Sidetracked in Starfield

Welcome to Starfield, a vast galaxy of opportunity and danger. Whether you’re new to the Settled Systems or a seasoned captain, sometimes you just want to step off the beaten path, and some of Starfield’s most surprising moments come from its side quests. Quick detours that can turn into big adventures, hard choices, and rewards that make your next steps even more exciting. So if you’re ready to venture into the unknown, here are a few great side missions to get you out among the stars.

Starfield is now available on Xbox Series X|S, Game Pass, PC and PlayStation 5. Learn more about the PlayStation 5 version here and check out everything that was added to the game in the new Free Lanes update and the Terran Armada DLC here.

Want to stay closer to home? Check out our guide to Starfield’s major cities here to figure out where you might want to hang your hat.

Age Required

Terror Brew

Mission Overview
Markieff Sutherland is a wealthy socialite who spends his days at Dawn’s Roost in New Atlantis. He is also a bit of a snob. He’s heard stories of coffee beans being fermented in the bowels of elephants (gross) to draw out the flavor. Now, he’s hired someone to feed beans to various alien life forms in an attempt to mimic the experiment (somehow even more gross). Unfortunately, the man he hired has not returned. That’s where you come in.

How to Start
Talk to Markieff at Dawn’s Roost. You can also catch him wandering around New Atlantis’ residential district.

The Mantis

Mission Overview
While roaming the Settled Systems, you come across a Datapad mysteriously labelled “Secret Outpost.” The Datapad promises once-in-a-lifetime riches, located somewhere in a distant star system. Riches fit for the greatest spacefaring vigilante. Will you pursue your calling and take on the mantle of the Settled System's most famous urban legend?

How to Start
“The Mantis” quest is automatically activated once you loot a datapad called “Secret Outpost!” during a random Spacer enemy encounter. You can only grab this from Spacers that are above level 5.

Operation Starseed

Mission Overview
After receiving a distress call in the Charybdis system, you’ll venture to a remote planet where an automated facility has produced clones of some of history’s most renowned figures, like Amelia Earhart, Cleopatra and Genghis Khan. These clones are on a mission to create the perfect society but have differing opinions on how to go about this. It’s up to you to determine which of the factions (if any) will prevail.

Age Required

How to Start
Begin “Operation Starseed” by jumping to the Charybdis system. After entering the vicinity of the planet Charybdis III, you’ll receive a distress call to guide you to the mission.

First Contact

Mission Overview
There’s a strange, giant ship in orbit over Paradiso. Sure, there’s concern for the safety of the guests on land, but more importantly, there’s concern about how this could affect the city’s business. Help them get to the bottom of this mystery and protect their bottom line (or don’t).

How to Start
The quest automatically kicks off after you enter the orbit of Porrima II, above the tropical resort of Paradiso. Immediately upon entering the space, you’ll receive a distress call from Paradiso Security Officer, Jiro Sugiyama.

Juno’s Gambit

Mission Overview
In Juno’s Gambit, you’ll discover a ship inhabited by Juno, a rogue AI. Ryujin operatives are attempting to gain control of Juno by installing a control board with new programming. You’ll need to decide whether to let Ryujin take control or to side with Juno, acknowledging her right to free will.

Age Required

How to Start
“Juno’s Gambit” is a random encounter, though it commonly occurs in the Tau Ceti system near Tau Ceti III. Once encountered, you’ll see a Mysterious Ship being attacked by an Eclip-tic Falcata. You’ll need to destroy the attacking ship and board the mystery ship to continue the mission.

Sure Bet

Mission Overview
Lizzy needs your help with collecting her shipment of booze from a starship in the Alpha Centauri system. The starship is a derelict vessel drifting around Grissom. Lizzy doesn’t know what happened to the cargo or who will be waiting for you once you enter the ship.

How to Start
Speak to Lizzy, the bartender and owner of Lizzy’s Bar in Gagarin Landing in the Alpha Centauri system.

Overdesigned

Mission Overview
There’s trouble brewing at Stroud-Eklund, one of the Settled Systems most prominent ship manufacturers. Your Constellation buddy Walter Stroud wants to see his company excel in every market, but right now Stroud-Ecklund’s consumer ship sales are down. They need a hit. Something to really blow their competitors out of the water (metaphorically, we hope). The problem is their team of engineers can’t agree on anything. Help them out and guide the team to creating the best (or worst) starship the Settled Systems has ever seen.

How to Start
Visit Stroud-Eklund Staryard R&D Department on Deepala in the Nairon System and talk to Walter if you want to lend a hand.

New Free Lanes Side Content

Dig into some of the new side quests that have been added in the Free Lanes major update, free for all players. All three missions can be found on the new Anchorpoint starstation added in the update.

Age Required

No Idle Threat

Mission Overview
Anchorpoint’s Chief of Security just tossed a rowdy Spacer in a jail cell after he threatened another patron of the starstation and now the rest of his gang has chimed in. They’ve sent word they’re coming to bust him out and settle the score while they’re at it. With the station on high alert, you’ll have to help figure out how to deal with this threat.

How to Start
Talk to Anchorpoint’s Chief of Security, Chan Huang. Chan can be found in the entry area of the starstation.

House-Sitting

Mission Overview
As you explore Anchorpoint, you’ll come across Yura, a neglectful monster who asks you to take on some house-sitting duties that she abandoned. Upon arriving at the home, horror of horrors, you discover that the owner’s adorable pet milliwhale has been kidnapped. Please find them and bring them home.

How to Start
“House-Sitting” kicks off in the new Anchorpoint location added in the Free Lanes update. As you wander the halls of the station, you’ll come across Yura, who sets you on your path. (You’ll need to complete the prerequisite quest “No Idle Threat” before you can begin “House-Sitting.”)

Party in the Stars

Mission Overview
After meeting two strangers in a bar and having one too many drinks, you wake up and find yourself in the middle of a party with too many people on too small a ship. You may be ready to leave, but the hosts aren’t ready to end the party just yet…

How to Start
One you enter the Anchorpoint Bar/Diner area, you can find Sawyer and Opal to kick off “Party in the Stars.” (Please note, Sawyer and Opal will be disabled if you start the Terran Armada content so “Party in the Stars” doesn’t disrupt that questline.)