Side Quests by Region

Side Quests by Region

Each region in Assassin's Creed Odyssey offers a unique set of side quests, deeply intertwined with the local lore, political climate, and the ongoing Peloponnesian War. These quests are not just filler; they are vital for earning substantial Drachmae, gaining valuable XP, acquiring rare gear, and even influencing the outcome of regional conflicts and the fates of key NPCs. Always make it a habit to check notice boards in every major town and port, and diligently speak to all NPCs marked with an exclamation mark (!) on your map or in the immediate vicinity.

While some side quests are generic "bounties" or "contracts" found on notice boards (which are excellent for quick XP and Drachmae), many are unique, multi-part narratives that reveal the true struggles and triumphs of the people of Ancient Greece. Below, we'll explore examples of specific regions and the types of side quests you can expect to find, along with detailed walkthroughs for some notable examples.

Kephallonia: The Beginning of Your Journey

Your adventure begins on the humble island of Kephallonia, and even here, the side quests offer a taste of the moral dilemmas and quirky characters that define Odyssey. These early quests are excellent for learning game mechanics and building your initial gear set.

Quest Spotlight: A Shipwreck Survivor

• Location: Sami, Kephallonia.
• NPC: Duris, a local merchant.
• Objective: Help a man named Neleus who claims to be a shipwreck survivor, but all is not as it seems.
• Walkthrough:
  1. Initiation: Speak to Duris in Sami, who is concerned about Neleus, a man he's been helping.
  2. Investigate Neleus: Head to Neleus's house, marked on your map. You'll find him acting suspiciously.
  3. Follow the Trail: Neleus will lead you to a hidden cave. Be stealthy to observe his true intentions without being detected.
  4. Confrontation: Inside the cave, you'll discover Neleus is a bandit leader, not a survivor. You'll need to defeat him and his small group of thugs.
  5. Return to Duris: Report your findings to Duris. You'll have a choice:
     • Tell the Truth: Duris will be grateful and reward you.
     • Lie (and keep some loot): You can claim Neleus escaped, keeping some of the bandit's ill-gotten gains for yourself, but Duris will be disappointed.
• Rewards:
  • XP: ~1,500 - 2,000 (scales with level)
  • Drachmae: ~100 - 200
  • Gear: Common or Rare Bracers (e.g., Kephallonian Bracers)
  • Moral Choice Impact: Affects your relationship with Duris slightly, but no major long-term consequences.
• Strategy Tips: This early quest is a good opportunity to practice stealth takedowns and basic combat. Neleus and his bandits are low-level, so any starting gear is sufficient.

Megaris: The First Major Conflict

Megaris serves as your introduction to large-scale faction warfare. Side quests here often involve choosing sides, sabotaging enemy efforts, or aiding civilians caught in the crossfire. They directly feed into the Conquest Battle mechanic.

Quest Spotlight: The Athenian Leader

• Location: Megara, Megaris.
• NPC: Stentor, Nikolaos's adopted son.
• Objective: Assassinate the Athenian Leader in Megaris to weaken their control and prepare for a Conquest Battle.
• Walkthrough:
  1. Initiation: Speak to Stentor at the Spartan camp in Megaris. He will task you with destabilizing Athenian control.
  2. Identify the Leader: The Athenian Leader's location will be marked on your map, typically within the fortified city of Megara or a nearby military camp. Use Ikaros to scout and tag him.
  3. Infiltrate and Assassinate:
     • Stealth Approach (Recommended): Infiltrate the leader's stronghold, using bushes, rooftops, and distractions to avoid detection. Aim for a stealth assassination for maximum efficiency and minimal resistance.
     • Direct Combat: If stealth fails or you prefer a direct approach, be prepared for a tough fight against the leader and his elite guards. Focus on parries and dodges.
  4. Confirm Kill: Loot the leader's body to confirm the kill.
  5. Report to Stentor: Return to Stentor to complete the quest and trigger the Conquest Battle option.
• Rewards:
  • XP: ~3,000 - 4,500 (scales with level)
  • Drachmae: ~250 - 400
  • Gear: Rare or Epic Weapon (e.g., Athenian Sword, Spartan Spear)
  • Impact: Significantly reduces the region's power, making the subsequent Conquest Battle easier and contributing to the main storyline.
• Strategy Tips:
  • Recommended Loadout: Equip gear that boosts Assassin Damage for stealth kills, or Warrior Damage and defensive stats for direct combat.
  • Boss Weaknesses: Leaders often have a small health pool but hit hard. Use abilities like Rush Assassinate or Hero Strike to quickly deplete their health.
  • Common Pitfalls: Rushing in without scouting can lead to being overwhelmed by guards. Always use Ikaros to identify patrol routes and enemy types.

Attika: The Heart of Athenian Power

Attika, home to Athens, presents a more complex web of political intrigue, philosophical debates, and historical figures. Side quests here often involve espionage, protecting key individuals, or participating in cultural events.

