Best Side Quests Worth Doing


Starfield - Best Side Quests Worth Doing

There are several side quests and missions that are worth doing to unlock special rewards like rare armor and weapons, unlock achievements, and companion romances in Starfield. Learn about the best side quests to do first and what side quests are worth doing!

Best Side Quests to Do

Best Side Quests

Quest Name Location Rewards
In Memoriam Jemison, Alpha Centauri EXP: 250
Sarah Romance
Divided Loyalties Random EXP: 250
Andreja Romance
Mantis Denebola I-B, Denebola EXP: 200
Razorleaf Ship
Mantis Space Helmet (x1)・Mantis Spacesuit (x1)・Mantis Pack (x1)
A Tree Grows in New Atlantis Jemison, Alpha Centauri EXP: 100
Groundpounder Altair II, Altair System EXP: 300
Peacekeeper (x1)
First Contact Porrima II, Porrima EXP: 300
Modified XM-2311
Burden of Proof Jemison, Alpha Centauri EXP: 50
Memento Mori
Leader of the Pack Akila, Cheyenne System EXP: 100
Despondent Assassin (x1)
9x39MM (x34)
Run the Red Mile Porrima III, Porrima EXP: 100
Brute Force (x1)
15X25 CLL Shotgun Shell (x22)
Overdesigned Jemison, Alpha Centauri EXP: 200
Kepler R (x1)
Kepler S (x1)
Tourists Go Home Titan, Sol System EXP: 50
Monster Costume
Operation Starseed Charybdis III, Charybdis EXP: 300
Amelia Earhart
Due in Full Jemison, Alpha Centauri EXP: 50 (x4)
Solace (x1)
Peacemaker Ixyll II, Ixyll EXP: 50
Peacemaker
Start-up Stopped Mars, Sol System EXP: 100
Riot Shotgun
Infinity's End Oborum III, Oborum Prime EXP: 200
The Last Priest

In Memoriam or Divided Loyalties Opens Up Romances

Starfield - Romance Options.png

For those planning on starting a romance with a companion and getting married, complete companion questlines like In Memoriam to romance Sarah Morgan or Divided Loyalties for Andreja.

Marrying a companion will also unlock the Starcrossed Achievement.

All Romance Options

A Tree Grows in New Atlantis Delves Deep into Lore

Starfield  - A Tree Grows in New Atlantis
A Tree Grows in New Atlantis is a simple quest that does not involve any combat or complicated choices. Instead, it is a great side quest that provides you some context into Starfield's political and scientific lore.

A Tree Grows in New Atlantis Rewards and How to Unlock

First Contact has the Best Plot

Starfield - First Contact - Sugiyama.png

If you are looking for the side quest with the best and most memorable plot, prepare to be engaged in the storyline of the First Contact quest.

Here you will find a ship full of people who came from Earth and thought they were the last humans in the whole galaxy.

First Contact Mission Rewards and How to Unlock

Leader of the Pack Rewards You with a Legendary Weapon

Starfield - Alpha Ashta

Despondent Assassin is not only a great Rifle and one of the best scoped weapons in the game, but it is also a legendary weapon. You will receive this as a reward for finishing the Leader of the Pack side quest, which is fairly straightforward and easy to access.

Leader of the Pack Rewards and How to Unlock

Get a Strong Shotgun from Run the Red Mile

Starfield - Enter the Red Mile

Run the Red Mile is a great early game side quest as it rewards you with the Brute Force shotgun, an exceptional weapon that will come in handy in your playthrough, and some ammo.

Run the Red Mile Rewards and How to Unlock

Meet Historical Figures in Operation Starseed

Starfield - Franklin Roosevelt.png

Operation Starseed is a late game side quest that gives players the opportunity to meet clones of famous historical figures like Franklin Roosevelt, Genghis Khan, and Amelia Earhart! The quest is heavy on choices, but has a good storyline, and you can even recruit Amelia as a companion by the end of the quest!

Operation Starseed Walkthrough and Choices

Get a Free Ship in Overdesigned

Starfield - Overdesigned Persuade Jules for a Bigger Budget
You can get a free ship in Overdesigned, the Kepler R. It is currently the ship with the largest cargo capacity, meaning you can store a lot of items inside without having to sell and clear them frequently!

