Missions

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Missions are the main form of gameplay in Deep Rock Galactic. Missions must be selected from the Mission Select terminal, located in front of the green hologram of Hoxxes IV on the first floor of the Space Rig. When selecting a mission, the host must first select a Planetary Region, then select a mission type. Some Planetary Regions may be temporarily unavailable while Missions are being refreshed. Completing missions will yield the player both Credits and Experience. Any Crafting Materials obtained during a mission will also be awarded to the player to spend on Equipment Upgrades and Vanity items. As of update 23, the 18th song in the soundtrack "Beneath the Crust" will play on the results screen upon mission completion.

Mission Types

There are currently five mission types available to choose from. Each mission type has a different objective, generated cave systems will also vary based on mission type. Each mission type becomes available for hosting after completing the probationary period assignment.

— Mining Expedition

Main article: Mining Expedition

Mining Expeditions are the first mission available to new Miners. Mining Expedition missions are characterized by linear series of connected caves separated by dirt walls between them with a "treasure room" full of resources at the end.

The goal of a Mining Expedition mission is to collect the quota of Morkite and whatever optional Secondary Objective item has been called for.

The required quota of Morkite differs based off the mission length and complexity.

Primary Objectives:

— Collect 200 Morkite

— Collect 225 Morkite

— Collect 250 Morkite

— Collect 325/400 Morkite

Possible Secondary Objectives:
Collect 10 Alien Fossil		Collect 20 Boolo Cap
Collect 15 Apoca Bloom		Collect 25 Hollomite

Once the main objective of collecting the quota of Morkite has been met a button on the M.U.L.E. can be pressed which will call an escape pod down somewhere on the map. At this point players will have 5 minutes to make their way back to the pod and escape.

You are accompanied on the mission by the M.U.L.E. and either your Dwarven Companions (other Players) or Bosco the drone (when playing alone in a server or in Solo Mode).

— Egg Hunt

Main article: Egg Hunt

Egg Hunt missions are characterized by a central starting room with several branching paths connecting to large, irregularly shaped caverns with a few small offshoot caves connected, usually via dirt walls.

The goal is to collect Alien Eggs that are hidden within the walls throughout the cave system, along with optionally collecting an assigned Secondary Objective material. Eggs are identified by small orange blisters on the surface of the walls they are buried within, a very notable organic mass, as well as a slight purple glow emitting from the egg itself. Upon digging an Egg free from a nest, a roar will sound and a group of angry bugs will spawn.

The required amount of Alien Eggs changes based off the length level.

Primary Objectives:

— Collect 4 Alien Eggs

— Collect 6 Alien Eggs

— Collect 8 Alien Eggs

Possible Secondary Objectives:
Collect 10 Alien Fossil		Collect 20 Boolo Cap
Collect 15 Apoca Bloom		Collect 25 Hollomite

Once the main objective of collecting the quota of Alien Eggs has been met a button on the M.U.L.E. can be pressed which will call an escape pod down somewhere on the map. At this point players will have 5 minutes to make their way back to the pod and escape.

You are accompanied on the mission by the M.U.L.E. and either your Dwarven Companions (other Players) or Bosco the drone (when playing alone in a server or in Solo Mode).

— Salvage Operation

Main article: Salvage Operation

Salvage Operation is characterized by a small starting room which branches out into one giant cave with many Mini-M.U.L.E. parts lying around and a broken drop pod.

The first goal is to search the tunnels for broken mini-M.U.L.E.s, easily identifiable by either a beeping noise or a green visual beacon. Around each broken M.U.L.E. there will be up to four mini-M.U.L.E. legs, each mini-M.U.L.E only needs three legs after which they have to be repaired. Repairing each M.U.L.E. rewards the team with what it was carrying, which is always Nitra and Gold.

After the mini-M.U.L.E.s have all been repaired a button on the M.U.L.E. becomes available to press which recalls the M.U.L.E. to the drop pod. The team must then repair a communications link which, once repaired, mission control will triangulate the pod's position. During this time the team must defend themselves from a large swarm and stay within a green sphere or else the progress will slow down or even decrease. Getting downed in the sphere will count as if a player has left the area, and if the progress completely depletes this mission will instantly fail.

After triangulation is complete the team gets a breather while waiting for the Fuel Pod to drop down. After it arrives the team must link up the fuel pod to the drop pod and then defend themselves within another green sphere, which players have to stay inside of for the fuel to fill the drop pod. Once this is completed the team will be free to move anywhere but will have to hold out for an additional two minutes until the drop pod is ready to leave after which the team can finally escape.

The number of Mini-M.U.L.E. to salvage is dependent on the length of the mission.

