The Ideal Leveling Guide for The Outer Worlds
If you want to get the most out of The Outer Worlds, reaching level 30 is my top recommendation. This will allow you to experience all content and be prepared for end game missions. Of course, you can certainly finish the main quests at lower levels if needed. But for the full journey, level 30 is optimal.
Below I‘ve put together a detailed guide on leveling in The Outer Worlds, including advice on:
- Level caps and DLC requirements
- Minimum levels for all main quests
- Target levels for each planet and faction
- Power-leveling strategies and tips
- How the leveling system works
- And more!
After hundreds of hours in Halcyon, I‘m happy to share everything I‘ve learned about leveling your character efficiently. Let‘s dive in fellow traveler!
What is the Max Level in The Outer Worlds?
Without any DLC, the max level you can reach in The Outer Worlds is 30. This is the cap for the base game.
Here are the level caps with each DLC installed:
| DLC | New Max Level |
|---|---|
| Base Game | 30 |
| + Peril on Gorgon | 33 |
| + Murder on Eridanos | 36 |
Once both major DLCs are installed, you can level your character all the way to 36. This requires the Expanded Mercenary Pack that contains Peril on Gorgon and Murder on Eridanos.
I highly recommend picking up the DLC if you can! They provide excellent new quests and content while allowing you to further develop your character.
What Level Should You Be For Main Quests?
The main questline in The Outer Worlds is structured into early, mid, and late game sections. Here are the recommended levels for each stage:
Early Game
Levels 1-15
The early game takes place on Emerald Vale and Monarch. I suggest exploring these starter planets fully and completing side factions quests before moving on.
Recommended quest levels:
- Stranger in a Strange Land – Level 1
- The Illustrated Manual – Level 5
- Makes Space Suits, Won‘t Travel – Level 8
- Radio Free Monarch – Level 12
Mid Game
Levels 15-25
In the mid-game, you‘ll visit Byzantium and unlock the Scylla asteroid. Take time to explore and help factions like the Iconoclasts before the end game.
Recommended quest levels:
- The City and the Stars – Level 17
- At Central – Level 22
- The Vanishing Act – Level 23
End Game
Levels 25-30
The climax takes you to Board headquarters at Tartarus and back to Emerald Vale. I recommend being level 28+ before starting the final quests.
Recommended quest levels:
- The Long Tomorrow – Level 28
- Retirement Plan – Level 30
- Light at the End – Level 30
Pacing your progress through these sections prevents you from hitting level gates. My advice is to always be 2-3 levels above the recommendation to feel powerful!
What Level Should You Be For Factions?
Each planet and faction in The Outer Worlds has an ideal level range:
| Faction | Area | Level Range |
|---|---|---|
| Emerald Vale | Emerald Vale | 1-10 |
| Sublight Salvage | Monarch | 10-15 |
| Iconoclasts | Monarch | 10-20 |
| House of Halcyon | Byzantium | 15-22 |
| Rizzo‘s | Monarch | 15-25 |
| MSI | Scylla | 20-28 |
Early factions like Edgewater and the Botanical Lab can be completed from level 1 onwards.
Mid-game groups like the Iconoclasts and Sublight Crew are best saved for level 15+.
And late game factions like MSI should be wrapped up after level 20.
Pacing faction quests similar to the main story prevents roadblocks. Always check the recommended level before diving into new content!
What Level For The Outer Worlds DLC?
The Outer Worlds DLCs raise the level cap and are geared toward high level players. Here are the recommendations:
Peril on Gorgon
Recommended Level: 25+
Peril on Gorgon is accessible once Radio Free Monarch is complete (around level 15). But I suggest being level 25+ before starting the DLC.
The new science lab location features tough enemies like large Mantisaurs. Having access to Science Weapons and high-level armor helps tremendously.
Completing the main game first results in the ideal experience. I played Peril on Gorgon at level 30 and found it perfectly challenging.
Murder on Eridanos
Recommended Level: 33+
Murder on Eridanos is designed for end-game characters. I recommend wrapping up all main game content and Peril on Gorgon first.
