Challenge Missions
Beyond the main story and side quests, Far Cry 5 offers several Challenge Missions designed to test your skills, reward you with valuable perks, and deepen your understanding of Hope County's diverse environments. These challenges often require specific approaches, equipment, or a keen eye for detail. Successfully completing them is crucial for maximizing your character's potential and unlocking powerful advantages against the Project at Eden's Gate.
Hunting Challenges
Hunting challenges require you to track and eliminate specific animals using particular methods. These are excellent for earning perk points and crafting materials.
- The Grizzly Bear Hunt (Jacob's Region):
- Location: Near the Baron Lumber Mill, look for signs of large animal activity.
- Objective: Hunt and skin 3 Grizzly Bears using only a bow (Compound Bow or Recurve Bow).
- Strategy:
- Equip a bow and ensure you have plenty of arrows (especially "Hunter" arrows for increased damage).
- Approach the hunting grounds stealthily. Use bait (found in your utility wheel or crafted from animal parts) to lure bears out of dense foliage.
- Aim for headshots to ensure a quick, clean kill. If a bear charges, use the "Dodge" perk to evade and create distance for another shot.
- Consider bringing a "Guns for Hire" like Jess Black, whose hunting skills can help spot animals and provide cover.
- Reward: 3 Perk Points, 1000 XP, and valuable Grizzly Bear skins for crafting.
- The Albino Bison Pursuit (Holland Valley):
- Location: The vast plains west of Fall's End, particularly around the Rae-Rae's Pumpkin Farm.
- Objective: Locate and kill the legendary Albino Bison using a sniper rifle.
- Strategy:
- Acquire a high-powered sniper rifle, such as the SA-50 or the .50 Cal. Equip a long-range scope.
- Scan the open fields from elevated positions. The Albino Bison is distinct due to its white fur.
- Maintain extreme distance to avoid spooking it. A single shot to the head or vitals is often enough.
- Patience is key. If you lose sight of it, circle back and re-scan the area.
- Reward: 4 Perk Points, 1500 XP, and the unique Albino Bison Hide, which sells for a high price.
Fishing Challenges
These challenges test your angling prowess, requiring specific fishing rods and lures to catch rare fish.
- The Golden Trout Catch (Faith's Region):
- Location: The tranquil waters of the Henbane River, specifically near the Silver Lake Boathouse.
- Objective: Catch 5 Golden Trout using the "Wonderboy" fishing rod and a "River" lure.
- Strategy:
- Ensure you have the "Wonderboy" fishing rod (unlocked via the "The Hero's Journey" mission or purchased from shops) and "River" lures.
- Cast your line into deeper sections of the river. Golden Trout are notoriously skittish.
- Use short, gentle tugs on the line to attract them, and be prepared for a strong fight once hooked.
- The "Fisher King" perk significantly helps in reeling in larger, more aggressive fish.
- Reward: 2 Perk Points, 750 XP, and a significant amount of cash from selling the Golden Trout.
Exploration Challenges
These challenges encourage you to explore every nook and cranny of Hope County, often leading to hidden stashes or unique encounters.
- The Prepper Stash Scavenger (Various Regions):
- Location: Scattered throughout all three regions (John's, Faith's, and Jacob's). Look for notes or environmental clues indicating a nearby stash.
- Objective: Find and loot 10 unique Prepper Stashes.
- Strategy:
- Keep an eye out for yellow "Prepper Stash" icons on your map or mini-map.
- Each stash requires solving a small environmental puzzle, such as finding a key, activating a switch, or navigating a platforming section.
- Pay attention to notes left behind by preppers; they often contain vital clues.
- The "Locksmith" perk can be useful for bypassing some locked doors encountered in these stashes.
- Reward: Each stash offers cash, perk points, and valuable crafting materials. Completing 10 grants an additional 5 Perk Points and a unique weapon skin.
Combat Challenges
These challenges push your combat skills to the limit, often requiring specific weapon types or tactical approaches.
- The Silent Takedown Spree (John's Region):
- Location: Any Peggie outpost or stronghold in John's Region, such as the "Rye & Sons Aviation" outpost.
- Objective: Liberate an outpost without being detected and using only melee takedowns or silenced weapons.
- Strategy:
- Scout the outpost thoroughly from a distance using binoculars or a sniper scope to mark all enemies and identify patrol routes.
- Equip a silenced pistol (e.g., 1911 with a suppressor) or a silenced SMG (e.g., MP5 with a suppressor).
- Prioritize enemies in isolated positions or those with clear lines of sight to others.
- Use rocks to distract enemies and lure them into secluded areas for takedowns.
- The "Sneak Attack" perk increases stealth takedown speed, and "Nimble Fingers" helps with quick weapon swaps.
- Reward: 3 Perk Points, 1200 XP, and bonus cash for the undetected liberation.