Ready to dive into the vast universe of Starfield? Before you get lost among the stars, make sure to tackle these must-do side quests that not only enrich your journey but also reward you with legendary gear, powerful starships, and unforgettable stories. From the perilous “Lair of the Mantis” promising a full set of legendary armor and a free ship, to the intriguing “First Contact” with its compelling narrative, these early side quests set the tone for an epic adventure across the galaxy. Whether you’re exploring New Atlantis or venturing into unknown systems, these quests are your gateway to mastering Starfield’s sprawling cosmos.
With so much to do, it’s hard to decide where to go first. Sure, all side quests will reward you some XP, but the very best missions will get other sweet rewards like weapons, spacesuits, or in rare cases even ships. And because Starfield isn’t all about violence, there are some missions that offer no prizes other than a fascinating narrative or closer look into the game’s lore – still worth your time, even if you don’t get a shiny new gun. We’ve compiled a list of the best side quests to tackle first in Starfield.
’Defensive Measures,’ ’False Positives,’ and ’Leader of the Pack’
The Akila City side questline in Starfield begins with Defensive Measures, where you intervene in a heated debate between veteran guard Davis Wilson and inventor Keoni Alpin about how to protect the city from the dangerous Ashta. Completing this mission unlocks False Positives, which continues the story by following up on Keoni’s new countermeasures, involving more investigation and legwork to address the threat. After waiting at least 24 in-game hours post-False Positives, you can start Leader of the Pack, the concluding mission of this trilogy, where you check on Davis Wilson’s well-being and resolve the tensions in Akila City, earning substantial rewards including credits and experience points. This questline offers a rich narrative with meaningful choices and is recommended early in the game for its engaging story and valuable rewards.
Where to find it: In Akila City on Akila in the Cheyenne system
How to start it: Talk to Davis Wilson and Keoni Alpin in Akila City
This trio of Misc missions become available when you head to Akila City for the “Empty Nest” main mission. It sparks a quest chain containing the similarly worthwhile “False Positives” and “Leader of the Pack” missions. All three take place not too far from the city walls (though you do have to run back and forth across the city a bunch) and none of the enemies are terribly difficult (they’re all the native Ashta creatures from Akila).
Better yet, your reward at the end of all the running around is the Ashta Tamer Rare heavy weapon that fires incendiary rounds.
’A Tree Grows in New Atlantis’
The side quest “A Tree Grows in New Atlantis” in Starfield is an early activity that players can start by finding a scientist named Kelton Frush in the Commercial District of New Atlantis. Kelton is concerned about a large tree whose interior is liquifying and may collapse, posing a threat to the city. Players are tasked with collecting bio-sensors placed around New Atlantis to gather data on the tree’s condition. This quest offers 2,000 credits and 100 XP as rewards and unlocks a follow-up mission called “Out On A Limb.” It provides insight into the scientific and political lore of New Atlantis without involving combat, making it a great introductory side quest to explore the city and its environment.
Where to find it: In New Atlantis, by the giant tree near The Lodge
How to start it: Talk to Kelton Frush
Not every mission in Starfield is violent, and “A Tree Grows in New Atlantis” is proof. Perhaps one of the earliest examples of a nonviolent quest, you’re tasked with. helping a tree chill out. It “A Tree Grows in New Atlantis,” and its subsequent quests, “Late Bloomer” and “Out on a Limb,” throw you right into the middle of the fascinatingly petty interstellar politics of Starfield’s scientific community. Put your points into the Persuade skill before starting!
’First Contact’
The “First Contact” side quest in Starfield places you in the role of a diplomat mediating between colonists from Earth seeking to settle on a new colony and the corporate board aiming to maximize profits. Starting in the Porrima system, you encounter a mysterious ship in distress and, after docking, are tasked with helping the settlers establish themselves on Paradiso. The mission offers multiple outcomes: convincing the settlers to accept the initial deal, purchasing a Grav Drive to relocate them elsewhere, or taking a more ruthless approach by sabotaging their efforts. Each choice carries different rewards and consequences, making “First Contact” a pivotal early side quest that blends narrative depth with meaningful player agency.
