What to Do First in Outer Worlds 2

The Outer Worlds 2 is a bigger and more interconnected game than its predecessor, with enhanced player choice and choice-driven outcomes set in denser, larger worlds. As a result, it can be hard to know where to go first in Outer Worlds 2, as there are just so many options.

At the start of the game, focus on your build and learning the basics of how to play Outer Worlds 2. After the introductory sequence at Horizon Point, though, follow this guide to learn what to do first in Outer Worlds 2 and where you should go first when you land on Paradise Island to set yourself on the main story path – and find some interesting side content, too.

Choose Your Background, Traits, & Skills

You Can Build Into Anything, But Starting Choices Affect Early-Game Options

Outer Worlds 2 Starting Backgrounds Traits Skills Build Character Creation

The first thing you should do in Outer Worlds 2 is consider what type of character you want to play, and choose the corresponding background, traits, and skills in character creation. Though you can technically build into anything and allocate Skill points however you like, what you choose in character creation will serve as the launch pad for the rest of your playthrough.

Take some time to carefully power through every background, every trait, and every skill to pick choices that seem fun to you. If you don't end up liking a foundational aspect of your character later on, you won't be able to change it, so make your choices count!

Complete The Introduction & Choose a Level 2 Perk

After The Title Card Drops, You'll Have A Chance to Respec, Too

Outer Worlds 2 What To Do First Where To Go First Gadgets Complete Intro Respec

At the start of The Outer Worlds 2, players are introduced to the stakes and main story of the game as they infiltrate a Protectorate base. You will progress to Level 2 during this introductory sequence, when you can pick your first Perk point.

Perk Points are granted every other level, starting at level 2, which means you will get a Perk every even level. Additionally, if you don't like any of your character creation choices, you will get a chance to change your starting background, traits, and skills after waking up on the Incognito.

Take Time To Explore the Incognito

Look For a Secret Safe, Crafting Bench, & Pet Area

Outer Worlds 2 What To Do First Where To Go First Explore Incognito Crafting

After you wake up and get your bearings, and after you decide whether to respec or not, take a stroll through the Incognito. Now ten years after the Horizon Point incident, it's in a lot shabbier state than it was at the beginning of the game, and there are a few things you should find before progressing to Niles.

Look for a secret safe in your former quarters (behind the desk where you picked up your identity documents at the start), a crafting bench in the room across the hall from the medical room you woke up in, and a Pet corner just beyond that.

Once you've had your fill of the Incognito, head to the bridge to catch up with Niles, who survived the explosion from the introductory sequence.

Arrive in Paradise & Explore Fairfield

Vendors, Side Quests, & Main Story Hooks

Outer Worlds 2 Trust Aunties Choice vs Order of Ascendant Fairfield

After catching up with Niles, travel to Paradise to get started in the main story of Outer Worlds 2. Upon landing, head northwest to reach Fairfield, a large settlement run by Auntie's Choice, an interplanetary megacorporation that recently invaded the Protectorate-controlled region.

Fairfield is centrally located in the southern island of Paradise and will serve as your main hub during your stay in this region. This settlement is absolutely stuffed with interesting characters, unique vendors, hilarious moments, and both side and main mission hooks, so be sure to spend some time and look around every corner.

Talk to Milverstreet and Kaur In Fairfield

Decide Who To Trust To Find A Way Into The Vox Relay

Outer Worlds 2 trailer screenshot Auntie Cleo on tv screens

After you've spent some time exploring Fairfield, make your way to the main building in the top-left corner of the city, underneath the gigantic Auntie Cleo holographic sign. In here you will see two Auntie's Choice higher-ups on a video call with Auntie Cleo herself. After she comments on the lack of security, the two will turn to face you.

Choose to work with either Kaur or Minister Milverstreet (you can't work with both) to deal with Protectorate forces nearby. No matter which one you choose, you'll gain a lead into the main story and a way to get to the Vox Relay, which is required for the final mission on Paradise.

Find Unique Gadgets & Other Tools On Paradise

Unlock Double Jump, Self-Shield, & Other Useful Skills On Paradise

There are a handful of useful Gadgets and other tools that you can acquire exclusively on Paradise, namely the jump boots and self-shield gadget.

The P.A.L.E. (Plasmatic Augmented Leap Enhancer) boots grant you the ability to double jump, but they can only be activated if you aren't falling at a high velocity – so no saving yourself from deadly fall damage!
- These can be found on a freshly-dead body just beneath a towering lift that seems to be stuck up in the air, southwest of Fairfield. You will be directed to this location as part of Senior Warden Weintraut's mission to return dissenting Protectorate members to the bridge north of Fairfield.
The Gas-Energy Deflection Apparatus is essentially a temporary shield Gadget that can also mitigate status effects and environmental hazard damage. You can swap to this Gadget instead of your Time Dialation device.
- Look for the auto-mech facility in the far east of the southern island, south of Westport, and complete the mission 'Vanquishing the Vexing Vapors' by dealing with the Zyranium leak infesting the facility.

Though you will likely be directed to these locations as part of other missions, it's worth going out of your way to get these early, as they can significantly help your survivability and ability to traverse and platform effectively.

Pick Up The Science Magazine Collection Quest For Paradise

Progress 'In Pursuit of Purloined Propaganda' By Finding All Science Magazines

Outer Worlds 2 Science Adventures Quarterly Locations Reward Redactor Quesnel

After finding your first Science Adventures Quarterly magazine, Outer Worlds 2 players will automatically start the quest 'In Pursuit of Purloined Propaganda'. This quest takes you to see Redactor Quisnel, who wants to recover all stray Science magazines on the island that were definitely not part of her personal collection.

Each of the game's four major regions has a collection side quest that players can pick up, and on Paradise, you are tasked to find all ten Science magazines. You can also head to Redactor Quisnel directly, in a shack to the west of Fairfield, to start this quest.

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