You Can Only Pick One Faction in Gothic Remake, So Which One Should You Choose?

The opening chapter of Gothic Remake offers a unique experience where players can explore and interact with three distinct factions: the Old Camp, New Camp, and Swamp Camp. Each of these factions has its own goals, conflicts, and ways of operating within the penal colony. However, as the Nameless Hero, you must eventually choose a single faction to align with. This decision has lasting consequences, but the game allows you to still engage with the other camps, complete their quests, and even receive daily free items like ragout from the Old Camp or swampweed from the Swamp Camp.

While all factions have their own flaws, the choice ultimately comes down to which one aligns best with your playstyle and preferences. Whether you're drawn to the structured hierarchy of the Old Camp, the chaotic freedom of the New Camp, or the mysterious allure of the Swamp Camp, each offers unique rewards and progression paths.

The Main Impacts of Your Faction Choice

Your faction choice in Gothic Remake influences your gameplay in several key ways:

  • Quest Availability: Depending on which faction you join, you'll have access to different quests, especially in the early chapters. For example, delivering a message to the fire mages can be done in multiple ways, such as climbing the ranks of the Old Camp to access the castle, becoming a messenger for the New Camp's water mages, or serving as an envoy for the Swamp Camp.
  • Quest Forfeits: Joining a faction means you'll automatically miss out on some quests related to the other camps. If you choose the New Camp, for instance, you might fail quests like Casting Shadows or Out of Sight that are tied to the other factions.
  • Faction-Specific Gear: Each faction provides unique starting armor that can be upgraded as you progress. The Old Camp gives Shadow Armour, which can be upgraded to the stronger Warder Armour. The New Camp offers the Bandit's Dress, while the Swamp Camp starts you with Novice Armour. Although the Swamp Camp's robes offer less protection, all armor sets can be upgraded with enough money or by climbing the ranks within your faction.
  • Promotion Paths: Each faction offers different progression routes. The Old Camp allows you to become a Warder or Fire Mage, the New Camp offers the chance to become a Mercenary or Water Mage, and the Swamp Camp leads to the path of a Templar.

The Old Camp

The Old Camp is the first faction you'll encounter, thanks to Diego's assistance when you're first thrown into the penal colony. This makes it an attractive option for many players, especially since the fire mages you need to speak to for the main quest are already located within the castle.

If you're aiming for a pure mage build, the Old Camp is the best choice. It provides easy access to fire magic through the The Price of Magic quest, and the Warder gear you receive is strong and practical. Additionally, the Old Camp is centrally located, making it the most convenient option with plenty of vendors and trainers available.

The New Camp

The New Camp is a group of bandits and mercenaries hiding out in the hills, and it offers the most unique and immersive base design. While the introductory quests to join the New Camp may be a bit tedious, they provide a great opportunity to earn ore, which is the in-game currency.

One of the main advantages of the New Camp is the ability to become a Water Mage, which is a fun and interesting path for magic-focused players. However, it may take longer to reach this rank compared to the Old Camp's fire magic. The New Camp also has a variety of trainers available, including lockpicking, one-handed combat, and archery, and you can even obtain a free armor set from the Free Mine located behind their base.

The Swamp Camp

The Swamp Camp is a cult devoted to "the Sleeper," and they reside in the marshes to the northeast. Unlike the other two factions, the Swamp Camp doesn't have a clear plan for escaping the penal colony beyond hoping their god will intervene. Despite being expanded upon in the Gothic Remake, the Swamp Camp remains the least fleshed-out of the three factions.

However, it still offers some useful trainers, including a cultist who can teach you how to climb. You don't even need to join the faction to access these trainers—just bribe him with drugs. While the Swamp Camp isn't the best option for a pure mage build due to limited access to powerful spells, they do have a magic vendor. If you're looking to build a spellsword character, the Swamp Camp can still be a viable choice.