How do I start side quests in Echoes of Aincrad?

Side quests begin three ways: talking to NPCs in towns (especially Urbus and Marone), picking up trinkets near safe areas in the overworld, and activating Hidden Terminals that unlock related objectives. Check every quest board and safe-area trinket as you move through a region.

Are side quests worth doing in Echoes of Aincrad?

Yes. Beyond Exp, Col, and materials, many side quests reward unique MOD blueprints (Journey Pants, Silver Alloy Gauntlets, Plate of Revival, Fleury Coat, Bullet Gloves) and permanent upgrades like an extra Healing Crystal charge. Several also open sealed paths that help during Main Quests.

Are any side quests missable?

Several are gated. Some require a prior side quest to be finished first (for example, Suspicion needs Bride-to-Be, and Top of the Ladder needs A Woman's Intuition), and others start from trinkets behind Seals that need a Gold Crystal. Do side quests before advancing major story gates so you do not lock yourself out.

Do side quests count toward 100 percent completion and trophies?

Yes. The achievement and trophy tracking groups 'complete side quests' as one of the four core pillars of 100 percent completion, alongside equipment, databases, and bosses. Partner trophies (Kirito, Asuna, Agil, Silica, Lisbeth, Klein) and the final Nameless Hero trophy all depend on thorough side-content completion.

What are the best side quest rewards?

The five unique MOD blueprints are the standouts: Journey Pants (Dodge Protection), Silver Alloy Gauntlets (Cursed Assailant), Plate of Revival (Turtle Shell), Fleury Coat (Battle Recovery), and Bullet Gloves (Compatibility). The Healing Crystals upgrade from Wayfarer's Woe is also a quiet power boost worth grabbing early.

Quests·Updated August 2026

Echoes of Aincrad — Side Quests

Every side quest in Echoes of Aincrad, grouped by region with its location, prerequisite, objective, and rewards. 24 quests across Town of Beginnings, Horunka, Tolbana, Urbus, Marone, and the sealed overworld — including the unique MOD blueprints you only get from side content.

Echoes of Aincrad artwork showing the Aincrad castle — Completion Pillar
Side quests hand out unique MOD blueprints, Healing Crystal upgrades, and sealed-path unlocks the main story never gives you.

How to Start Side Quests

·Talk to NPCs and read every quest board in each town — Urbus and Marone in particular hide long quest chains behind a single opening quest.
·Keep a Gold Crystal in your pouch. Several side quests start from trinkets locked behind Seals, and you cannot reach them without one.
·Activate Hidden Terminals whenever you find them. Many side quests (and sealed paths) only appear after a terminal is switched on.
·Side quests often open Seals that stay open when you return during a Main Quest, smoothing your story progression.
·Some rewards (like the Healing Crystals upgrade from Wayfarer's Woe) permanently improve your kit — do these before tough boss fights.

Town of Beginnings

2 quests

The starting hub. A couple of early side quests here unlock the Sword Skill leveling function and a key Floor 1 terminal.

Quest	Location / Prerequisite	Objective	Rewards
Field TripDuring Main Quest	Town of BeginningsAvailable during the main quest	Defeat Illfang the Kobold Lord and activate the Hidden Terminal.	Exp 200, High Flame Stone x3, Tempered Steel x1
Thrill of the UnknownDuring Main Quest	Town of BeginningsReach Proficiency 10 with any weapon	Complete the Teardrop Cave dungeon.	Exp 200, Mine x3, Sword Skill Leveling function unlocked

Horunka

1 quests

The second major settlement. Its side quest feeds into the Ancient Ritual Hall dungeon loop shared with Urbus.

Quest	Location / Prerequisite	Objective	Rewards
Miracle CureAfter Main Quest	HorunkaActivate the Hidden Terminal northwest of Rubas Highway safe area (already active if you completed Heartbeat)	Complete the Ancient Ritual Hall dungeon.	Exp 200, High Flame Mine x3, Tempered Steel x1

Tolbana

3 quests

Side quests here chain into the Vialno Cave and Millenium Palace dungeons and hand out two unique MOD blueprints.

Quest	Location / Prerequisite	Objective	Rewards
Bride-to-BeAfter Main Quest	TolbanaComplete Field Trip	Complete the Millenium Palace.	Exp 200, High Healing Potion x5, Fleury Coat Blueprint (Battle Recovery: gradually restores HP during combat)
SuspicionAfter Main Quest	TolbanaComplete Bride-to-Be and activate the Hidden Terminal near Western Primordial Sands safe area	Complete the Vialno Cave dungeon.	Exp 200, High SP Potion x5, Bullet Gloves Blueprint (Compatibility: increases combo SP gained and Combination Skill damage)
TruthAfter Main Quest	TolbanaComplete Suspicion	Defeat the Trampling Ox.	Exp 200, Pure Spirit Crystal x1, (tap to reveal)

Urbus

12 quests

The largest hub for side content. Most Urbus quests unlock progressively and feed the Soldiers' Stronghold, Ancient Ritual Hall, and various overworld boss fights.

