The content is based on what I've learned so far (after all, knowledge is power and it should be shared) in regards to the factions and more importantly, the game's currency, "drachma", or as I like to call it, "The Universal Language", and since it's my first guide, bear with me here.

I'll try to keep this as short as possible (that's what she said), but first, let me begin with the basics. By now, I'm sure most of you, if not all of you, have already met the two factions, namely the Athenians and the Spartans. Assassin's Creed: Odyssey takes place during the Peloponnesian War which has engulfed all of Greece and is a lengthy back and forth conflict between both Sparta and Athens, neither being able to overpower the other apparently.



And this is where you come in. (again, "that's what she said")
As a "misthios" (mercenary), you can and will tinker with the balance of power between the two factions, but will not be able to side with just one of them as you'll find out below.

In my view, however, I like to think that there are four factions, and not just two, in this specific order:

1 - You. (playing with either Alexios or Kassandra)

2 - Drachma. (the Greek currency, which I will be mentioning in its singular form to emphasize the official currency itself, rather than using its plural form, "drachmae", which simply turns its meaning into simple "money", as you'll most likely notice in the game)

3 - The Spartans. (having red as their defining color and my personal favorite faction)

4 - And last but not least, the Athenians. (having blue as their defining color)

Anyway, without further ado, let me start by answering what I consider to be five of the most important faction related questions that this guide aims to correctly answer:



Short answer - nope. The game does not allow you to side with just one faction throughout your playthrough, nor does it lock you to one specific faction.



Long (but technically off-topic) answer - yes. The only faction you should concern yourself with is #2 - "drachma".
After all, you are a mercenary, therefore helping both sides in the war (and ultimately helping yourself in the process) will grant you the best loot, depending on the situation, since the defending side in what are called "Conquest Battles" will offer less rewards than the attacking side. So you can pretty much fight freely for both sides, but most importantly, for whichever one pays better in that specific moment.



Of course you can. However, this will most likely impact your overall game experience and immersion.
For example, if you were to "side" with the Athenians, liberate a region from the Spartans and essentially give it to the Athenians, you might run into a Fort later (assuming you didn't already complete the region's Forts) that has special loot and XP to offer, but it would be occupied by your preferred side, the Athenians. What then?



Like with any other Forts, you would be forced to kill soldiers from your favorite faction, simply because they won't just let you stroll into the Fort so as to complete the region's objectives like "Loot Treasure" or "Burn War Supplies", even though you did just help them conquer the region...
And before you mention non-lethal takedowns, (which would still technically "hurt" your preferred side's soldiers when said takedowns would be inflicted upon them) just remember that some Fort objectives are to kill a Captain, Polemarch or whatnot. Or maybe you manage to get spotted inside the Fort and your side attacks you. Again, what then? You decided from the start to side with the Athenians, but are now forced to cut through some of them simply to complete the region's remaining Fort/Forts and/or objectives.

Therefore attempting to "side" with one faction is something I advise against.



Since we've established that you cannot choose sides, at least not in a permanent way so as to only be able to help just one faction, all you can do is try to "favor" one side but it will still be "open season" on both sides anyways (both factions will attack if you misbehave, and in turn, you are also free to attack either one of them) and, as stated above in question #2, you might run into some immersion breaking dilemmas.



So this means that...yeah, while free-roaming and whatnot, you are pretty much free to kill anything and anyone at any desired time, be it Spartans or Athenians. (or goats)

Again, attempting to "side" with one faction is something I advise against, same as in question #2.



Oh, there is indeed a purpose, and that purpose is to not only complete the Forts and ultimately make more money and gain XP as well (again, assuming you didn't already complete the region's Forts and objectives), but to also start "Conquest Battles" which in turn reward you handsomely. In the end, it's all up to you. Only you can decide if the faction you chose to "support" keeps the region or not simply by choosing for which side you fight in the "Conquest Battle" when an area is vulnerable. Though I would advise you to fight for the side that rewards you the most at the end (which will also most likely have a higher difficulty).



Just remember, you're not stuck with belonging to just one faction, and reducing faction authority or killing both Spartans and Athenians left and right has no consequences. In fact, you're not stuck with anything or anyone. You are a mercenary and drachma is your only "friend".



Possible? Perhaps. But probability takes us very near to impossibility, because there is a constant shifting in power between the two factions, which is how the Peloponnesian War actually played out, and this shifting happens with or without your help. Quite simply put, the war is dynamic and you don't have to do anything in that regard, because whether you like it or not and whether you do something about it or not (in the "Conquest Battles" I mentioned), the shifting takes place anyway, all the time and all over the map.
Today Spartans are victorious and ahead in the war. Tomorrow, though, who knows?


Huge, isn't it? - "That's what she said!" (last time I'm using that, I promise)

Coming back to the possibility of trying to accomplish such a huge task, you are certainly welcome to try, but it would very much imply spending a tremendous amount of time on your part in a potentially futile effort (that map...), not to mention the fact that in trying to achieve something like this, you would be putting yourself at a disadvantage when it might come to killing Leaders or pursuing any other enemy specific types of bounties, especially if the "enemy" would be the faction you're trying to help take over Ancient Greece.
But even all of this simply fades away in comparison to all the dynamic battles that are constantly taking place all over the map without you, which could, at any given time, ruin your big plan, should you try to pursue it.
THE ONLY thing remotely close to this endeavour would be to kill each and every leader on the whole map, thus enabling all available "Conquest Battles" (however, take note of the fact that Archidamos, the leader of Lakonia, CANNOT be killed) WITHOUT starting them immediately, and when you've unlocked them all, to start doing them one by one, though I guarantee that by the time you get to the third battle (maybe even the second), the game will have already begun balancing things out since everything is dynamic and while you're conducting the demise of one region, another may have already had its "Conquest Battle" provided by the game which could change the leader despite your previous efforts.
But all "negativity" aside, (though I should call it "reality") don't forget that in your overall struggle to try and make this happen, you'd most likely face dilemmas such as those mentioned in questions #2 and #3 respectively, and I really don't think anyone would want to break their immersion and experience merely to attempt a feat as grand and probably impractical as this one.

Many of us might have wanted to be able to side with just one faction, at least at some point in the game, but that is apparently not the case, and since we're mercenaries, why not act the part? This is a very well constructed role-playing game, so with all due respect, screw both factions and their war. We're only here to profit from any and all opportunities.



To us, as a "misthios", drachma is the only ally we need! No hard feelings, no drama - just drachma.

Now then, if any of you already had this information, if I missed something or you notice any inaccuracies, then I apologize in advance for not being of much help, or of any help at all for that matter, and I urge you to comment with any thoughts and/or suggestions.
But hopefully this guide will help at least a few people out there who are new to this incredible game.

Thank you for taking the time to read what is, again, my first ever Steam guide.
GAME ON! - and remember:

If you've found this particular guide useful, then consider checking out my other guides as well.