All 17 Secondary Objectives in Gears of War: E-Day are found in the open areas of Acts 2, 3, and 4. Below, we explain where to find each one, when it appears during the story, and how to complete the rescue, defense, and cargo objectives.
Where to find every Secondary Objective
The side missions are spread across four campaign chapters. The open areas unlock gradually, so some requests for help only become available after specific story events. We recommend checking the list whenever the main objective changes and exploring nearby streets before leaving a district. Completing every Secondary Objective in the campaign on any difficulty unlocks the Side Piece achievement.
Act 2, Chapter 2 - Hold the Line. Seven objectives, numbers 1-7 in this guide.
Act 3, Chapter 3 - Last Foothold. Three objectives, numbers 8-10.
Act 4, Chapter 1 - Hope and Ruin. Three objectives, numbers 11-13.
Act 4, Chapter 3 - Tough as Nails. Four objectives, numbers 14-17.
When you get close to a Secondary Objective, listen for shouting, gunfire, or squad dialogue suggesting that you investigate. Approach the interaction point and accept the objective before starting the fight. After clearing the enemies, wait for the closing conversation or complete the final interaction, such as opening a container or gate. Mods earned from these activities can be equipped at Supply Caches.
Act 2, Chapter 2 - seven Secondary Objectives
1. The Vanguard
After obtaining the map and clearing the road near the gas station, look for the Victory car dealership east of Oria Stadium. Approach the COG soldier and accept the request for help. Eliminate the Locust attacking around the dealership and parking lot, including enemies near the emergence hole. We recommend taking a position with a clear view across the parking area so you can see reinforcements approaching. The rewards include the Bayonet for the Hammerburst and the Cover Brace for the Lancer.
2. Trapped Family
Travel to the Last Dollar store west of Octus Way Station. A rescue sequence begins in the parking lot. Clear the enemies, raise the shutter on the right, and enter the store. Use the button behind the counter to open access to the trapped family, then wait for the conversation to finish. The rewards include the Bayonet for the Gnasher and the Precision Long Barrel for the Breechshot.
3. Apartment SOS
The apartment is east of Octus Tribunal. If you are looking for the alternate entrance, use the scaffolding and open window. Inside, use the room with the book near the refrigerator as a landmark. Speak to the two residents and accept their request. Open the route toward the stairwell and eliminate the attackers. The rewards include mods for the Disruptor and Breechshot.
4. Lost in Translation
After the Amberstone warehouse story sequence, enter Major Burger between the bank and warehouse districts. Two workers inside need help. Accept the objective and escort them toward shelter while clearing enemies along the route. We recommend securing each nearby section before letting the civilians move into active combat. The rewards include a Laser for the Lancer and the Melee Stunner armor mod.
5. Family Reunion
Check for this objective while the main story tells you to rendezvous with Charlie Squad. From the construction site, move south toward Shelter 13 near Victory Plaza. Accept the civilians' request and defend the shelter from the Locust attack. After the final enemy is dead, wait for the closing dialogue before continuing toward Charlie Squad. The rewards include mods for the Injector and Prototype Lancer.
6. Black Raven Down
While searching for Whiskey Squad, find the crashed Raven and the Major Burger northwest of the Kalona Hotel. Inside, approach the Gear standing beside his fallen comrade to start the objective. Defend the area until all attackers are dead. Between waves, check the surrounding approaches so you have time to move to better cover. Rewards include the Proximity Reload armor mod and Overcharged Ammo for the Gut-Puncher.
7. Lone Wolf
After clearing the courtyard, return toward Monroe Library. Look for the residential building to the left of the library steps, north of the Kalona Hotel. Accept the objective near the elevator shaft and climb the cable to reach the wounded sniper. Help the Gear and repel the attack until the mission completes. Rewards include the Deep Pockets armor mod and Full Metal Jacket for the Hammerburst. You can also find collectible COG Tags nearby.
Act 3, Chapter 3 - three Secondary Objectives
8. Weak Signal
Look for the loading area across the road from the police station, south of Landa Memorial Hospital. Head to the far-right side of the loading zone and accept the objective. Locust attack after it begins, and you need to eliminate them to complete the defense. We recommend choosing cover with a visible escape route before starting because the fight takes place in a fairly confined space. The rewards include an armor mod and a Lancer Mk1 mod.
