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What Are Side Missions and Why Do They Matter?
Side missions in Arc Raiders are smaller objectives scattered throughout each map. They can range from clearing out enemy outposts, collecting resources, rescuing NPCs, or completing time-limited challenges. Unlike main missions, which usually push the story forward, side missions are optional, but they offer rewards like experience points, gear, and crafting materials.
In practice, players often ignore side missions because they seem less exciting or slower than main story objectives. However, completing multiple side missions in a single run can often net more XP than finishing one or two main missions. Experienced players know that prioritizing side missions in every session is a key way to rank up efficiently.
How Do Side Missions Affect Your Rank?
Each side mission gives experience points based on difficulty, enemy level, and the number of objectives. Generally, smaller tasks give moderate XP, but chaining several side missions together can quickly surpass the XP earned from a single main mission. For example, clearing three enemy outposts and completing a rescue mission in the same map can often give as much or more XP than a single story mission.
Additionally, some side missions provide unique items that can improve your loadout, making later missions easier. Even if a mission seems minor, it can have a big impact on your overall progression because stronger gear lets you complete higher-level content faster.
Which Side Missions Should You Prioritize?
Not all side missions are equally valuable. Here’s what to focus on based on how players usually progress:
Experience shows that the way you tackle side missions matters almost as much as which missions you choose. Here are some practical strategies:
Both solo and team play are viable, but they have different efficiencies. Solo players can still complete side missions, but certain missions are designed for groups and will be slower or harder alone. Teams can clear high-level side missions much faster, which makes chaining missions more effective.
If you mostly play solo, focus on repeatable and resource-based missions that don’t require multiple players. If you have a consistent squad, coordinate to take on the highest-value missions together. Either approach works; the key is maximizing completed side missions per session.
How Do Rewards From Side Missions Compare to Main Missions?
Side missions usually give smaller individual rewards, but in aggregate, they often surpass main mission gains. They also provide useful items like gear, crafting materials, and occasionally rare weapons. Many players use these items to improve their character before tackling higher-level content.
A practical note: some players go as far as using side missions to acquire items they can sell arc raiders items for real money. While this isn’t part of normal progression, it shows the tangible value that side missions can provide beyond just XP. Even if you don’t plan to sell items, these missions still supply equipment that accelerates rank progression.
How Often Should You Focus on Side Missions?
Consistency matters more than completing every single side mission. Try to integrate side missions into your daily play sessions. Completing a few high-value missions each session is more effective than sporadically grinding dozens of lower-value missions. Experienced players often set a goal of finishing a certain number of side missions per day to maintain steady XP growth.
Common Mistakes When Using Side Missions to Rank Up
Side missions in Arc Raiders are smaller objectives scattered throughout each map. They can range from clearing out enemy outposts, collecting resources, rescuing NPCs, or completing time-limited challenges. Unlike main missions, which usually push the story forward, side missions are optional, but they offer rewards like experience points, gear, and crafting materials.
In practice, players often ignore side missions because they seem less exciting or slower than main story objectives. However, completing multiple side missions in a single run can often net more XP than finishing one or two main missions. Experienced players know that prioritizing side missions in every session is a key way to rank up efficiently.
How Do Side Missions Affect Your Rank?
Each side mission gives experience points based on difficulty, enemy level, and the number of objectives. Generally, smaller tasks give moderate XP, but chaining several side missions together can quickly surpass the XP earned from a single main mission. For example, clearing three enemy outposts and completing a rescue mission in the same map can often give as much or more XP than a single story mission.
Additionally, some side missions provide unique items that can improve your loadout, making later missions easier. Even if a mission seems minor, it can have a big impact on your overall progression because stronger gear lets you complete higher-level content faster.
Which Side Missions Should You Prioritize?
Not all side missions are equally valuable. Here’s what to focus on based on how players usually progress:
- High-XP Side Missions: Some missions are clearly labeled with higher XP rewards. Prioritize these, especially if the time commitment is reasonable.
- Resource-Based Missions: Missions that reward crafting materials or rare gear should not be ignored. Many players find they struggle with gear upgrades if they skip these tasks.
- Repeatable Daily/Weekly Tasks: These missions reset after a certain time. Completing them regularly is one of the fastest ways to accumulate XP over the long term.
- Team-Based Missions: If you play in a group, missions that benefit from multiple players can be completed faster and yield better rewards than solo missions. Coordinating with friends or squadmates here is often more efficient than running main missions alone.
Experience shows that the way you tackle side missions matters almost as much as which missions you choose. Here are some practical strategies:
- Plan Your Route: Before entering a map, look at where side missions are located. Prioritize those near your main mission objectives or close to each other to minimize travel time.
- Stack Missions: Take on multiple missions in the same area. This allows you to finish more objectives in a single run, which increases XP efficiency and saves resources.
- Use Fast Travel Wisely: Side missions are often scattered, so using fast travel between points can save a lot of time. Many players waste XP potential by running from one side mission to another inefficiently.
- Balance Risk and Reward: Some side missions have tougher enemies or environmental hazards. Gauge whether your current loadout and squad can handle it. Sometimes skipping a difficult side mission for a slightly easier one is better for consistent XP gain.
Both solo and team play are viable, but they have different efficiencies. Solo players can still complete side missions, but certain missions are designed for groups and will be slower or harder alone. Teams can clear high-level side missions much faster, which makes chaining missions more effective.
If you mostly play solo, focus on repeatable and resource-based missions that don’t require multiple players. If you have a consistent squad, coordinate to take on the highest-value missions together. Either approach works; the key is maximizing completed side missions per session.
How Do Rewards From Side Missions Compare to Main Missions?
Side missions usually give smaller individual rewards, but in aggregate, they often surpass main mission gains. They also provide useful items like gear, crafting materials, and occasionally rare weapons. Many players use these items to improve their character before tackling higher-level content.
A practical note: some players go as far as using side missions to acquire items they can sell arc raiders items for real money. While this isn’t part of normal progression, it shows the tangible value that side missions can provide beyond just XP. Even if you don’t plan to sell items, these missions still supply equipment that accelerates rank progression.
How Often Should You Focus on Side Missions?
Consistency matters more than completing every single side mission. Try to integrate side missions into your daily play sessions. Completing a few high-value missions each session is more effective than sporadically grinding dozens of lower-value missions. Experienced players often set a goal of finishing a certain number of side missions per day to maintain steady XP growth.
Common Mistakes When Using Side Missions to Rank Up
- Skipping Easy Missions: Players often ignore low-level missions, thinking they’re not worth XP. But completing easy missions can be a quick and efficient way to rack up experience when combined with others.
- Ignoring Resource Rewards: XP is important, but side missions often provide materials that indirectly help you rank up faster by letting you upgrade gear.
- Overcommitting to Hard Missions: Taking on missions that are too difficult for your level or loadout can lead to repeated failures and lost time. Stick to missions you can complete reliably.
- Focusing Only on Solo Play: While possible, solo players often miss out on team-based rewards that give higher XP and better loot. Even temporary team-ups can make side missions much more efficient.
- Use the map to plan an efficient path between missions.
- Stack missions in the same area for maximum XP gain.
- Don’t ignore repeatable daily and weekly tasks.
- Upgrade gear with items from side missions to tackle higher-level content faster.
- Adjust your strategy depending on whether you play solo or in a team.