andy Singh will tell you, the organization’s growth allowed them to spend more time and resources on humanitarian efforts and the strength of humanity’s cooperation.
The Sanctum Universum
If your character was raised Universal, it means they were raised as a member of the Sanctum Universum. This group’s headquarters are located in the MAST District of New Atlantis in between the Freestar Collective and House Va’ruun embassies.
Universals believe that God exists somewhere in the unexplored reaches of space. Keeper Aquilus, the head of the organization’s headquarters in New Atlantis, doesn’t offer too much additional information, but some in-game books detail that Universals believe God is slowly but surely guiding humanity to Him by introducing technological advances such as the game’s Grav Drives.
Raised Enlightened vs. Universal: Which is better?
I believe that Raised Universal is the slightly better choice. While it’s true that both the Sanctum Universal and Enlightened will give your character access to an exclusive item chest, the Raised Universal chest has a better collection of goodies.
First, I preferred the items found in the Sanctum Universal embassy to those in the Enlightened embassy. Second, several Universal characters play a major part in the main storyline, and picking this trait will give you several unique advantages and dialogue options.
Still, Raised Enlightened is far from a bad trait. You will similarly gain access to a chest and connections. If you are brave enough to choose House Va’ruun, you will gain health and stamina increase from Grav Jumping, though if you neglect to Grav Jump, you will lose these benefits.
Raised Universal chest items and location
The Raised Universal trait will give you access to the Sanctum Universal embassy in New Atlantis. This temple can be found in the MAST district of New Atlantis, on the planet Jemison. Below are all the items that you can find in the Universal chest:
- x5 Med Packs
- x2 Addichrone
- Festive Neocity Poncho
- Boom Pop! Orange
- Sanctum Universum, Vol I
- Sanctum Universum, Vol II
- Sanctum Universum, Vol III
Raised Enlightened chest items and location
Whereas the Universal’s embassy is built in one of the better regions of New Atlantis, the Enlightened headquarters can be found in The Well. The goods found in the Enlightened’s chest are primarily healing agents that could help you in a pinch, though nothing that will give you an extreme edge. Below are all the items you can receive as part of the Enlightened:
- x5 Med Packs
- x2 Penicillin
- Water Drink Pack
- Settler Poncho
- Charity in a Godless Universe, Part I
- Charity in a Godless Universe, Part II
- Charity in a Godless Universe, Part III
- Charity in a Godless Universe, Part IV
