Should you pick Microbe or Aceles in Starfield?

The final mission of the UC Vanguard questline in Starfield challenges you with an important choice. Terrormorphs have threatened humans long enough. With the possibility of another dangerous outbreak, they must be dealt with for good. You have to choose how the beasts are removed, either by extermination or via Mother Nature. Choosing between the Microbe or Aceles option in Starfield is daunting, so we’ll walk you through what happens.

You learn about both choices a little over halfway through the Vanguard questline. But you don’t have to pick right away. The game gives you enough time to mull over the options as you collect the Aceles gene samples and return home. Eventually, you will find yourself standing in front of the UC Council and be asked to weigh in. Strange how it always falls to you doesn’t it?

Microbe or Aceles: What choice is best?

Everyone is waiting for you to choose the Microbe or Aceles option in Starfield. So, which one is right for the universe? As a recap, the microbes will wipe out the Terrormorphs completely, but unleashing it may pose issues down the line. The Aceles are creatures powerful enough to hunt and destroy Terrormorphs, and history shows they’re passive. However, they’re much slower to deal with the beasts and there may be some casualties before the threat is better contained. No matter your choice, the result is pretty much the same. You still get your rewards for completing the questline.

Choosing the microbe supposedly wipes out all Terrormorphs from the game. Since I only encountered one a single time in my 65-ish hours (not including the Vanguard missions), I probably wouldn’t have realized they were ever gone.

I went with the Aceles, and the only thing I noticed at the time was my companion Sam Coe agreeing with the decision while commenting on one of his future dumps. Fun guy, that Sam. Starfield players have noted that Aceles do appear on other worlds if you choose them as the option. You can find them roaming about and apparently sometimes with UC Vanguard at their side.

If you return to the Lodge, some of the Constellation members will offer a comment. Most seem unhappy if you go with the Aceles option. They are scientists, after all. So far, it seems Sam is the easiest to please. He agrees with the Aceles choice and is neutral over the Microbes.