Can you switch sides in war in heaven?

[Juboboman]

So I've never actually gotten the war in heaven to happen. But in my current game it's looking likely. The militant xenophobe on the other end of the galaxy just woke up and is borders with the xenophile FE which I read makes the war in heaven starting pretty soon likely.

My understanding is when it happens I have the option of picking either side of remaining neutral. I would like to remain neutral for a few decades to build up my forces as I think I'll be strong enough to tip the tide by then, however my question is will it be possible to hop on board against the xenophobe AE at that point? Or does whatever choice you initially make stick forever?

Edit: Bonus question: The other two sleeping fallen empires are on my borders. Is there a chance they will awaken also eventually so I should take them out now? Or does only one empire awaken on it's own (ie not part of the war in heaven) per game?

 

[Cat Crusade]

As per my experience, only two fallen empires participate in the war in heaven. You get the initial choice to pick a side but that doesn't bind you to switch later, although other things like being vassalized by the awakened empire may make switching sides difficult. Also picking neutral might make it hard to switch sides to one of the awakened empires as there might be a 'refused vassalization' modifier that's going to take a while to go down enough to make the request.

Keep in mind you don't have 3 but 4 options though. Either of the two fallen empires, independent alliance or on your own. Just watch out, not too long ago the choice during the events tended to cause issues with your own vassals and it broke my federation as well while not aligning me the way I picked.