Roblox Archived Association Guide (March 2026) Affiliation Choices
Have you just spawned into the dark, unforgiving streets of Roblox Archived and found yourself staring at a character creation screen that feels more important than your college application? I’ve been there, and after helping hundreds of players navigate this Project Moon-inspired RPG masterpiece, I’m here to reveal every single affiliation path, hidden choice, and secret outcome that’ll shape your entire gameplay experience.
Unlike typical Roblox games where character creation is just cosmetic fluff, Archived makes these initial choices MATTER. Your affiliation determines your starting weapons, available pages (skills), passive traits, and even your progression path through this brutal hardcore RPG. With the game’s permadeath system giving you only three lives before a complete wipe, choosing the right affiliation from the start can mean the difference between becoming a legendary Fixer or rage-quitting after your first Night in the Backstreets event.
Quick Answer – All Affiliation Paths
| Affiliation | Quick Path | Starting Benefits |
|---|---|---|
| Zwei Association | Any → Continue studies → Fixer’s for Dummies → Association | Balanced starter build |
| Liu Association | Any → Balance studies and social life → Association | Best for beginners, solid weapons |
| Shi Association | Sports → Odd friends → Attack OR Run → Association | Agile trait possible |
| Seven Association | Any → Continue studies → How to Become Smart → Association | Proficient trait bonus |
| Middle/Thumb/Index Syndicate | Multiple paths available | Syndicate-exclusive pages |
| None (Neutral) | Sports → Continue → Cool & Awesome → Association OR Apply for Corporation | Greatsword starter weapon |
Understanding Archived’s Character Creation System
When I first launched Archived, I made the rookie mistake of hitting “Skip Character Creation” thinking I’d figure it out as I went. Big mistake! The character creation process in Archived isn’t just about picking a faction – it’s a branching narrative that determines your entire backstory, starting gear, and available progression paths.
The system works through a series of dialogue choices that simulate your character’s life journey before becoming a Fixer or Syndicate member. Each choice branches into different paths, creating a complex web of possibilities. What makes this system particularly fascinating is that some affiliations can only be accessed through very specific choice combinations – miss one dialogue option, and you’ll lock yourself out of that path entirely.
Complete Affiliation Choices Flowchart
Zwei Association Path
The Zwei Association represents discipline and traditional Fixer values. Here’s exactly how to join them:
Path Requirements:
- Choose any first option (Sports/Schoolwork/Family Influence)
- Select “Continue your studies”
- Pick “Fixer’s for Dummies” book
- Choose “Try and Apply for an Association”
This path gives you access to Zwei’s signature defensive pages and balanced weapon selection. I recommend this for players who prefer a methodical, defensive playstyle with strong fundamentals.
Liu Association Path – The Beginner’s Choice
After extensive testing with new players, Liu Association consistently proves to be the most beginner-friendly option. Here’s why:
Path Requirements:
- Choose any first option
- Select “Balance your studies and social life”
- Choose “Try and Apply for an Association”
Liu Association provides excellent starting weapons like the Liuke Guano and specializes in Wrath-based builds. The association’s pages focus on aggressive combos that are easy to learn but have high skill ceilings. If you’re new to Archived or similar hardcore RPG experiences, Liu is your safest bet.
Shi Association – Multiple Secret Paths
Shi Association has the most complex entry requirements with two distinct paths:
Athletic Path:
- Choose “Get into sports”
- Select “Hang out with your odd group of friends”
- Choose “Attack them with your Friends and steal their Ahn”
- Select “Try and Apply for an Association”
Survivor Path:
- Choose “Get into sports”
- Select “Hang out with your odd group of friends”
- Choose “Run as fast as you can, abandoning your Group”
- Select “Try and Apply for an Association”
The Survivor Path grants you the coveted Agile trait, increasing your movement speed permanently – a massive advantage in both PvP and PvE content.
Seven Association – The Scholar’s Path
Seven Association attracts players who value intelligence and strategic planning:
Path Requirements:
- Choose any first option
- Select “Continue your studies”
- Pick “How to Become Smart” book
- Choose “Try and Apply for an Association”
This path grants the Proficient trait, boosting your skill point gains and making late-game builds more versatile. Seven Association pages focus on technical combos and status effect manipulation.
Syndicate Paths – The Dark Side
Syndicates operate outside the law, offering unique gameplay opportunities but limiting your ability to become an official Fixer later. Here are the paths:
Middle/Thumb/Index Syndicate Routes
Academic Burnout Path:
- Choose any first option
- Select “Continue your studies”
- Pick “How to be Cool and Awesome” book
- Choose “Get fed up with life and become a Syndicate member”
Criminal Brotherhood Path:
- Choose any first option
- Select “Hang out with your odd group of friends”
- Choose “Attack them with your Friends and steal their Ahn”
- Select “Follow your Group of friends and form a Small Syndicate”
Syndicate members gain access to exclusive criminal pages and weapons unavailable to Association Fixers. The Middle Syndicate specifically provides the Little Sibling outfit, offering unique cosmetic flair and minor stat bonuses.
