Summary
- Starfield's side missions offer hidden rewards and loot, proving that players can find valuable items outside the main missions.
- The Mantis quest rewards players with a legendary spacesuit and starship, making it one of the best free ships in the game.
- Groundpounder side mission in the Altair System offers combat opportunities and a chance to obtain The Peacekeeper, one of the strongest rifles in Starfield.
Some of Starfield's best stories feature within side missions found across the many solar systems in the galaxy. Players can also find the best rewards in Starfield within these hidden away side quests, proving that loot is not limited to just the main missions.
Bethesda has gone above and beyond in ensuring that players will take great joy in deviating from the main path and exploring to find the best side quests and the best rewards to help them along on their journey.
10 The Mantis
- Looted from random Spacers
This side quest is one of the earliest ones that players can find in the game and the rewards are worth it. Complete this quest and players will be rewarded with a legendary spacesuit and starship, the Razorleaf, which is one of the best free ships in Starfield. This quest can be started by looting the “Secret Outpost!” Note from any random Spacer who happens to be carrying it.
Upon reading this note players will be directed to go to Denebola I-B in the Denebola system, where Spacers are trying to crack into the Lair of the Mantis, a vigilante who hasn’t been seen for a while.
9 First Contact
- Orbit of Porrima 2
First Contact has an excellent story and can be started by flying into orbit above Porrima 2 in the Porrima system. As players arrive, they’ll be contacted by the security chief of the nearby resort who wants to discuss the large Unidentified Ship floating in orbit. Players will then board the vessel, and find a group with a surprisingly interesting backstory.
This side quest is a fascinating exploration of what different groups of people will do for a community in need depending on their vested interests. Players will be rewarded with 300 exp, 6500 credits, and a Modified XM-2311
8 The Colander
- Last Hope Saloon in New Atlantis
Players may find this side quest a little more challenging than the others on this list, but it’s worth it. By talking to the bartender at the Last Hope Saloon in the town of New Atlantis players will be told about a man named “The Colander” who has been causing a lot of trouble in the area. Alternatively, players can stumble upon the ship in the Schrodinger 3 system. As this is not a set side quest it can be difficult to miss and there are no credit or exp rewards.
However, once The Colander has been tracked down and taken care of players are free to search the spaceship and will find weapons and other high-value items that can be sold for credits.
7 Groundpounder
- Head to the Altair System
While traversing the Altair System, players will receive a distress call as a group of Spacers attack a small research station. This side mission offers some great combat opportunities for players which require quick thinking as the player must cycle through different weapons and strategies. This is also a good opportunity to pick up plenty of loot from fallen enemies.
Upon completing this side quest players will be rewarded with The Peacekeeper which is considered one of the strongest rifles in Starfield and definitely worth adding to one of the weapon/item shortcuts.
6 Tourists Go Home
- Located on Titan, a moon of Saturn
This quest requires players to have completed the Brownout side quest. In the Sol System players will find Titan, a moon of Saturn. Upon landing, head for the clinic to talk to a doctor called Giuliana who is annoyed at the local tourists who have been mocking Titan’s culture. She will give the player a monster costume.
Not only is this monster costume the tool with which this side quest will be completed, but it’s also part of the reward for finishing the side quest but only if you complete it three times.
5 Run The Red Mile
- Found at Porrima 3
Head on over to Porrima 3 to start this side quest in which the player must complete a challenge known locally as The Red Mile. By speaking to Mei players can sign themselves up for this challenge though she is not too keen on giving many details before this.
By killing the Red Mile Mauler enemies, players can help themselves to some great loot, and by managing to survive the whole ordeal they will be rewarded with the Brute Force shotgun which deals double damage when bashing enemies.
4 Leader Of The Pack
- Starts in Akila City
For those players going for a sniper build, Leader Of The Pack is definitely a side quest they will want to complete which starts in Akila City. Players must defend the city with Davis Wilson from a group of Ashta who are determined to feast on the city’s inhabitants.
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By managing to successfully defend the city, players will be rewarded with the Despondent Assassin sniper rifle along with some ammunition to use with it. Alongside this excellent long-range weapon players will be handed 4,800 credits and 100 exp for their efforts.
3 Red Tape Reclamation
- On Cydonia located on Mars
Some mining equipment has been stolen and needs to be returned. This is one of the easiest side quests in Starfield, but the rewards are surprisingly decent for the low effort involved. Players can even try to avoid combat altogether if they get lucky with the persuasion mechanic.
If players return the mining equipment they will be rewarded with the Deimos set which includes the Deimos Spacesuit, Deimos Space Helmet, Deimos cap, and Deimos Pack along with 50 iron and a handful of credits.
2 Operation Starseed
- Located on Charybdis 3
Possibly one of the most interesting side quests Bethesda has ever created, this quest will have the player traveling to a settlement on Charybdis 3 inhabited by three separate societies which are each led by a clone of a different historical figure: Ghengis Khan, Queen Amanirenas, and Franklin Roosevelt. Other historical figures also live within this settlement.
Depending on the answers that the player gives they will be rewarded with a different amount of credits and also have the opportunity to recruit Amelia Earhart to their crew!
1 Burden Of Proof
- Found on the UC Vigilante
It’s worth completing this side quest, but players should be aware that if they side with the Crimson Fleet this quest will no longer be available. Of course, there is the option to do this quest first, before siding with the Crimson Fleet!
By collecting at least 15 pieces of evidence and returning them to Lieutenant Toft during this side quest, players will be rewarded with the Memento Mori, a pistol whose damage increases the lower the player’s health gets and deals +30% damage on the next attack after hitting a target’s limbs.
Starfield
- Released
- September 6, 2023
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Bethesda
- Platform(s)
- PC, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
