Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

iTechGuides is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more

Gears of War: E-Day has 17 reported campaign Secondary Objectives: seven in Act 2, three in Act 3, and seven in Act 4. This guide gives the landmark, unlock timing where known, and completion cue for each. Named rewards are confirmed only for the seven Act 2 missions; the available guides do not itemize rewards for the other ten.

How many Secondary Objectives are there?

Current walkthroughs report 17 campaign Secondary Objectives across Acts 2–4, with none reported in Acts 1 or 5. The campaign is mainly linear, but its larger Kalona areas have optional routes where these side missions appear. Xbox says optional missions add story context and often provide a weapon mod, but that general description does not guarantee a particular reward for every objective. Xbox’s launch guide describes the general reward pattern; the locations below come from independent walkthroughs, not an official route map.

Act 2 — Chapter 2: Hold the Line

All seven Act 2 objectives have named rewards listed by TechWiser. Complete them while moving through the relevant district; some unlock only after the nearby story objective advances.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

1. The Vanguard

Where: The opening commercial area around the car dealership and gas station. After collecting the map and the truck moves, speak to the COG soldier. Complete it: Destroy the E-Hole and defeat the attackers. Listed rewards: Bayonet (Hammerburst) and Cover Brace (Lancer Mk1).

#1 Best Overall
Gears of War: E-Day | Standard Edition | XBOX Series X
  • AN ORIGIN STORY BEGINS — Fight alongside Marcus Fenix and Dom Santiago in the gripping origin story of Emergence Day, as the Locust Horde erupts from below.
  • A DARKER, GRITTIER THREAT — Face reimagined enemies and a terrifying underground invasion that restores the fear, dread, and intensity at the heart of the Gears of War series.
  • MULTIPLAYER EVOLVED — Battle in Horde Siege for large‑scale PvE action or prove your skill in refined Versus PvP with greater precision and competitive depth.
  • CLASSIC COMBAT, MODERNIZED — Experience signature cover‑based gameplay enhanced with updated movement, traversal, and controls that feel like Gears while playing like something new.
  • CO‑OP YOUR WAY — Play online with up to four players across Campaign, Horde Siege, and Versus, or team up locally with 2‑player split‑screen co‑op on console.

2. Trapped Family

Where: The Last Dollar parking area and store. Complete it: Clear the attackers, raise the shutter on the right, go behind the counter, and press the button by the register to rescue the family. Listed rewards: Precision Long Barrel (Breechshot) and Bayonet (Gnasher).

3. Apartment SOS

Where: The apartment building marked with a HELP banner. Complete it: Reach the upper apartment, help the survivors, breach the exit, then clear the stairway route so they can get downstairs. Listed rewards: Grounded Capacitor (Sonic Disruptor) and Cover Brace (Breechshot).

4. Lost in Translation

Where: Major Burger near the police station. It becomes available after the Amberstone Storage Facility section, while the story objective is Find Mags’ Meds. Complete it: Speak to the two civilians and escort both through the Locust ambushes until they reach the shelter. Listed rewards: Melee Stunner and Laser (Lancer Mk1).

Free tools Windows power users keep installed

One-click scans. No signup required.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

5. Family Reunion

Where: Shelter 13. Complete it: After the Mags’ meds story sequence, accept and finish the shelter defense before linking up with Charlie Squad. Wait for the completion dialogue. Listed rewards: Adrenaline Injector Mod Slot, Adrenal Cascade (Adrenaline Injector), and Overpacked Mag (Prototype Lancer).

6. Black Raven Down

Where: Major Burger beneath the overhead rail near the Kalona Hotel district. The walkthrough places it after reaching the Octus Tribunal Muster Point. Complete it: Speak to the wounded Gear and defeat the attackers. Listed rewards: Proximity Reload and Overcharged Ammo (Gut-Puncher).

Rank #2
Gears of War E-Day | Premium Edition | XBOX Series X|S and Windows Digital
  • PREMIUM EDITION — Includes Bravo Squad Signature Weapon Pack, five Seasonal Customization Packs starting with the Emergence Pack, plus 1,000 Iron to unlock additional in‑game content.
  • AN ORIGIN STORY BEGINS — Fight alongside Marcus Fenix and Dom Santiago in the gripping origin story of Emergence Day, as the Locust Horde erupts from below.
  • A DARKER, GRITTIER THREAT — Face reimagined enemies and a terrifying underground invasion that restores the fear, dread, and intensity at the heart of the Gears of War series.
  • MULTIPLAYER EVOLVED — Battle in Horde Siege for large‑scale PvE action or prove your skill in refined Versus PvP with greater precision and competitive depth.
  • CLASSIC COMBAT, MODERNIZED — Experience signature cover‑based gameplay enhanced with updated movement, traversal, and controls that feel like Gears while playing like something new.

7. Lone Wolf

Where: The library-side apartments, at the elevator. Return after the courtyard main objective activates the elevator, then reach the upper floors. Complete it: Help the stranded sniper defeat the Locust. Listed rewards: Deep Pockets and Full Metal Jacket (Hammerburst).