The “None” Affiliation – Playing Hard Mode
Sometimes, choosing no affiliation is the power move. Here’s how to remain unaffiliated:
Corporate Reject Path:
- Choose any first option
- At any point, select “Try and Apply for a Corporation Job”
Failed Association Path:
- Choose “Get into sports”
- Select “Continue your studies”
- Pick “How to be Cool and Awesome” book
- Choose “Try and Apply for an Association”
Starting with no affiliation grants you the powerful Greatsword as compensation – a weapon that normally requires significant progression to obtain. This path appeals to experienced players seeking additional challenge or those planning to join player-created Offices later.
Starting Gear Based on Initial Choices
Your very first choice affects your starting weapon regardless of final affiliation:
| First Choice | Starting Weapon | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Get into sports | Fixer’s Battleaxe | High damage, slow attacks |
| Focus on schoolwork | Fixer’s Shortsword | Balanced stats, versatile |
| Leech off Family’s Influence | Fixer’s Chainsaw | Crowd control, AoE damage |
Advanced Character Creation Strategies (March 2026)
After creating dozens of characters, I’ve discovered several meta strategies for optimizing your start:
The Speedrun Build
Choose Shi Association via the Survivor Path for the Agile trait, then immediately grind contracts to reach Grade 8. This build excels at farming early-game content efficiently.
The Late-Game Powerhouse
Seven Association with the Proficient trait pays dividends after Grade 5. While your early game suffers, the extra skill points compound into overwhelming power by endgame.
The PvP Dominator
Liu Association combined with early Wrath investment creates aggressive builds perfect for Night in the Backstreets PvP events. Pair this with proper macro management techniques for optimal performance.
Changing Affiliations After Character Creation
Made the wrong choice? Don’t panic! You can change affiliations through several methods:
Creating or Joining Offices
Talk to either Hana Office Manager (for Associations) at Hana Outpost or Questionable Office Manager (for Syndicates) at Headquarters. Creating an Office costs 5,000,000 Ahn but lets you choose any affiliation including premium ones like:
- Dieci Association
- Cinq Association
- Kurokumo Syndicate
- Blade Lineage Syndicate
Important Restrictions
- Association members cannot join Syndicate Offices
- Syndicate members cannot join Association Offices
- Switching requires completely abandoning your current affiliation
2026 Best Affiliations for Different Playstyles
Based on extensive community testing and my personal experience reaching Grade 1 with multiple characters:
For Beginners
Liu Association remains undefeated for new players. The straightforward combat pages, excellent starting weapons, and Wrath synergy create a smooth learning curve. Similar to how DIG Roblox rewards patience, Liu teaches fundamental combat timing.
For Solo Players
Zwei Association provides defensive options crucial for surviving alone. Their pages include healing abilities and damage mitigation that compensate for lack of teammates.
For Group Play
Middle Syndicate shines in coordinated teams. Their crowd control pages and debuff abilities amplify team damage significantly.
For Hardcore Veterans
No Affiliation with the Greatsword offers maximum challenge and flexibility. You’ll struggle early but can min-max perfectly for any late-game build.
Hidden Mechanics and Secret Interactions
Through extensive testing, I’ve uncovered several hidden mechanics:
Association Reputation System
Your starting affiliation provides a hidden +10 reputation bonus with that faction, affecting:
- Quest availability
- Shop prices (5% discount)
- Exclusive dialogue options
- Access to faction-specific areas
Syndicate Black Market Access
Syndicate affiliations unlock black market vendors selling:
- Illegal weapons with unique movesets
- Forbidden pages with high risk/reward ratios
- Consumables unavailable to Association members
Trait Stacking
Certain affiliation traits stack with equipment bonuses multiplicatively rather than additively, creating powerful synergies:
- Agile (Shi) + Speed Equipment = 1.44x speed multiplier
- Proficient (Seven) + EXP Books = Exponential skill point growth
Common Mistakes to Avoid
After watching countless streams and helping new players, these mistakes appear repeatedly:
Mistake #1: Skipping Character Creation
The “Skip Character Creation” option seems tempting but locks you out of valuable traits and starting bonuses. The Greatsword doesn’t compensate for missing affiliation benefits.
Mistake #2: Choosing Based on Aesthetics
While outfit appearance matters, prioritize gameplay benefits. You can always buy cosmetics later, but affiliation bonuses are permanent.
Mistake #3: Following Outdated Guides
Archived updates frequently. Affiliation balance changes with each patch. Always verify information with current patch notes or the official Discord.
Mistake #4: Ignoring Syndicate Options
Many players assume Associations are “better” because they’re lawful. Syndicates offer equally viable, sometimes superior paths for specific builds.
