In the expansive, satirical world of The Outer Worlds, players are constantly pulled into quirky side quests that highlight the game’s unique blend of humor, danger, and deep role-playing mechanics. One such quest, ‘Fistful of Digits,’ takes players on a bounty hunt that feels like a futuristic spin on an old Western. Packed with colorful characters, moral ambiguity, and a bit of gunfire, this side quest offers more than just experience points. It offers a glimpse into the harsh justice system and corporate-influenced culture of the Halcyon colony.
Starting the Fistful of Digits Quest
Where to Find It
The quest ‘Fistful of Digits’ can be found early in the game when players arrive in Edgewater on the planet Terra 2. After entering the town and exploring a bit, players will eventually encounter Constable Reyes at the Saltuna Cannery guard headquarters. Speaking to her will open the door to this bounty-hunting quest. Reyes is a no-nonsense type who’s overwhelmed by lawlessness and eager to hand over the dirty work to someone with a few weapons and a sense of direction.
Quest Setup
Constable Reyes tasks the player with tracking down and eliminating three wanted criminals who have fled Edgewater. These targets Bertie Cotton, Guillaume Antrim, and Doc Maybell each have their own backstories and locations, spread across the surrounding wilderness. The player is handed their bounty targets on a data pad and set loose to find and deal with them however they see fit. This gives room for a range of playstyles, from direct confrontation to sneaky takedowns.
Tracking the Bounties
1. Bertie Cotton
Bertie is a former Saltuna worker with a penchant for violence. You’ll find him holed up in the region near the Botanical Lab. He’s usually surrounded by a few outlaw allies, so going in guns blazing could prove difficult. Players with stealth or persuasion may be able to thin the herd or get the drop on him. Bertie doesn’t say much he’s more brawn than brains but his death adds one more digit to the list.
2. Guillaume Antrim
Next on the list is Guillaume Antrim, arguably the most infamous of the three. Found in a cave outside of Edgewater, he’s another bandit-type who has turned to violence and theft. Guillaume is slightly more talkative, and players can use dialogue options to gather more details about the circumstances of his crimes. In some cases, if you have high enough persuasion or intimidation skills, you might gain more information or even approach the confrontation differently.
3. Doc Maybell
The final target, Doc Maybell, is perhaps the most morally ambiguous. Once a legitimate doctor, she turned outlaw for reasons that aren’t entirely clear. Her hideout is less fortified than the others, but the emotional impact of taking her down may linger longer. Some players argue she was justified in her actions, making her inclusion on the bounty list questionable. This touches on The Outer Worlds’ broader themes of corruption, control, and who gets to define ‘justice.’
Quest Rewards and Outcomes
Turning in the Fingers
After eliminating each target, the player collects a symbolic ‘digit’ essentially a finger from each bounty. It’s a grim reminder of how bounty hunting works in the Halcyon colony. Once you return to Constable Reyes with all three digits, she will commend your efficiency and offer a few rewards. These typically include bits (the in-game currency), a solid chunk of experience, and sometimes a unique weapon or armor piece depending on your interactions and choices throughout the quest.
Reputation Impact
Although it might seem like a straightforward quest, ‘Fistful of Digits’ has subtle impacts on your reputation. Dealing with outlaws boosts your standing with Spacer’s Choice, but some players may feel uneasy about helping a clearly corrupt corporation enforce its laws. As with many things in The Outer Worlds, the choice to participate and how you participate carries narrative weight.
Thematic Depth of the Quest
Corporate Justice and Moral Gray Areas
On the surface, ‘Fistful of Digits’ is a simple bounty hunt. But dig deeper, and you’ll uncover layers of social commentary. Why are these people considered criminals? What led them to rebellion or violence? In a world where corporations make the rules and define crimes, the idea of ‘law’ becomes blurry. Players are pushed to think critically about who they’re helping and what that says about their role in the larger system.
Symbolism of the Digits
The very idea of collecting fingers as proof of success carries heavy symbolic weight. It dehumanizes the targets, reducing them to trophies. It also reflects the cold, transactional nature of Halcyon’s legal system justice isn’t about truth, it’s about results and appearances. This bleak outlook is a recurring motif throughout The Outer Worlds, and this quest encapsulates it perfectly.
Tips for Completing the Quest
- Upgrade Your Stealth or Persuasion: Some confrontations can be avoided or altered with high enough dialogue skills.
- Don’t Rush: Explore each target’s location carefully. There are often hidden caches or lore tidbits nearby.
- Bring Companions: Characters like Parvati or Felix may comment on the morality of your actions, adding flavor to the experience.
- Loot Everything: In typical Outer Worlds fashion, each outlaw’s hideout contains valuable items and crafting materials.
How Fistful of Digits Enhances The Outer Worlds
Blending Humor With Tragedy
Like many side quests in the game, ‘Fistful of Digits’ balances absurdity with somber themes. The idea of being handed a job to kill three people and literally bring back parts of their bodies sounds dark, but the quest is peppered with dry humor and odd interactions that keep it from becoming too grim. It’s this balance that makes the quest, and the game as a whole, stand out in the RPG genre.
Expanding the World-Building
This side quest doesn’t just pad the game with extra content it actively expands the world. Through the criminals’ notes, hideouts, and dialogues, players get a clearer picture of life in the Halcyon colony. You see how people fall through the cracks and what happens when they resist corporate control. It’s storytelling done through action, exploration, and consequences.
Fistful of Digits
‘Fistful of Digits’ is one of those side quests that may seem minor in scope but leaves a lasting impression. It combines the best elements of The Outer Worlds: dark satire, moral complexity, and engaging gameplay. Whether you play as a ruthless enforcer or a reluctant participant, the quest challenges you to think about what justice means in a world where corporations decide everything. For players exploring Terra 2 and seeking experiences beyond the main storyline, this bounty mission is a perfect example of why side content in The Outer Worlds is worth diving into. It’s more than just digits it’s a finger pointed at the system itself.