Primary Objectives:

— Salvage 2 Mules

— Salvage 3 Mules

Possible Secondary Objectives:
Collect 10 Alien Fossil		Collect 20 Boolo Cap
Collect 15 Apoca Bloom		Collect 25 Hollomite

You are accompanied on the mission by the M.U.L.E. and either your Dwarven Companions (other Players) or Bosco the drone (when playing alone in a server or in Solo Mode). After recalling the M.U.L.E. to the broken drop pod, it will be lost for the rest of the mission (players can still deposit directly into the broken drop pod).

— Point Extraction

Main article: Point Extraction

Point Extraction missions are characterized by one large cavern that you are dropped into that has a large central mining platform dropped into the map shortly after all players have exited the Drop Pod, and an aggressive flow of enemies. The mining platform is raised from the ground, has four ramps connecting it to the ground, two central deposit points for materials, a launch button that activates the extraction phase, two headlights which slowly rotate, and four turrets each with 400 rounds of ammunition. The turrets will disappear once all of their ammo has been spent. Players should not spend too much time during point extraction missions, as the longer the player stays in the mission, the higher frequency of enemy spawns ^{[citation needed]}.

The goal is to explore the large cavern and collect blue gems called Aquarq that are hidden within the walls as well as optionally collecting an assigned Secondary Objective material. Aquarq are identified by blue flecks of crystal on the surface of the walls they are buried within, as well as a slight blue glow emitting from the gem itself. Once the gems have been unearthed, the gems must be carried back to the mining platform and deposited into one of two slots in the mining head at the center of the platform.

The number of Aquarq to collect is dependent on the length of the mission.

Primary Objectives:

— Collect 7 Aquarq

— Collect 10 Aquarq

Possible Secondary Objectives:
Collect 10 Alien Fossil		Collect 100 Dystrum
Collect 15 Apoca Bloom		Collect 25 Hollomite
Collect 20 Boolo Cap

Once the quota of Aquarq has been met, a launch button located on the mining platform will become capable of being activated. Once activated, the mine head used for depositing minerals will detach from the platform and propel itself back to the space rig via a rocket. At this point, a two minute timer will begin counting down until a drop pod arrives nearby for escape, during which swarms of enemies will attack. Once the two minute timer ends, players will have three minutes to make their way to the Escape Pod.

You are accompanied on the mission by either your Dwarven Companions (other Players) or Bosco the drone (when playing alone in a server or in Solo Mode).

This mission is unique as you are not provided with the M.U.L.E.

— Elimination

Main article: Elimination

Elimination mode is characterized by a central starting room with multiple branching interconnected tunnels and dirt paths leading from the starting room.

The goal is to search the tunnels to locate the two to three cocoons containing the mini-bosses Glyphid Dreadnought, fight and kill all Glyphid Dreadnoughts, and optionally collecting an assigned Secondary Objective material.

The number of targets to kill is based on the length and complexity of the mission.

Primary Objectives:

— Kill 2 Targets

— Kill 3 Targets

Possible Secondary Objectives:
Collect 10 Alien Fossil		Collect 20 Boolo Cap
Collect 15 Apoca Bloom		Collect 25 Hollomite

Upon successfully eliminating the Dreadnought targets, a button on the M.U.L.E. can be pressed which will call an escape pod down somewhere on the map. At this point players will have 5 minutes to make their way back to the pod and escape.

You are accompanied on the mission by the M.U.L.E. and either your Dwarven Companions (other Players) or Bosco the drone (when playing alone in a server or in Solo Mode).

— Deep Dives

Main article: Deep Dives

The Deep Dive is a collection of three missions which are pre-seeded, meaning that they will be the same layout every time you play. The missions require two primary objectives to be completed before the Drop Pod can be summoned, with Mutators having a much higher chance of occurring whereas other features such as Crafting Materials and Machine Events are disabled. All three levels must be played in sequence with each mission granting extra rewards if completed. The status of the Dwarves including each player's individual health and ammo as well as the Team Depository is carried over between missions. There are also Elite Deep Dives, which are significantly more difficult but offer better rewards.

Random Events

Cargo Crates can rarely be found and must be repaired in a similar manner to a Mini M.U.L.E. - there are two batteries encased into the ground nearby which emit a pulsing sound to assist with location. Once both batteries are inserted and the Crate is repaired, it will dispense a huge cache of crafting materials and award a Cosmetic item such as a special Mesh Weapon Skin or Victory Moves.

Main article: Cargo Crate

Machine Events are tertiary objectives which can only be activated by a promoted Dwarf. There are currently four kinds of Machine Event in the game: Ebonite Mutation, Kursite Infection, Omen Modulator Exterminator and Tritilyte Crystal. Upon completion they can be used to infuse a Blank Matrix Core with either a Weapon Overclock or a Matrix Core Cosmetics, as well as providing a Credits and XP reward to all Dwarves (even if they did not infuse a Core or if they are not promoted).

