Summary

• There is minimal impact on gameplay from faction choice in Gray Zone Warfare.
• Each faction has a base camp location, but little tactical variation.
• Players can now switch factions at a cost to play with friends and potential future unique faction elements.

Choosing between the factions of Gray Zone Warfare, the new PC extraction game, is a part of the game’s character creation, and as such, the choice does, unsurprisingly, have an impact on subsequent gameplay. Although in Early Access, the competitor to Escape From Tarkov is gaining popularity, with increasing numbers looking to weigh up their options before heading into battle. Its approach to in-game factions is just one part of this, but one that has already had something of an impact.

The factions in Gray Zone Warfare are a trio of Private Military Companies stationed on Lamang Island: Lamang Recovery Initiative, Mithras Security Systems, and Crimson Shield International. Each PMC comes with its own lore explaining its methodology, from the ostensibly philanthropic LRI to the deadly elite of CSI, and all are in deadly competition with their rivals. Naturally, the faction which somebody s does has an effect on the game itself, although it must be said that the differences are currently not as severe as they could be.

There Is Little Difference Between Gray Zone Warfare’s Factions

Faction Will Determine Base Location

In truth, there are relatively few consequences for choosing any given faction in Gray Zone Warfare. The game has some impressive features, including a health system that focuses on injured body parts rather than a simple health bar. Likewise, the factions are able to utilize an impressive array of weaponry, with an emphasis on customization to suit an individual playstyle. However, perhaps to facilitate this, there are currently no weapons or parts exclusive to one faction. Everybody, regardless of their allegiance, has equal access to the full potential of the game’s arsenal.

On the other hand, it is worth noting that each PMC has its own base camp on Lamang Island. Lamang Recovery Initiative is based near the Northeastern town of Pha Lang, Mithras Security Systems, the Southern Nam Thaven, and Crimson Shield International, which is near the northwestern Kiu Vongsa. When exploring Lamang Island as a whole, the relative locations of each home base are something to keep in mind, particularly during PVP combat. However, aside from proximity to various other locations found across the island, there are few true tactical differences to be found when comparing one particular base to another.

Although the precise layout of each starting area differs, all three towns contain the same buildings and landmarks; for example, a medical building, water tower, and lumberyard are all points of commonality, allowing each player to complete the same basic quests.

Of course, given the Early Access status of Gray Zone Warfare, there is nothing to prevent more unique elements from emerging elsewhere for each faction in due course. For example, the game could eventually introduce some unique weapons and components depending on the faction and their divergent philosophies. This would immediately make the choice of faction far more impactful in of actual gameplay.

Choosing The Same Faction Is Important For Playing In A Group

Easily Swap Factions

It is important to note that of different factions cannot team up in Gray Zone Warfare, so people looking to play with friends should take care to ensure that everybody is a member of the same faction beforehand. Originally, this could be a strong barrier to fully enjoying the game, as it was initially impossible to change factions. Something that essentially locked many people out of playing alongside their friends. Now, however, a patch has changed this, allowing factions to be freely changed (albeit at a cost) and lessening the same barrier considerably.

In order to change factions, one must wipe their current character. This can be done from the main menu and naturally comes at the cost of all progress in the game to date. Although this can be seen as harsh, it does seem a reasonable compromise. Defection should obviously not be encouraged, even as it is now allowed to facilitate better multiplayer experiences. Of course, given the lack of true differentiation between factions at present, all this amounts to, in the end, lost time, which can be forgiven for providing the opportunity to play alongside friends.

Gray Zone Warfare is not the first an excellent new shooter game, even if its Early Access status means that some areas are in need of further development. The state of the game’s factions perhaps exemplifies this; all three are functionally identical, save for their base locations. Nevertheless, time could quickly bring greater differences between them, making the choice of Faction much more impactful.