Where to find it: In the orbit of Porrima II in the Porrima system
How to start it: By hailing the ECS Constant.
Maybe you read AELGAMES’s Starfield review and wondered which side quest our colleague Nicole Carpenter was talking about when describing “a storyline that’s interesting enough to hang an entire game on”:
I soon found a massive ship hovering within a planet’s orbit, but there was no way to communicate with it from the surface; turns out, it was a vessel that left Earth 200 years ago. The people on the ship, generations that had lived and died within the confines of its hull, believed themselves to be alone in the world, the only survivors of Earth’s demise.
Wonder no longer: It’s “First Contact.” Nicole is 10,000% correct, by the way. This side quest features one of the most riveting plotlines in Starfield. (Don’t get intimidated by Porrima’s high level and put it off. This mission is mostly just talking!)
The Lair of the Mantis
The Lair of the Mantis is a highly rewarding side quest in Starfield that players can access relatively early, typically around level 10 to 15. To unlock it, you must defeat a group of roaming Spacers and find a “Secret Outpost!” datapad, which sets you on the path to the quest. The mission involves navigating a hidden facility on Denebola I-b, overcoming tough enemies and solving a challenging floor puzzle. Despite its difficulty, the quest offers exceptional rewards, including a full set of Legendary armor, valuable weaponry, and a powerful starship called the Razorleaf. Completing this quest early provides a significant boost to your gear and capabilities, making it one of the best side quests to tackle soon after starting the game.
Where to find it: During the “Back to Vectera” mission
How to start it: By acquiring the “Secret Base!” base note slate off a space pirate’s corpse
You’ll probably find a note about the Mantis’ secret hideout during the “Back to Vectera” mission. The system it points you to is pretty high-level, but don’t hold off on tackling the “Mantis” secret outpost mission for too long. The reward at the end is a powerful suit and a great spaceship.
’Run the Red Mile’
The “Run the Red Mile” side quest in Starfield offers a thrilling and challenging combat trial located in the ungoverned Porrima system. Players sign up for a deadly bloodsport event at the Red Mile casino, where they must race up a treacherous, enemy-infested path to activate a beacon and then make their way back to safety while fending off relentless attacks from tough creatures called Red Mile Maulers. This intense challenge tests both combat skills and endurance, rewarding successful participants with credits and valuable loot. The quest also ties into the Freestar Collective storyline, providing key narrative connections and opportunities for further exploration in the game.
Where to find it: By heading to the Red Mile on Porrima III in the Porrima system
How to start it: By speaking to Mei in the Red Mile
While you’re in the Porrima system visiting the resort town of Paradiso or checking out the “First Contact” mission, head over to Porrima III. There, you’ll find the Red Mile settlement. It’s more of an off-the-books kind of place than you’ll usually visit in Starfield – and you can buy ship parts there if you want to smuggle goods.
Want to discover the hidden rewards that can give your early game a huge boost in Starfield
To give your early game in Starfield a massive boost, uncover the hidden side quest “The Mantis,” triggered by finding a secret outpost data slate during the Groundpounder quest. Completing this mission rewards you with a full set of legendary Mantis armor that grants powerful stealth abilities like the chameleon buff, making you nearly invisible when standing still-ideal for stealth builds-and some of the best weapons you’ll find early on. Additionally, joining the Crimson Fleet early without getting arrested offers another path to becoming overpowered quickly. Exploring asteroid fields to mine resources and using buffs like the well-rested bonus or alien tea can further accelerate your progression and XP gain. These hidden rewards and strategies are key to dominating Starfield’s vast universe from the start.
What is the secret mission that can make your early game overpowered in Starfield
The secret mission that can make your early game overpowered in Starfield is called The Mantis. It is triggered by finding a hidden data slate titled “Secret Outpost!” during the Groundpounder quest in the Altair system. Completing The Mantis questline rewards you with a full set of legendary Mantis armor, including a spacesuit and helmet, which grants powerful stealth abilities such as the chameleon buff that makes you nearly invisible when standing still. This armor set, combined with strong weapons found along the way, gives you a significant advantage early in the game, making your character effectively overpowered.