Quest	Location / Prerequisite	Objective	Rewards
Demi-Human DestructionAfter Main Quest	UrbusComplete Lord of the Plains	Defeat waves of Shrewman and the Shrewman Queen.	Exp 200, High Mine x3, Journey Pants Blueprint (Dodge Protection: increases DEF and status resistance temporarily after dodging)
A Woman's IntuitionDuring Main Quest	UrbusComplete Kit for Tat	Defeat the Bulbous Bao.	Exp 200, High Bomb Stone x3, Col 20000
Dream EncounterKeepsake	UrbusActivate the Hidden Terminal near Sorrowful Forest Road safe area (likely active if you completed A Duelist's Dilemma)	Complete the Soldiers' Stronghold dungeon.	Exp 200, High Poison Stone x3, Plate of Revival Blueprint (Turtle Shell: greatly increases DEF after taking damage, temporary)
KeepsakeAfter Keepsake chain	UrbusAvailable from the Urbus quest board	Defeat the Wrathful Shrewman, the Elite Kobold, and the Shrewman Queen.	Exp 200, High Healing Potion x5, Col 6000
FriendshipRenown	UrbusComplete Keepsake	Defeat the Fanged Mountain Spirit and the Thorncrown Mountain Spirit.	Exp 200, High SP Potion x5, Col 6000
RenownAfter Main Quest · Black Swordsman II	UrbusComplete Friendship	Defeat the Large Nepenthes.	Exp 200, Pure Mystic Crystal x1, (tap to reveal)
Fabled FoodAfter Fabled Food chain	UrbusAvailable from the Urbus quest board	Defeat the Moonback Grizzly.	Exp 200, High Healing Potion x5, Col 6000
WorriesAfter Worries chain	UrbusComplete Fabled Food	Defeat the Raging Boar.	Exp 200, High SP Potion x5, Col 6000
Years TogetherAfter Main Quest	UrbusComplete Worries	Complete the Soldiers' Stronghold dungeon.	Exp 200, Pure Might Crystal x1, (tap to reveal)
HeartbeatAfter Heartbeat chain	UrbusActivate the Hidden Terminal northwest of Rubas Highway safe area during the Cliffside Marvel main quest	Complete the Ancient Ritual Hall dungeon.	Exp 200, High Healing Potion x5, Col 6000
ResponsibilityAfter Responsibility chain	UrbusComplete Heartbeat	Defeat waves of Kobolds and the Kobold Champion.	Exp 200, High SP Potion x5, Col 6000
TrustAfter Main Quest	UrbusComplete Responsibility	Defeat the Thousand Spears Spine.	Exp 200, Pure Bond Crystal x1, (tap to reveal)

Marone

2 quests

Late-game hub. Its quests build on earlier chains (A Woman's Intuition) and the Neveca's Sanctuary dungeon.

Quest	Location / Prerequisite	Objective	Rewards
Top of the LadderAfter Main Quest	MaroneComplete A Woman's Intuition	Complete Neveca's Sanctuary.	Exp 200, High Frost Mine x3, Col 10000
Mother DearAfter Mother Dear chain	MaroneAvailable from the Marone quest board	Defeat waves of Baos and the Bulbous Bao.	Exp 200, High Numbing Mine x3, Tempered Steel x1

Overworld & Sealed Areas

4 quests

These quests begin from trinkets found near safe areas (sometimes behind Seals that need a Gold Crystal) rather than from a town NPC.

Quest	Location / Prerequisite	Objective	Rewards
The Lost LogAfter The Lost Log	Elfa Maze Mountain — Western Peak safe areaFind the trinket near the safe area	Complete the Teardrop Cave dungeon.	Exp 200, Eyedrops x3, Col 4000
The Cost of CarelessnessAfter Main Quest	Northern Lada Highlands safe area (needs Blink Talisman)Find the trinket near the safe area	Defeat the Throncrown Mountain Spirit.	Exp 200, Might Crystal x1, Tempered Steel x1
The Sealed TreasuryAfter Main Quest · Black Swordsman I	Vialno Cave — Western Primordial Sands safe area (behind a Seal)Find the trinket and activate the Hidden Terminal behind the Seal	Complete the Vialno Cave dungeon.	Exp 200, High Poison Mine x3, Silver Alloy Gauntlets Blueprint (Cursed Assailant: enemies become more susceptible to status effects)
Wayfarer's WoeAfter Main Quest · Seeking Hope	Northern Primordial Sands safe area (behind a Seal)Find the trinket behind a Seal	Complete Neveca's Sanctuary.	Exp 200, High Frost Stone x3, Healing Crystals (increases reusable healing items by one)

Unique MOD Blueprints From Side Quests

These equipment blueprints only drop from side quests. Each carries a unique MOD you cannot get from the Smithy's standard crafting pool, so they are worth prioritizing for any build that wants the effect.

Journey Pants

Dodge Protection — increases DEF and status effect resistance temporarily after dodging

From: Demi-Human Destruction

Silver Alloy Gauntlets

Cursed Assailant — enemies become more susceptible to status effects

From: The Sealed Treasury

Plate of Revival

Turtle Shell — greatly increases DEF after taking damage (temporary)

From: Dream Encounter

Fleury Coat

Battle Recovery — gradually restores HP during combat

From: Bride-to-Be

Bullet Gloves

Compatibility — increases combo SP gained and Combination Skill damage

From: Suspicion

Planning Your 100 Percent Run?

Side quests feed straight into completion. Track them alongside the achievement list, and use the loot to fund your Smithy upgrades.

Achievements & Trophies →Smithy & Upgrades →Items & Materials →

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I start side quests?

Through town NPCs, overworld trinkets near safe areas, and Hidden Terminals. Check every quest board and safe-area trinket as you clear a region.

Are they worth doing?

Yes — unique MOD blueprints, a permanent Healing Crystal upgrade, Col, and materials. They also open sealed paths used by Main Quests.

Do they count toward 100 percent completion?

Yes. "Complete side quests" is one of the four core pillars of completion, and partner trophies plus the final Nameless Hero trophy depend on them.

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