| UFP | Game's starting empire. Friendly, unless offended (not easy to do). |
| Klingon Empire | Initially, very aggressive. Key turning point will be the defence of the Khitomer Outpost against Romulan attack. |
| Romulan Star Empire | Secretive, aggressive, but will run or self-destruct rather than be captured. Key turning point will be the Dominion war (?). |
| Ferengi Alliance | Primarily a merchant race, interested in proft over all else. Will fund wars and take part in illegal activities without guilt. |
| Cardassian Union | Aggressive, expanding into Bajoran territories, edges of UFP space. Key turning point will be UFP peace talks. Success will see the formation of the DMZ on the UFP-Cardassian borders and will give rise to a new group: the Maquis (Renegades), who attack either government in skirmishes and raids. |
| Dominion | Initially, aggressive against all ships/governments. No possibility of missions, refueling stops, etc. on any of the worlds in their space. First key turning point will be an alliance with the Cardassian Empire. |
| Borg | Very powerful and very hostile. Attacks everything it encounters. Always tries to disable and board ships instead of destroying them (will actually be accumulating wealth, but will appear as if it's assimating the crew). No local homeworld. |
| Renegades | Various groups (Maquis, Orion Syndicate, etc.). |
| Independents | Alliances can occur with UFP, if played right. Each such alliance can be a small mission, for those interested in playing diplomat. |
