I cannot seem to find any updated rules on the benefits of being in a faction. I found this 2018 DDAL Faction Guide but it is unclear if this is still an active guide in current AL rules?
from the season 11 FAQ: "CUSTOM FACTIONS - The omission of a set list of authorized factions is intentional to allow characters to become members of any faction they come across in their adventures. However, this has the added benefit of characters creating their own factions. Renown benefits are not available unless specifically a part of a storyline or adventure. Due to their pronounced role as villains in the Dreams of the Red Wizards series of adventures, the Red Wizards of Thay aren’t available as a faction."
so you can say you're in whatever faction you want, but there's zero benefits unless they're already built into the adventure (and since that's a very new rule, they're not unless the adventure was published in the last couple months and then there's only a remote chance that the author put something in). The FAQ saying 'added benefit of characters creating their own factions' is absurd imo as that benefit has no benefits. o.O
The guide to five factions linked in my sig might be useful if your DM allows it. Its balanced fairly closely to what the AL rules used to be (at least for renown lvls 1-2).
I know from the current Sept 2021 AL rules that as a player, I can pick a Faction to join.
I also understand that the starting factions are listed in appendix C in the Basic Rules.
I cannot seem to find any updated rules on the benefits of being in a faction. I found this 2018 DDAL Faction Guide but it is unclear if this is still an active guide in current AL rules?
from the season 11 FAQ: "CUSTOM FACTIONS - The omission of a set list of authorized factions is intentional to allow characters to become members of any faction they come across in their adventures. However, this has the added benefit of characters creating their own factions. Renown benefits are not available unless specifically a part of a storyline or adventure. Due to their pronounced role as villains in the Dreams of the Red Wizards series of adventures, the Red Wizards of Thay aren’t available as a faction."
so you can say you're in whatever faction you want, but there's zero benefits unless they're already built into the adventure (and since that's a very new rule, they're not unless the adventure was published in the last couple months and then there's only a remote chance that the author put something in). The FAQ saying 'added benefit of characters creating their own factions' is absurd imo as that benefit has no benefits. o.O
The guide to five factions linked in my sig might be useful if your DM allows it. Its balanced fairly closely to what the AL rules used to be (at least for renown lvls 1-2).
Guide to the Five Factions (PWYW)
A rather comprehensive list of free WotC D&D resources
Deck of Decks
Ah thanks HeathSmith! I did not think to look in the FAQ. That answers my question perfectly.