Should You Ditch the Detours? Borderlands 3 Side Quests Dilemma, Solved.
You crash-landed on Pandora (or Promethea, or Eden-6). You want to be the ultimate Vault Hunter. Then you spot them – yellow exclamation points on your map. Side quests arise. The gamer question returns: to side quest, or not to side quest? That is the loot-driven question.
Do not worry, fellow vault hunter wannabes. We’re diving into the saga of side quests in Borderlands 3. We will explore if these optional adventures are a worthy use of your time, or just a sparkly distraction on your journey to greatness (and loot, of course).
Borderlands 3 Side Quests: Are They Actually Worth It?
In Borderlands 3, every quest must justify itself. The loot is king and bullets are currency. So, are these side missions worth it? The answer is complicated and hinges on when you decide to tackle them during your playthrough.
Borderlands 3 has a rich supply of content. Expect about 72 side missions alongside the 23 main story missions. That’s many extra enemies to defeat and quirky characters to meet. These side quests promise rewards, but the quality of those rewards varies.
Let’s discuss loot and experience points (XP). Early in your Vault Hunter journey, side quests seem like a way to level up and grab shiny new guns. But there’s a catch: in Normal Vault Hunter Mode, the level of side missions is fixed. They do not scale with your story progress. If you take on every side quest as they pop up, you might outlevel the main story missions.
Imagine going to a boss battle with a level 20 weapon while the boss is level 12. You win easily but lose the fun, challenge, and decent loot drops from appropriately matched enemies.
On the bright side, once you defeat the final boss and dive into the Borderlands 3 endgame, the reward system upgrades significantly. Every enemy you face, every boss you fight again, and every side quest you complete becomes more rewarding. The endgame in Borderlands 3 offers a loot fiesta, and side quests are part of it.
Timing is Everything: When Should You Tackle These Side Missions?
When should you focus on side quests? The golden rule is simple: hold your horses. Resist clearing every yellow marker immediately. Why? You waste potential rewards. Completing side quests as you progress is like using premium fuel on a lawnmower; it’s overkill.
The true Borderlands 3 endgame begins after you beat the final boss and roll credits. Mayhem Mode unlocks then, and True Vault Hunter Mode beckons. Loot drops become infinitely more appealing. Those side quests you skipped become treasure troves of endgame gear and XP.
The Benefits of Side Quest Skipping (Initially, at Least)
Now let’s explore why delaying side quests during your first playthrough is a smart move. The key resources are XP and loot drops. Think of side quests like small XP and loot piñatas. You can break them open whenever, but isn’t it better to smash them when they’re stuffed with good loot?
Skipping side quests early means you bank XP and loot drops for later – when they truly matter, in the endgame. When you reach Mayhem Mode, those quests will scale to your level. Imagine revisiting a level 15 quest in Mayhem 10 at level 72. That quest now drops level 72 legendary weapons and heaps of XP.
It’s like saving the good wine for a special occasion. Your first playthrough is a casual dinner. Side quests are decent but not exceptional wine. The endgame is a fancy celebration; saved side quests are the vintage bottle you’ve waited to uncork. You want to enjoy the best loot when it matters most.
The Rebellious Vault Hunter: Side Quests Whenever, Wherever
Before feeling guilty about those ignored quest givers, let’s consider another side. What if you want to do side quests whenever you wish? Good news: you absolutely can! Borderlands 3 is flexible. Even if you dive into every side quest immediately, you can still complete the main story without a hitch.
You will still earn XP and loot (though maybe not the best endgame loot). Most importantly, you’ll experience all the quirky stories and characters Borderlands 3 offers. Some side quests are hilarious or heartwarming, adding flavor to the universe. If you play for fun and don’t mind being a bit over-leveled, then embrace the side quest life!
Ultimately, when to tackle side quests in Borderlands 3 depends on your playstyle and priorities. Are you a min-maxer focused on endgame loot? Skip them for later. Are you a lore enthusiast who wants every piece of Borderlands madness? Dive in anytime. There’s no wrong way to play. Those yellow exclamation points will be waiting for you when you are ready to answer their call – preferably when the loot quality is high.
