Outer Worlds 2 DLC adds five weapons

The Outer Worlds 2 is getting the first of a two-part story expansion, Side Effects Guaranteed, arriving on December 2. It comes with a level cap increase up to 36, five new weapons, a new region and a respec update for everyone.

The Story and the New Region

After a distress signal from a derelict ship is picked up, you and your crew quickly get embroiled in the story of an abandoned settlement, a power struggle for the future of the Sub Rosa criminal organization, and the fate of a team subjected to something that will cause them all to die from explosive cell death. It's really more a liquefaction than an explosion, but it means death nonetheless.

The new story is filled with moral quandaries and consequences big and small. You'll explore the all-new region of Elysium Valley, which has unique quests and new facilities to make your way through.

Weapons and Progression

An Earth Directorate Commander should always have a weapon at their side, and there are five new ones to add to the arsenal:

• The Immobilizer makes gravity forget to exist around its target, letting them float in the air so you can switch to another weapon and pick them off. It combines well with grenades for anti-gravity explosions, or with the Tactical Time Dilation device for slowing down time and getting some critical shots in.
• The 1/6 Resolver lets every sixth bullet fired from it pack an extra special punch. For characters built just right, you won't have to empty the gun every time to get that critical hit.
• Other weapons include one that does additional damage to creatures, a special Tossball Stick, and a new plasma weapon.

Beyond weapons, Side Effects Guaranteed brings new perks, new flaws, and a new Sub Rosa radio station with 20 new songs.

Jumping In and Respeccing

The DLC's events trigger right before the point of no return in the main game. There is also a way to jump straight in: starting a new game from the main menu shows an option to start Side Effects Guaranteed directly. This loads a pre-made character at level 27 to whom you can assign skill points and perks.

Not happy with your character? A new update, coming to everyone at the same time as the DLC, will let players respec their character at any time. A new custom game option also lets you adjust how many skill points you get per level.

However you deal with Sub Rosa or the subjects of Elysium Valley will have consequences. Those side effects lead directly into the next installment of the two-part story expansion, which releases in the spring of 2027.

Key Features at a Glance

• New story: Sub Rosa power struggle and a doomed team in an abandoned settlement – moral choices carry consequences into the second part.
• Five new weapons: including the Immobilizer and the 1/6 Resolver – new ways to combine gravity, grenades, time dilation and critical hits.
• Level cap: raised up to 36 – more room to build your character.
• New perks and flaws: more build options.
• Elysium Valley: a new region with unique quests and facilities – fresh areas to explore.
• Radio station: a new Sub Rosa station with 20 new songs.
• Direct start: a pre-made level 27 character from the main menu – get into the DLC right away.
• Respec and skill points: respec at any time, plus an adjustable skill-points-per-level option.

Availability

Side Effects Guaranteed releases on December 2. It is also available in the Premium Edition or Premium Edition Upgrade for The Outer Worlds 2. The respec update arrives for everyone at the same time. The second part of the story expansion follows in the spring of 2027.