You can also get the Kepler S, but that will depend on your choice's result during the quest!
Overdesigned Walkthrough and Choices

Groundpounder, Due in Full, Peacemaker, and Start-up Stopped for More Weapons

Quests Weapon Rewards
Groundpounder Peacekeeper (Rifle)
Due in Full Solace (Pistol)
Peacemaker Peacemaker (Rifle)
Start-Up Stopped Riot Shotgun

You can get additional weapons to aid you with exploration and other quests through Groundpounder, Due in Full, Peacemaker, and Start-Up Stopped. These quests are also relatively short, except for Groundpounder, meaning you can get and use them fast!

Unlock Other Quests as You Progress on Burden of Proof

The objective in Burden of Proof, the evidence, is mostly part of different quests or locked behind them. If you try to complete Burden of Proof, you will get access to these quests and also obtain their rewards if you finish them!
Burden of Proof Walkthrough

Best Side Quest Early Game

Mantis is the Best Side Quest to Do First

Quest Name Location Rewards
Mantis Denebola I-B, Denebola EXP: 200
Credits: 2000
・Mantis Set and Ship

Mantis is the best side quest to complete early on in the game as you can do the quest right away without having to even complete the second quest The Old Neighborhood.

The quest rewards players with the Legendary Mantis Helmet, Mantis Armor, and Mantis Pack, as well as the Razorleaf Starship which is a great early upgrade to the Frontier!

Mantis Quest Reward and Puzzle Solution

Tough But Doable Quest When Prepared

The recommended level for the quest is level 30 and the enemies are tough, but it is doable if you come prepared with enough ammo and a good amount of MedPacks for healing.

The Ballistics Combat Skill should be useful against a lot of the Spacers. Make sure to loot the laser weapons dropped by the Spacers to help deal with the robots you fight at the end.

Are Side Quests Worth Doing?

Worth it for Leveling and Gathering Resources

Starfield - Do the Main Quest to Unlock New Features

Most side quests reward you with EXP and credits. There are also side quests that grant you weapons, armor, and other valuable resources.

All of these rewards are useful for leveling up, crafting, and exploration.

How to Level Up and Farm Skill Points Fast

Increases Friendships With Companions

As you take on side quests across the galaxy, letting your companions tag along will slowly build your relationship with them. You can also do their unique personal quest line to further solidify your bond with them.

How to Increase Companion Affinity

Starts Romances with Companions

Once you raise your friendship high enough with a companion and complete their questline, you will have the option to start a romance with them and eventually marry them.

All Romance Options

Starfield Related Guides

Starfield - Side Quests
List of All Side Quests and Rewards

List of All Side Quests

Recommended Quests
In Memoriam Divided Loyalties
A Tree Grows in New Atlantis First Contact
Leader of the Pack Run the Red Mile
Operation Starseed Mantis
Groundpounder Peacemaker
Tourists Go Home Due in Full
Infinity's End Start-up Stopped
Burden of Proof Matters of the Hart
Other Quests
Spreading the News False Positives
Left Behind Alternating Currents
Beautiful Secrets Tapping the Grid
Out on a Limb Distilling Confidence
Missed the Mark Sure Bet
A Break at Dawn Missed Connections
Search and Seizure Defensive Measures
Dead Stop Red Tape Blues
Red Tape Runaround Red Tape Reclamation
Power From Beyond Juno's Gambit
Failure to Communicate Overdesigned
Saburo's Solution Special Delivery
Lost and Found Secret Lives
Loose Ends The Boot
Charity of the Wolf Beer Run
Media Sponge Fishy Business
Last Will and Testament Managing Assets
Supply Line Breach of Contract
Heart of Mars Late Bloomer
Apex Predator Two Tales Two Cities
Mob Mentality Primary Sources
Special Sauce Brownout
Top of the L.I.S.T. Rough Landings
Space Frog From Outer Space Runaway
Taste of Home Keeping the Peace
Pirate Activity Blast Zone
A Light in the Darkness Relief Run
All For One The Kindness of Strangers
Exorcism Bare Metal
Ghost Hunt The Great Laredo Caper
Dirty Laundry Superfan
Suspicious Activities Starsap Tours
Captain's Bounty Psyched
Gem Jealousy The Akila Run
Art Dealer Freight Fright
Re-Re-Application Unjustified
Winning Hearts and Minds Proper Tea Theft
Liquid Assets An Invitation
A Shipment for Salinas Olive Branch
UC Wants You! Worlds Apart
Terror Brew A Parting Gift
Reliable Care Refurbished Goods
The Bounty That Got Away Companion's Belongings
Last Resort Debt Forgiveness
Drinks on the House Hard Luck
Family Reunion Wanted Guest
Escape from the Endless Voyage Fueling Greatness
My North Star One Riot, One Ranger
Drydock Blues -

Best Side Quests Worth Doing

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