Side Missions

Beyond the main questline of liberating the world from Colonel Sloan's tyranny, Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon offers several engaging side missions that provide valuable cyber-credits, weapon upgrades, and experience points. These missions are crucial for powering up Rex "Power" Colt and ensuring he's ready for the most challenging encounters. There are two primary types of side missions: Garrison Liberations and Hunter Missions.

Garrison Liberations

Garrison Liberations are your bread and butter for expanding your influence and unlocking new gear. Each island in the game features several garrisons controlled by Omega Force. Liberating these outposts not only clears the map of enemy presence but also provides a safe house, a fast travel point, and access to a vendor for purchasing weapons and attachments. There are a total of 13 Garrisons to liberate across the game world.

Strategy for Garrison Liberation:

Reconnaissance is Key: Before storming in, use your Cyber-Binoculars (press Up on the D-Pad) to tag all enemy soldiers, turrets, and alarms. This allows you to plan your approach and prioritize targets. Look for snipers on elevated positions and heavy gunners.
Disable Alarms First: Prioritize stealthily disabling the alarm systems. There are usually 1-3 alarm panels per garrison. If an alarm is triggered, reinforcements will arrive, making the liberation significantly harder. Use silenced weapons like the Kobrak-47 (unlocked early) or the Fazertron (later game) for stealth takedowns.
Stealth or Mayhem?:
- Stealth Approach: For maximum experience and a smoother experience, try to clear the garrison without being detected. Use takedowns (melee attack when close to an enemy) and silenced headshots. Lure enemies away from groups using thrown Cyber-Hearts (obtained from Blood Dragons) to distract them or make them vulnerable to Blood Dragon attacks.
- Mayhem Approach: If stealth isn't your style, or you get detected, be prepared for a firefight. use cover, throw grenades (Explosive Grenade or Molotov Cocktail), and use your most powerful weapons. The Gallant-1887 shotgun is excellent for close-quarters combat, while the A.J.M. 9 pistol with an extended magazine is surprisingly effective.
Blood Dragon Assistance: If there's a Blood Dragon patrolling near the garrison, you can use Cyber-Hearts to lure it into the outpost. The Blood Dragon will attack Omega Force soldiers, creating a chaotic distraction and clearing out enemies for you. Be careful not to get caught in its rampage!
Loot Everything: After liberating a garrison, thoroughly search the area for ammo, health packs, and especially Cyber-Credits from fallen enemies and containers.

Hunter Missions

Hunter Missions are repeatable side quests that become available after liberating a garrison. These missions task you with hunting specific types of mutated animals or Omega Force soldiers. They are excellent for earning extra Cyber-Credits and experience, which contributes to unlocking new abilities and weapon upgrades. There are typically 2-3 Hunter Missions available per liberated garrison.

Types of Hunter Missions:

Animal Hunts: These missions require you to hunt down a specific number of mutated animals, such as Cyber-Panthers, Cyber-Bears, or Cyber-Komodos.
- Strategy: These animals are often found in specific regions marked on your map. Use your Cyber-Binoculars to locate them. Cyber-Panthers are fast and stealthy, so listen for their growls. Cyber-Bears are tough and can take a lot of damage; aim for headshots with high-damage weapons like the Fazertron or K-000 sniper rifle. Cyber-Komodos are generally less dangerous but can still inflict damage.
- Recommended Weapons: For larger animals, the Gallant-1887 shotgun or the K-000 sniper rifle are highly effective. For faster targets, the Kobrak-47 or Fazertron can provide sustained fire.
Omega Force Hunts: These missions involve eliminating a specific number of Omega Force soldiers, often of a particular type (e.g., "Eliminate 5 Heavy Gunners").
- Strategy: These soldiers can be found patrolling roads, near garrisons, or at specific marked locations. Use stealth if possible to take out heavy targets. For Heavy Gunners, aim for their exposed heads or use explosives like the Explosive Grenade to quickly dispatch them.
- Recommended Weapons: The A.J.M. 9 with a red dot sight for quick headshots, or the Fazertron for its high rate of fire and accuracy.

General Tips for Hunter Missions:

Check the Map: The mission objective will be clearly marked on your map, indicating the general area where your targets can be found.
Fast Travel: use liberated garrisons for fast travel to quickly reach mission areas.
Stock Up: Before embarking on a hunt, ensure you have plenty of ammo for your preferred weapons and a good supply of health packs.
Repeat for Rewards: Hunter Missions are repeatable, making them an excellent way to grind for Cyber-Credits and experience if you need to purchase a specific weapon upgrade or unlock a new ability.