Mantis
The Mantis side quest is likely to be found early in your journey, but it offers great rewards and a thrilling experience. Start by finding the “Secret Outpost!” note in the inventory of a random Spacer. This will lead you to Denebola I-B in the Denebola system, where Spacers are attempting to breach the Lair of the Mantis, a vigilante who has vanished. Completing this quest grants you a legendary spacesuit and starship, but prepare for a challenging encounter with level 25 enemies.
The legendary ship, the Razorleaf, is incredibly powerful and boasts Shielded Cargo, allowing you to smuggle contraband into secured areas without detection. For help navigating the lair’s puzzles and combat scenarios, consult a dedicated guide.
First Contact
First Contact might be light on prestigious rewards, but it boasts a captivating story. Begin by entering the orbit above Porrima II in the Porrima system. You’ll be contacted by the security chief of a nearby resort, who seeks your assistance regarding a large Unidentified Ship in orbit. Hail the vessel to discover their communication system is damaged. Whether you speak to the security chief or not, board the vessel and encounter a group with a compelling backstory.
The quest delves into the diverse ways people react to a community in need based on their vested interests. You have significant agency to influence the outcome. Choose to be helpful or less than helpful. You can earn valuable old-world artifacts and a silenced old-world pistol by aiding the colony ship, or an unlimited Hotel Paradiso resort pass by supporting the resort. The decision is yours.
Juno’s Gambit
Juno’s Gambit explores the ethics of Sentient AI, a common theme in sci-fi. This quest is somewhat difficult to initiate, as it appears randomly. Crowdsourced information indicates that it can occur while in the Tau Ceti system, orbiting Tau Ceti III, or in the Khayyam System above Khayyam II. You can try to trigger the quest by bouncing between these planets or reloading save files, but it might take time.
You’ll encounter an Eclipse starship targeting an unarmed cruiser. Destroy the Eclipse ship and board the cruiser to find two Ryujin Industries operatives discussing how to handle the talking screen in the middle of the room. This quest is short but fascinating, with a substantial backstory available through optional data logs. The resolution of the situation also depends on whether you’re already employed by Ryujin Industries, so consider completing the Back to the Grind mission in Neon beforehand to experience all aspects of this quest.
Tourists Go Home
Ever dreamt of terrifying astronauts by disguising yourself as a space monster in a bustling colony? This is the quest for you! On Titan, a moon of Saturn in the Sol System, you’ll find New Homestead, a rustic colony that attracts tourists. The local doctor, however, finds the visitors stressful. Offer your help, and she’ll provide you with a ridiculous Tardigrade outfit to wear, encouraging you to scare tourists into leaving. Complete the quest three times, and you’ll keep the outfit permanently, allowing you to scare anyone in the settled systems!
Space Frog From Outer Space
This short, simple quest rewards you with a cute decoration for your outposts. In Cydonia, a Martian city in the Sol System, speak with a young girl near the entrance to the Luxe Condominiums. She’ll ask you to place six Space Frog drawings around Cydonia. Follow the quest markers to place each drawing and return to her for a meager 12 credits and your new outpost decoration. The credits are nice, but it’s all about Space Frog!
The Audition
To gain a glimpse into Neon’s underbelly, join the Strikers Gang. In the Volii System, on Volii Alpha, find Neon, a city with a distinct atmosphere. Head from Neon Core to the less glamorous Ebbside and look for Madame Sauvage’s Place, a bar with a prominent yellow sign. The thumping club music and voiceover will confirm your arrival. Inside, speak with Andrea, who, after initial resistance, will introduce you to the gang leader.
You’ll embark on a series of escalating missions that pit you against The Disciples, the rival gang on Neon’s streets. Earn the Striker Maskwear apparel outfit and get to know the Strikers better. These missions offer opportunities for stealth, but if violence is your preference, you can still progress effectively.
The Colander
This quest isn’t officially listed as a Side Mission, but it’s incredibly engaging. Head to the Schrodinger System (use our Starfield map to find it) and locate a cruiser called The Colander drifting in front of you. Unlike other derelict ships, The Colander consistently orbits Schrodinger III. Once aboard, you’ll discover a disconcerting atmosphere, with missing crew members and non-functional lights.
The suspense lies in the mystery, so we won’t spoil too much, but be prepared to navigate the ship by opening hatches and accessing service tunnels. And don’t forget a powerful weapon for the potential dangers you might encounter.
Operation Starseed
We’ve saved the best for last. Like The Colander, Operation Starseed thrives on discovery, so we’ll provide minimal spoilers. Travel to the Charybdis system and locate a settlement called The Crucible on Charybdis III. This is all you need to begin, but to delve further, we need to discuss the quest…
At The Crucible, you’ll encounter a colony with its own factions, ethical dilemmas, and familiar faces. As none of these inhabitants can leave, they ask you to investigate “The Facility,” the mysterious source of clones and robots. This quest unravels a tragic tale, revealing the origins of this social experiment and offering a Fallout-esque experience. While you can find decent equipment throughout the quest, the primary reward is the chance to recruit one of these special figures as a permanent crew member. If you’re seeking that Old-Earth-charm, don’t miss Operation Starseed.
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