Act 3 — Chapter 3: Last Foothold

The three reported Act 3 objectives are in the police-station, hotel, and hospital areas. Current guides give locations and completion actions but do not establish named rewards for these missions.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

8. Weak Signal

Where: The loading bay across from the police station, near the hospital. Complete it: Enter the rear-right area and hold the position against incoming Locust until the defense finishes.

9. Lost in the Park

Where: The park by the Kalona Hotel. It follows the convoy-loading story section and Spore Matron encounter. Complete it: Enter the park, clear the Locust, and finish helping the civilian below the steps.

Rank #3
Gears of War 3 (Renewed)
  • Disc only. Original case and manual not included. Will come packaged in a generic case.
  • This renewed game has been cleaned, tested, and shows minimal wear.

10. Rooftop Mayday

Where: The red-tarpaulin gate southeast of Landa Memorial Hospital. The route appears late in the chapter. Complete it: Climb to the rooftop, defeat the enemies—including the Reaver—complete the rescue, and wait for the objective completion.

Act 4 — Chapter 1: Hope and Ruin

Three objectives are reported in this chapter. Do not leave the district or commit to the next story route until the relevant defense or encounter registers as complete.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

11. Missing Convoy

Where: The ground-floor arches in Cooper Commons. Complete it: Accept the task, defeat the Spore Matrons and remaining Locust, and wait for the completion notice before leaving the district.

12. R.I.G.S. Experiment

Where: The building behind the courtyard associated with Dale Maddoc’s tags, around Kalona Square and Cooper Commons. Complete it: Activate the experiment machine and defend it until the test finishes.

13. Clocktower Defense

Where: The clocktower on the road beside the Opera House. Complete it: Accept the defense and defeat the attacking waves before taking the Opera House story route.

Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Support on Ko-Fi

Act 4 — Chapter 3: Tough as Nails

Four more reported objectives take place around Gavel Dockyard, the Control Tower, the rail yard, and the factory.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

14. Special Cargo

Where: Gavel Dockyard, near the workers and cargo route. Complete it: Clear the Locust, follow the active marker, and open the cargo container. The route also provides access to an Imulsion Blast Charge collectible, according to the walkthrough.

15. Fire in the Hole

Where: A raised building near the helipad, east of the Control Tower. Complete it: Reach the upper position and eliminate the Locust below until the mission completes.

Best Value
Gears of War 3
  • This item does not work outside US. We cannot guarantee compatibility. You can contact the call center for more information on compatibility.
  • Enthralling cinematic story. Experience the epic finale to the Gears of War trilogy
  • Unparalleled gameplay
  • One of the definitive multiplayer experiences on Xbox LIVE
  • Gears of War 3 pushes the envelope for stunning visuals on Xbox 360

16. Trapped Locust

Where: The first-floor train controls in the central rail-yard building. Complete it: Bring the carriage over, prepare, release and defeat the Locust, then wait for completion. The guide notes an opened carriage and Hard Case route.

17. Death from Above

Where: The Seradyne/Armadillo factory rooftop. It becomes available after the power-plant and restore-power objective. Complete it: Return to the roof, clear the enemies, and finish before taking the final Control Tower route.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

Which rewards are confirmed?

TechWiser names rewards for the seven Act 2 objectives above. Its reward coverage is partial: other current walkthroughs report the wider total of 17 objectives, but do not establish a named reward for the remaining ten. Treat those rewards as unconfirmed rather than assuming each mission grants a specific mod. Horde Siege rewards described separately by TechWiser—Weapon Parts, Perks, and Energy—are not campaign Secondary Objective rewards. Xbox’s statement that optional missions often provide a weapon mod is a broad description, not a mission-by-mission reward list.

How to avoid missing an objective

  • Finish optional tasks before leaving the current open district or crossing a major story transition.
  • If an objective is not available on your first visit, advance the nearby main objective and revisit its landmark; story progress can gate access.
  • After a defense, rescue, escort, or interaction, wait for the completion notification or concluding dialogue before moving on.
  • For the achievement, complete every campaign Secondary Objective on any difficulty. Xbox lists the achievement as Side Piece: “Complete every Secondary Objective in the Campaign on any difficulty.” Xbox Wire’s achievement list states the requirement.

The location and timing directions in this guide are based on independent walkthroughs and may differ if a patch changes a route or landmark. For a broader overview of the campaign’s optional paths and mission context, see Xbox Wire’s launch guide.

Quick Recap

Bestseller No. 3
Gears of War 3 (Renewed)
Gears of War 3 (Renewed)
Disc only. Original case and manual not included. Will come packaged in a generic case.; This renewed game has been cleaned, tested, and shows minimal wear.
$14.17
Bestseller No. 5
Gears of War 3
Gears of War 3
Enthralling cinematic story. Experience the epic finale to the Gears of War trilogy; Unparalleled gameplay
$3.81

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.