Approaching it around level 33 will make you reasonably prepared for the tough Rizzo‘s Rangers. The DLC is certainly playable from 30-33, but I found 35+ ideal.
Taking your time to complete everything beforehand allows you to fully enjoy the DLC内容and new mechanics it brings to the table!
How The Leveling System Works
Gaining levels in The Outer Worlds involves acquiring Experience Points (XP). Here‘s an overview:
- You earn XP from completing quests, killing enemies, discovering locations, etc.
- 1000 XP = 1 Level
- Each level awards you 10 Skill Points to spend
- You can improve your Skills & Attributes with these points
On average, I found gaining a level took me around 45 minutes to 1 hour of focused questing and combat. But this may vary based on your playstyle.
If you feel stuck grinding a particular level, try focusing on completing side content in areas you haven‘t fully explored yet. This will award big XP bonuses and let you level up quickly.
Power Leveling Tips and Tricks
Don‘t want to wait to reach the recommended levels naturally? Try these power-leveling exploits and strategies:
- Sleep for XP bonus – With the Well Rested perk you gain +25% XP for 2 hours after sleeping. Abuse sleep to keep this bonus up!
- Group with companions – Having companions in your party gives +20% XP. Bring them along always.
- Prioritize main missions – These award the most XP, allowing you to gain levels quickly early on.
- Only kill tougher enemies – Target elite enemies like Primals for big XP gains over weaker foes.
- Stack consumables – Mix alcohol and food to stack XP gain effects from consumables.
- Respec skills – Once you unlock Tier 2 skills, swap to ones that boost XP gain like Inspiration.
These tips can help accelerate leveling in The Outer Worlds. I don‘t recommend using exploits on a first playthrough. But they offer options for quick leveling on additional runs.
What Level Should You Be For Each Location?
Here is an overview of the recommended levels for each named location in The Outer Worlds:
| Location | Recommended Level |
|---|---|
| Edgewater | 2-5 |
| Botanical Lab | 3-8 |
| Emerald Vale | 1-12 |
| Monarch Wilderness | 7-12 |
| Fallbrook | 10-15 |
| Stellar Bay | 10-20 |
| Byzantium | 15-25 |
| Scylla | 20-30 |
| Groundbreaker | 15-25 |
| Roseway | 10-15 |
| Cascadia | 15-20 |
| Tartarus | 25-30 |
| The Hope | 25-30 |
| Gorgon Asteroid | 25-33 |
| Eridanos Asteroid | 30-36 |
Use these ranges to identify areas you are ready to explore or should come back to later!
My Recommended Leveling Milestones
Based on my multiple playthroughs, here are the level milestones I recommend aiming for:
- Level 10: Emerald Vale and Botanical Lab
- Level 15: Monarch mid-game
- Level 20: Byzantium and Scylla
- Level 25: End game prep
- Level 30: Final missions
- Level 33+: Peril on Gorgon
- Level 36: Murder on Eridanos
Following this progression ensures you hit the level targets for all content without grinding or feeling under-powered.
Staying 2-3 levels above recommendations gives you a great buffer. And spacing out milestones gives you time to explore at your own pace.
Final Thoughts on Leveling in The Outer Worlds
Approaching The Outer Worlds‘ expansive content at the right levels is key to getting the most enjoyment out of the experience. Hopefully this guide provides a detailed overview of leveling, so you can set informed goals for your playthrough.
In summary, I highly recommend reaching level 30 before tackling the end game main questline. This gives you time to fully explore side factions and acquire abilities without roadblocks.
The DLCs are best saved for post-game at levels 30+ as they provide challenging high-level content.
Take your time soaking in everything Halcyon has to offer. The Outer Worlds is such a fantastic RPG, and proper planning around levels helps unlock the full potential of its flexible progression system.
Let me know if you have any other questions! I‘m happy to provide tips for maximizing your fun in The Outer Worlds. Safe travels, my friend. I hope this guide serves you well on the journey through Halcyon!