Main article: Machine Events

Mutators

Mutators were released in Update 15: Mutation Warning. Missions may have Mutators, which are special events that may modify the mission for better or worse. Warnings are negative mutators and anomalies are positive or neutral mutators. A mission currently can have at most one warning and one anomaly. Warnings will increase the Hazard Bonus from 15% up to 30%.

Warnings

Cave Leech Clusters Warning Cave Leech Clusters: Cave Leeches spawn in much higher numbers and, as the name suggests, they are usually packed together. Watch ceilings closely, or equip the Heightened Senses perk to avoid getting grabbed. This warning provides a +15% Hazard Bonus.

Exploder Infestation Warning Exploder Infestation: Every so often, a group of Glyphid Exploders will rush the Dwarves. The rushes are conducted independantly of enemy spawn rates and Swarms. Bulk Detonators also have an increased chance to appear in these missions. This warning provides a +30% Hazard Bonus.

Haunted Cave: The ghost of an angry Bulk Detonator known as the "Unknown Horror" will pursue the dwarves. It cannot be stopped or killed but it is vulnerable to some slowing effects, such as the Scout's IFG. It deals slightly reduced damage compared to a standard Bulk Detonator. This warning provides a +30% Hazard Bonus.

Lethal Enemies: All physical damage dealt by enemies is doubled. Projectile attacks from Mactera Spawn and Glyphid Acidspitters (amongst other examples) is unaffected. Keep a healthy distance from enemies such as Praetorians and Grunt Slashers. This warning provides a +25% Hazard Bonus.

Low Oxygen: These caves have toxic air, meaning the Dwarves only get a limited oxygen supply seen to the right of the screen. A full tank of O2 lasts for approximately a minute. When it runs out, the Dwarf will take rapid damage which is not blocked by Shields. Oxygen sources can be found on the Drop Pod, Resupply Pods, The Minehead and the M.U.L.E. This warning provides a +20% Hazard Bonus.

Mactera Plague: Mactera Spawn, Mactera Bombers and Mactera Grabbers make up the bulk of enemies spawned, with Glyphids and other aliens only appearing occasionally or during Swarms. Bring along highly accurate and damaging weapons such as the Powered Minigun or the M1000 Classic to quickly deal with these pests. This warning provides a +20% Hazard Bonus.

Parasites: Enemies are infected with writhing carnivorous larvae, which will burst out and attack when their hosts are killed. The parasites are comparable to a Glyphid Swarmer in terms of strength. They deal low damage and can be killed with just a swing of the Pickaxe, but are nonetheless a noteworthy foe, especially when many burst out of their hosts during Swarms. Large enemies such as Praetorians will spawn multiple parasites on death. This warning provides a +15% Hazard Bonus.

Regenerative Bugs: Any damaged enemy is capable of regenerating its health if they go without taking damage for a few seconds. Bring along weapons which can keep up pressure such as the Flamethrower or the Autocannon to prevent enemies from regenerating. This warning provides a +15% Hazard Bonus.

Shield Disruption: Shields are permanently disabled by an electric field. To compensate, the Dwarves start with increased base health and Red Sugar spawns more abundantly. The Gunner's Shield Generator functions as normal but will not restore personal shields. This warning provides a +30% Hazard Bonus.

Anomalies

Critical Weakness: Firing at an enemy's weak spot will deal five times as much damage. Highly effective against foes with giant obvious weak spots such as Praetorians and Dreadnoughts.

Double XP: At the end of a mission, the XP reward is doubled. The amount XP awarded can easily reach over 20,000 if a large amount of minerals are collected.

Gold Rush: Gold spawns in signifcantly higher quantities, with veins appearing almost double in size compared to normal spawn rates.

Golden Bugs: Every kill will drop one unit of Gold on the ground.

Low Gravity: Gravity is significantly reduced, allowing for higher jumps and making falling safer - though falling from extreme heights can still cause fall damage.

Mineral Mania: A biome's corresponding crafting resources appear more commonly.

Rich Atmosphere: Movement speed is increased by 25%, and Dwarves can sprint while carrying heavy objects such as Jadiz, Aquarq and Alien Eggs. All of the Dwarves' voices are much higher pitched, though this has no practical effect on gameplay.

Volatile Guts: When an enemy is killed it instantly explodes, causing damage to Dwarves and enemies alike. The explosive damage is lower than that from a Glyphid Exploder, but can still be lethal. Larger enemies produce larger, more damaging explosions.

Hazard Bonuses

Main article: Hazard Bonus

Each Mission will have a Hazard Bonus, a factor that Gold and Experience collected in a mission is multiplied by to reward the player for a more difficult mission.

The bonus is calculated based on the Hazard Level of a mission, Cave Complexity, Length, and any Warnings the mission has. The sum of each of these elements will be the final Hazard Bonus, which can be seen at the mission end screen.

Mission Names

Main article: Mission Names

Every Mission has a name comprising of two parts that are randomly picked from two tables of words; a "First Name" table for the first half and a "Last Name" table for the second half.