9. Lost in the Park
This objective becomes available after helping load the convoy and encountering the flying Spore Matrons for the first time. Near the Kalona Hotel, check the route into the park beside Shelter 09. Accept the request, pass through the doors into the park, and clear the area. Find the civilian beneath the steps near the entrance to complete the rescue. Before leaving, you can also inspect the road beyond the gate for a collectible helmet connected to this route.
10. Rooftop Mayday
After the hotel story section, check the area southeast of Landa Memorial Hospital. Look for a gate with a red tarp and distress signal, then climb the stairs. Clear the rooftop, including the Reaver, and open the gate to finish the rescue. We recommend checking that the objective updates before climbing back down so you know the final interaction registered correctly. The rewards include a Striga mod and an armor mod.
Act 4, Chapter 1 - three Secondary Objectives
11. Missing Convoy
In the southern part of Cooper Commons, look for a survivor calling from a balcony above the arches. Approach the objective marker and agree to help after hearing what happened to the convoy. Defeat the flying Spore Matrons and the remaining Locust to complete the mission. We recommend keeping a weapon that is comfortable for hitting moving targets at range. Rewards include the Mobile Targeting Laser for the Torque Bow and the Braced Capacitor.
12. R.I.G. Experiment
In the western part of Kalona Square, check the university building. Inside is a device you can interact with to start the objective. Activate it and defend against the attacking Locust until the experiment finishes. Restock ammunition before starting and check the entrances so you can choose a good defensive position. The rewards include Blood Mag and Overpacked for the Hammerburst.
13. Clocktower Defense
Face the main entrance of Spirit Opera House and follow the road to the right along the building. The clocktower and its Secondary Objective are on this side. Pass beneath the stone arch, speak to the Gear, and use the mounted machine gun to defend the street. Keep fighting until the waves end and the objective completes. One confirmed reward is the Holographic Sight for the Snub.
Act 4, Chapter 3 - four Secondary Objectives
14. Special Cargo
In the Gavel Dockyard area, find the workers and the man in a yellow hard hat beside the vegetation-covered railing. Accept the objective, clear enemies along the active route, and reach the special cargo container near the helipad. You need to open the container to finish the mission. The radio gives the code 1548, after which you should interact with the access panel. The reward includes two Longshot mods, and the container also holds a collectible.
15. Fire in the Hole
From the area near the Special Cargo container, look left and upward. Climb into the elevated building using the crates or stairs and accept the request for help. From the upper level, eliminate the enemies appearing below while protecting the survivor. We recommend staying where you can clearly see the approaches to the NPC and shifting position if cover blocks your shots. Rewards include Incendiary Rounds for the Gut-Puncher and Ripper.
16. Trapped Locust
In the center of the rail yard, find the building with the wooden walkway. Climb to the upper floor and interact with the controls to begin the objective and bring the train car into position. You have time to prepare before releasing the Locust trapped inside. We recommend taking a position where you can cover the car door while still having room to retreat. Release the enemies and kill them all to finish the mission. Rewards include an additional Incinerator slot and Springloaded Mag.
17. Death from Above
First complete the main story objective at the power plant and restore electricity. Then return to the Seradyne Armadillo factory and climb to the roof for the Secondary Objective. Restart the assembly-line console and help the civilians by eliminating the attackers. We recommend doing this before the chapter's final transition so the district remains accessible. Rewards include Torque Bow and Hammerburst mods, including the Torque Regulator.
How to unlock Side Piece and check for missing objectives
The Side Piece achievement is awarded for completing every Secondary Objective in the campaign and is worth 15 Gamerscore. It can be earned on any difficulty, so choose whichever mode is most convenient when cleaning up missed objectives. Use the War Journal to check Act totals and return to the relevant chapter through chapter select. When replaying, local objectives may appear available again even if your overall progress is already saved, so use the final Act counter to identify what is actually missing.If you are missing one objective in Act 2, check Family Reunion at Shelter 13 and the later Lone Wolf objective. In Act 3, pay special attention to Lost in the Park and Rooftop Mayday. In Act 4, do not miss the return trip to the factory after restoring power. These checks help narrow a missing objective down to the story stage where it becomes available.