Quest Spotlight: A Business Opportunity

• Location: Athens, Attika.
• NPC: Sokrates, the renowned philosopher.
• Objective: Engage in a philosophical debate and help Sokrates with a "business opportunity" that involves a rather unique form of justice.
• Walkthrough:
  1. Initiation: Find Sokrates in the Agora of Athens. He'll be surrounded by students. Engage him in conversation.
  2. The Debate: Sokrates will question your understanding of justice and morality. Your dialogue choices here don't have major consequences but offer insight into his character.
  3. The "Opportunity": Sokrates will then ask for your help with a man named Demos, who owes him money. He suggests a "persuasive" approach.
  4. Locate Demos: Demos will be found near the docks or a marketplace, marked on your map.
  5. The Persuasion: You have several options:
     • Intimidate: Threaten Demos, and he'll pay up.
     • Reason: Try to convince him through dialogue (requires specific dialogue choices).
     • Beat Him Up: Engage in fisticuffs until he agrees to pay.
     • Kill Him: A more extreme option, which Sokrates will surprisingly accept, though it might affect your reputation slightly.
  6. Return to Sokrates: Report back to Sokrates with the outcome. He will offer more philosophical musings regardless of your method.
• Rewards:
  • XP: ~2,500 - 3,800 (scales with level)
  • Drachmae: ~200 - 350
  • Gear: Common or Rare Helmet (e.g., Athenian Helmet)
  • Impact: Introduces you to Sokrates, who becomes a recurring character with several other philosophical side quests.
• Strategy Tips: This quest is more about dialogue and role-playing than combat. Choose the option that best fits your Kassandra/Alexios's personality. If you choose to fight Demos, he's a basic civilian and poses no threat.

Messara: Myths and Monsters

The island of Messara is steeped in myth and legend, home to the Minotaur. Side quests here often involve uncovering ancient secrets, dealing with mythical creatures, or assisting those who believe in the old gods.

Quest Spotlight: The Minotaur and the Labyrinth

While part of the main questline for the "Between Two Worlds" quest, the lead-up to the Minotaur fight involves several side quests that are essential to unlocking the final confrontation. These are excellent examples of how side content can weave into the grander narrative.

• Location: Knossos Palace, Messara.
• NPC: Ardos, a young boy searching for his father.
• Objective: Help Ardos find his father and eventually confront the legendary Minotaur.
• Walkthrough (Abbreviated, as this is a multi-part chain):
  1. Initiation: Find Ardos near Knossos Palace. He'll tell you about his missing father, who went into the Labyrinth.
  2. The Minotaur's Maze: You'll need to complete a series of smaller quests to gather the four legendary artifacts required to open the Labyrinth's true entrance. These include:
     • "Recollections": Retrieve a valuable item from a bandit camp.
     • "A Mother's Prayer": Help a distraught mother whose child is missing.
     • "The Keeper and the Key": Deal with a corrupt keeper of the Labyrinth's secrets.
     • "Of Minotaurs and Men": Investigate a local cult.
  3. Enter the Labyrinth: Once all artifacts are collected, you can enter the Labyrinth. This is a complex puzzle area with traps and enemies.
  4. Confront the Minotaur: At the heart of the Labyrinth, you will face the beast.
• Rewards (for the entire chain, culminating in the Minotaur fight):
  • XP: Substantial, often 10,000+ for the final fight alone.
  • Drachmae: Significant amounts throughout the chain.
  • Gear: Minotaur's Labrys (Legendary Axe), a powerful weapon with unique engravings.
  • Impact: Progresses the "Between Two Worlds" storyline, revealing more about the Isu and the First Civilization.
• Strategy Tips (Minotaur Fight):
  • Recommended Loadout: High Warrior Damage, especially with axes or heavy bladed weapons. Engravings that boost damage against Elites and Bosses are invaluable.
  • Boss Weaknesses: The Minotaur is slow but hits incredibly hard. Dodge frequently. He is vulnerable after charging attacks or when he gets his axe stuck in the ground.
  • Common Pitfalls: Getting cornered in the small arena. Always keep moving and use the pillars for cover or to break line of sight. Use abilities like Second Wind to heal and Overpower Attacks for burst damage.

General Tips for Side Quests

• Notice Boards: Always check these in every town. They offer repeatable quests (bounties, contracts) that are great for passive XP and Drachmae.
• Exclamation Marks: Prioritize NPCs with a yellow exclamation mark (!) as these typically lead to unique, story-driven side quests.
• Quest Givers: Sometimes, quest givers are not immediately obvious. Explore towns thoroughly and use Ikaros to scout for quest markers.
• Level Scaling: Side quests scale with your level, ensuring they always offer relevant XP and gear. Don't worry about "out-leveling" content.
• Moral Choices: Many side quests feature choices with consequences. While few have truly game-altering impacts, they often affect the immediate outcome, NPC fates, and your personal role-playing experience.
• Exploration: Many side quests encourage exploration of new areas, revealing hidden locations, viewpoints, and valuable resources.

By engaging with the vast array of side quests, you'll not only strengthen your Misthios but also gain a deeper appreciation for the rich, detailed world of Ancient Greece that Assassin's Creed Odyssey so masterfully portrays.