The Outer Worlds 2 First DLC Side Effects Guaranteed Launches December 2 for $14.99

The expansion opens with a distress signal that draws the Commander and the crew of the Incognito to a derelict ship, where the crew is in suspended animation. A video message from the captain explains they were contaminated during a heist with something that causes explosive cell death unless they find a cure. The trail leads to Gordon Hazen, a leading agent of Sub Rosa, a criminal organization that steals from the factions instead of working for them. Hazen sends the Commander to Elysium Valley, a new region on Eden and home to a settlement of former Protectorate subjects forgotten by their leaders. Another Sub Rosa agent, Algernon Lankester, wants to exploit the settlement for his own gain, and the fate of the subjects, the frozen crew and the future of Sub Rosa itself is left to the player. The DLC takes place just before the end of the main game.

Alongside the new region, players will face new threats, including vicious canids and primal sprats, oversized versions of the small creatures from Arcadia. The level cap rises from 30 to 36, adding three more perk slots, with 15 new perks to choose from and four new flaws that trade power for risk. One flaw, Lethally Tolerant, raises maximum toxicity from built-up chemical resistance, but a Toxicity Crash kills the Commander instantly. Another, Must Have Been the Wind, marks an assassination target: killing it grants a 20 percent damage and speed buff until combat ends, while failing, or hitting the wrong target, applies a 10 percent penalty for 30 seconds. The DLC also adds new weapons, armor and outfits for every companion, plus a Sub Rosa-run radio station with 20 new songs. Players who want to jump straight in can start from the main menu with a pre-made level 27 character, assign skill points and perks, and begin the DLC right away.

Side Effects Guaranteed launches December 2 for $14.99, or as part of the Premium Edition and Premium Edition Upgrade. It is the first half of a two-part story, with the second chapter due in spring 2027, and Obsidian says choices made in this chapter will directly affect the next one. A free update arriving the same day is open to all players, whether or not they buy the DLC: it lets players respec their character at any time, and adds a custom game option to adjust how many skill points are earned per level. The Outer Worlds 2 launched October 29, 2025, on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S and PC.

The Outer Worlds 2: Side Effects Guaranteed launches December 2.