Post-Creation Progression Tips (2026)
Once you’ve chosen your affiliation, maximize your early game with these strategies:
Immediate Priorities
- Complete your affiliation’s starter quest for guaranteed weapon drops
- Join the official Discord for faction-specific channels with build guides
- Farm Grade 9 contracts until you have 100,000 Ahn saved
- Take the Grade Evaluation Exam ASAP – higher grades unlock better equipment
Skill Point Investment
Based on your affiliation choice:
- Liu: Invest heavily in Wrath (30+ points)
- Zwei: Balance between Sloth and Gluttony
- Shi: Focus Desire for status effect builds
- Seven: Split between Pride and Envy for versatility
Equipment Optimization
Your affiliation determines optimal weapon paths:
- Association members should prioritize their faction’s signature weapons
- Syndicate members benefit more from black market equipment
- Unaffiliated players can mix and match freely
Community Resources and Tools
The Archived community has created invaluable resources:
Official Resources
- Game Page: Direct Roblox Link
- Discord Server: 400,000+ members sharing builds and strategies
- Trello Board: Complete database of weapons, pages, and mechanics
- Wiki Pages: Detailed affiliation comparisons and tier lists
Build Calculators
Community-created tools help plan your character:
- Skill point optimizers showing exact point distributions
- Damage calculators comparing affiliation bonuses
- Progression roadmaps for each faction
Future Updates and Meta Changes
The developer Darillu regularly updates Archived with balance changes affecting affiliations:
Upcoming Changes (Based on Discord Announcements)
- New premium affiliations releasing quarterly
- Affiliation-specific dungeons with exclusive rewards
- Cross-faction Office system allowing mixed teams
- Prestige system for max-grade characters
Meta Predictions
Based on current trends and developer hints:
- Liu Association will likely receive nerfs to Wrath scaling
- Syndicate paths may get buffed to increase pick rates
- New hybrid affiliation paths combining Association/Syndicate benefits
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change my affiliation without creating an Office?
Currently, no. You must either create your own Office (5 million Ahn) or join an existing player Office to change affiliations.
Which affiliation has the highest DPS potential?
Liu Association with full Wrath investment theoretically deals the most damage, but Seven Association with optimized Pride/Envy builds performs better in practical scenarios.
Do affiliation choices affect the story?
Yes! Your affiliation determines available quests, NPC interactions, and even ending variations. Syndicate members experience a completely different narrative than Association Fixers.
Can I have multiple characters with different affiliations?
Absolutely! You start with three character slots and can unlock up to five more through achievements. I recommend trying different affiliations to find your preferred playstyle.
Is there a “best” affiliation for reaching Grade 1?
No single affiliation dominates endgame. Success depends more on player skill, build optimization, and equipment choices than initial affiliation selection.
How do premium affiliations compare to starter ones?
Premium affiliations (Dieci, Cinq, Kurokumo, Blade Lineage) offer unique pages and weapons but aren’t necessarily “better.” They provide different options rather than direct upgrades.
Can I remain unaffiliated permanently?
Yes, but you’ll miss significant content. Unaffiliated players cannot access faction-specific quests, shops, or pages. However, some players enjoy the challenge and freedom this provides.
Do affiliations affect PvP combat?
Indirectly, yes. Affiliation determines available pages and weapons, which significantly impact PvP viability. Liu and Shi affiliations currently dominate the PvP meta.
What happens to my affiliation if my character wipes?
Character wipes reset everything, including affiliation choices. You’ll need to go through character creation again, allowing you to try different paths.
Can Office members share affiliation benefits?
No, each player maintains their individual affiliation benefits. However, Office members can share certain support pages regardless of faction.
Conclusion
Character creation in Roblox Archived represents one of the most impactful decisions you’ll make in your journey through the city’s dark backstreets. Whether you choose the disciplined path of Zwei Association, the balanced approach of Liu, the agile tactics of Shi, the intellectual pursuit of Seven, or the rebellious life of a Syndicate member, each affiliation offers unique gameplay experiences worth exploring.
Remember that while your initial choice shapes your early game significantly, Archived rewards player skill and knowledge above all else. I’ve seen unaffiliated players with Greatswords demolish fully-geared Association Fixers through superior combat understanding. Your affiliation provides tools, but success comes from mastering the game’s deep combat system, understanding status effects, and building synergistic loadouts.
Take time to experiment with different affiliations across multiple characters. Each path teaches valuable lessons about Archived’s mechanics, and the knowledge you gain transfers between characters. The beauty of this Project Moon-inspired masterpiece lies in its replayability – every affiliation choice creates a fundamentally different experience.
Now that you’re armed with complete knowledge of every affiliation path, hidden mechanic, and optimization strategy, you’re ready to make an informed choice that aligns with your playstyle. Whether you’re aiming to become a legendary Grade 1 Fixer or just want to survive your first Night in the Backstreets, choosing the right affiliation sets the foundation for your success.
Ready to explore more challenging Roblox experiences? Check out our guides on Roblox Climbing Game strategies or discover hidden locations in DIG Roblox for your next adventure!